Handle Date format in a dynamic way

Question

Hi Experts,
I need to handle the date format in a dynamic way in different systems.
Sample Scenario:
In my DEV system i am writing a select query where i need to validate the date field which is of the format 12/31/9999.
select * from <table> where date = '12/31/9999'.
This gets relevant records & works fine in DEV system.
But when it goes to QA system the same select query fails to fetch data as the date format is 12.31.9999.
select * from <table>
where date = '12/31/9999'. --> Fails
Similarly when it is PRD system (production) the same select query fails as the date format is 12-31-9999.
select * from <table>
where date = '12/31/9999'. --> Fails
Please post your suggestions.
Thanks
Dany

Answer 1

If you are looking at the date from SE16, or some other output screen, dates are converted to what is referred to as external format. But when they are stored, they are stored in internal format which is always YYYYMMDD. So when you are doing a SELECT from database table using a date field in your WHERE clause, you have to use internal format of the date (YYYYMMDD). When you output a date that you extracted onto a screen using WRITE statement, it will be converted to external format depending on user format specifications. But the date will be in internal format within your program, so if you are transferring a date from the database directly to a file, you are transferring it as YYYYMMDD. If you need it in external format, then you have to use WRITE...TO... option. See help on WRITE command.