How do i apply...

Question

Hi, please help.
how do I apply the code below to a date field in a jsp form that connects to a MySQL database?
i want to call the below so when the form is submitted the date is checked.
<%!
public static boolean checkDate(String inDate, String dateFormat) {
    int dateFormatLength = dateFormat.length();
    try {
      if (inDate.length() != dateFormatLength)
        throw new Exception();
      else {
        SimpleDateFormat format = new SimpleDateFormat(dateFormat);
        format.setLenient(false);
        Date theDate = new Date();
        theDate = format.parse(inDate);
        return true;
    catch(Exception e) {
      return false;
public static boolean checkDate(String inDate) {
    String dateFormat = "yyyy/MM/dd";
    int dateFormatLength = dateFormat.length();
    try {
      if (inDate.length() != dateFormatLength)
        throw new Exception();
      else {
        SimpleDateFormat format = new SimpleDateFormat(dateFormat);
        format.setLenient(false);
        Date theDate = new Date();
        theDate = format.parse(inDate);
        return true;
    catch(Exception e) {
      return false;
%>

Answer 1

To check a form field, you would do something like:
<%
String formDate = request.getParameter("yourDateFieldName");
if(formDate != null && checkDate(formDate)) {
// date is ok - you can update database
} else{
// invalid or null date - notify user
%>