The Y2K problem is *any* problem caused by a computer's misinterpretation of the two-digit date "00" (that is, the year is stored in two digits, not four). That includes looking forward, looking backward, looking sideways. Specifically, if a computer doesn't recognize that "00" is the year following "99" then a Y2K bug exists (and Y3K and Y4K etc. for that matter).
It doesn't matter *when* the actual misinterpretation occurs, just that it occurs *solely* because of the use of a two-digit date code.
I believe that only about 20-25% of the actual problems that can occur will occur on Jan 1, 2000. About 60-70% will occur before then, and the rest after. For example, Y2K problems turned up in credit card usage a couple years ago but most (but probably not all) have now been resolved (look at your expiration date and you'll see why).
BTW, many systems being "fixed" are actually being fixed by shifting the bug from the year 2000 to the year 2030 or 2070 (I forget which). The assumption is, once again, that those systems (or algorithms) will be gone by that time. |
