plsql date comparison

From: Mark <mark.hamlin_at_artdigital.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 17:21:05 +0100
Message-ID: <aim8pb$jm8$1@pheidippides.axion.bt.co.uk>

I am having "fun" with date comparison with plsql. I need to test to see if log_date is earlier or later sess_cut. I think I've learnt that earlier is different to less!!

if (log_date > sess_cut ) then

devlog (aas||'PASS: (log_str '|| log_str || ') later (sess_cut: '|| sess_cut_str || ' )' );
elsif (log_date < sess_cut ) then

devlog (aas||'FAIL: (log_str '|| log_str || ') earlier (sess_cut: '|| sess_cut_str || ' )' );
end if;

I get unpredictable results from this:
*GOOD*

PASS: (log_str 05-08-02 05:11:08) later (sess_cut: 05-08-02 04:56:08 )
*BAD*

FAIL: (log_str 05-08-02 04:52:47) earlier (sess_cut: 05-08-02 04:49:10 )

If I simply reverse my logic I still get unpredictable results. I'm having trouble converting these dates into the numeric value. I tried << myfloat := mydate; >> which compiled but gave me a runtime conversion error.

Mark Received on Mon Aug 05 2002 - 11:21:05 CDT