SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Technology Stocks : Y2K (Year 2000) Stocks: An Investment Discussion
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Jeffrey S. Mitchell who wrote (9397)2/9/1998 1:19:00 PM
From: David Eddy  Read Replies (2) of 13949
 
Jeff -

Any computer that believes it is 1900 will not allow Feb. 29 to exist

Ok! That does it!! I've had enough of this bs that 'computers will not be able to recognize 2000 from 1900'. This bogus factoid is now accepted as gospel because it's been repeated mindlessly so many times by well meaning (and completely clueless) journalists & writers.

From the outside (ie - without looking at the specific code) we have zero chance of knowing how a particular program or system will react to 00 in the year field.

A very simple rule for determining leap year is just to divide by 4. If answer is even, then it's a leap year. If a remainder, then not a leap year. Slightly bogus logic (since in fact 1900 is not a leap year & 2000 is), but I'd be willing to put real money on the fact that most systems simply don't look backwards to 1900. And those that do have already encountered & weeded out such weak logic.

I'm going to write a correction about this nonsense about 'computer gets confused with 1900 & 2000' bs... please to see an upcoming scathing commentary at http://www/y2ktimebomb.com (my Wednesday technical column).

[And after writing the column, I'm going tilting after some windmills that are threatening to invade my property. <g>]

- David
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News