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Janice - Confidential, re. "The 19T0 Solution"!
Did anybody ever tell you about this? Are they trying to keep us in the dark regarding competition?
Who at FBN would you suggest I approach regarding an explanation?
To: +pat mudge (27570 )
From: +Bob Frasca
Tuesday, Oct 21 1997 1:34PM EST
Reply #27578 of 27598
[Chat - Y2K stocks]
Hi Pat:
A few months back, maybe longer, you and I engaged in a brief discussion regarding
ZITL and so called, Y2K solutions. The following press release is, in this humble
coders opinion, the REAL deal. My guess is that Y2K stocks are going to tumble if
they haven't already. The solution is simple and, in a manner of speaking, elegant.
Bob
Tuesday October 21 9:31 AM EDT
Company Press Release
Year 2000 Solution Fits Inside Compilers
ENCINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1997--People know that 99 + 1 = 100.
But computers don't. This simple difference has caused the $600 billion Year 2000
computer problem that threatens to cripple businesses and governments.
Most computer programs store years as only two digits and add 1900 to those
digits. 1983 is stored as 83 and 2000 is stored as 00. But computers understand 00
as 1900. Current thinking is that more digits need to be added to hold the century.
Otherwise, the computer must ''guess.'' Both of these methods (expansion and
windowing) require significant program changes.
David and william Lappen, brothers involved in computer technology for more than
20 years each, have applied for a patent on a method that promises to virtually
eliminate the Year 2000 problem. Its premise is that there's no need to change the
old programs or databases. The problem is really that the computer gives the
wrong answer when it adds 99 and 1. This can be solved by making some small
changes to the way computers represent numbers. More than 90 percent of the
energy and expense needed to implement and test a Year 2000 solution can be
saved, and errors virtually eliminated.
There is room in two digits to store more than the traditional 100 numbers.
Instead of changing application code, by telling computers how to store additional
digits in the same space, the problem can be automatically fixed. This requires no
changes to programs or databases.
Technical details can be found at 19t0.com :
"The 19T0/b> Solution< (patent pending) allows continuous counting past 99 by
expanding the definition of numbers for computers to include special
characters. This way, the computer won't need to represent 2000 as 00,
but can represent it as a newly defined number that follows 99. ÿ This
allows a two-digit count to smoothly continue past 99.
ÿÿÿÿÿA "16/10 duo-base" number contains non-numeric single byte
characters to represent values over 9 in the tens digit that are treated
as numerics in math. The "duo-base" feature allows all years from 00 to
99 to remain unaltered. The next digit after 9 is T.
ÿÿÿÿJust as 00 implies 1900, 100 (or T0) will imply 2000 (1900+100).
This is the basis of the 19T0 Solution, but never needs to be seen by
users.
ÿÿÿÿÿLicensed interpreters, compilers and their run-time support
packages will automatically implement the extended numeric scheme of the
19T0 Solution. Recompilation of source code by these compilers will
automatically fix most year 2000 problems. The strength of the 19T0
Solution is that conversion is automatic. Programmers don't need to
identify years in programs. ÿExisting source code simply can be
recompiled with an enhanced compiler. Other applications (spreadsheets,
database programs, accounting packages, etc.) can also implement this
change by being recompiled.
ÿÿÿÿÿAfter implementation of the 19T0 Solution, there may still be some
minor cleanup problems. ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿThe Year 2000 Problem can be solved very inexpensively. Once the
manufacturer of the compiler or interpreter makes the required changes,
the client merely recompiles all of its source code."
(How are my options doin'?)
Bounced Czech
(FBN - Foresight!) |
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