This function parses a text a using template b and creates a timestamp from it.
An optional locale d can modify the parsing behaviour for month names and day names.
Parameters
Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
a | The text to be interpreted. If a string cannot be interpreted with the format template b, an error occurs and parameter c controls the further behaviour of the function. |
b | Format template. Important note: If the string in a is shorter than the template in b, b is shortened to the length of a. Please note that in rare cases this can lead to loss of accuracy or invalid values and consequential errors. Special case W3CDTF: This format template does not consist of placeholders. Therefore, no shortening is done. The format does not contain month names or day names. Therefore, no locale is used (parameter d). |
c | (optional) Behaviour of function in case a text cannot be parsed as a date. Possible values see below. See also parameter a. Default: "empty". |
d | (optional) Locale. Default: System locale. Example: de_DE. Note: Use the three dots to select a value. |
e | (optional) Timezone. Default: System timezone. Example: UTC. |
Possible values for parameter "c"
Value | Behaviour of function |
|---|---|
now | The current date will be returned. |
empty | The Empty Flag is set. Internally, the field also receives the current date. However, because of the Empty Flag, the value is not visible. |
error | The function terminates with an error. |
Other value | Instead of the input value, this value will be used. If this value cannot be parsed with b either, the function will terminate with an error. |
Examples
Current date of the example: "2011-10-20 15:33:23".
The system has the timezone "Europe/Berlin".
Note: "No date" cannot be interpreted as a timestamp with any format template b and thus triggers an error. The further behaviour of the function is then controlled with parameter c.
Parameter a | b | c | d | e | Result | Result of function "get empty flag()" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
241205 | ddMMyyHHmm | error | 2005-12-24 00:00:00.0 | false | ||
No date | ddMMyyHHmm | error | The function terminates with an error. | |||
No date | ddMMyyHHmm | now | 2011-10-20 15:33:23.0 | false | ||
No date | ddMMyyHHmm | empty | See description of "empty" for parameter c above. | true | ||
No date | ddMMyyHHmm | 231010 | 2010-10-23 00:00:00.0 | false | ||
2412050820 | ddMMyyHHmm | error | 2005-12-24 08:20:00.0 | false | ||
9-дек-2012 | d-MMM-yyyy | empty | ru | 2012-12-09 00:00:00.0 | false | |
10.Dez 2012 | dd.MMM yyyy | empty | de_DE | 2012-12-10 00:00:00.0 | false | |
1997-07-16T19:20:30Z (see format template "W3CDTF") | W3C | now | 1997-07-16 21:20:30.0 | false | ||
31.03.2024 02:30:00 | dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm:ss | The current date with set Empty Flag. | true | |||
31.03.2024 02:30:00 | dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm:ss | UTC | 2024-03-31 04:30:00.0 | false |