In response to the on-going "how do we
handle dates in a computer database"
dialogue...

Robert Baron <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>> I can send you (and other museum-l
>> readers) a copy of a set of codes I
>> developed that may be incorporated into
>> simple database systems that cover a
>> broad range of date recording situations.

Robert,

I'd be interested in receiving a copy
(electronically, if posisble).  We, too,
grapple with the date issue.  When our
objects can be "ca. 250 B.C.," or "2nd - 3rd
century A.D.," or "Hellenistic," it gets a
might confusing.

We also have a series of year/month/day
values (earliest, latest, and a special fast
search field), as well as a narrative,
"display date" field.  We approximate as
best we can with the numeric values (BTW,
they are not mandatory), and use the display
field to print out dates like the above on
on our reports and browsing screens.  This
way, we get the best of both worlds:  pretty
reports, as well as searching and sorting
capabilities.

Cheers,

b

Mailing address:
  17985 Pacific Coast Highway
  Malibu, CA  90265-5799
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Brenda Podemski
Registrar's Office
The J. Paul Getty Museum
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     "I never utter the word ART unless
        referring to Mr. Linkletter."
                      -John Waters

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