Summary of features

ABL supports both DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ in ABL data management statements such as ASSIGN, UPDATE, DISPLAY, IMPORT/EXPORT; by the dynamic BUFFER-FIELD and TEMP-TABLE objects; and by ABL functions and conversions that apply to DATE or TIME.

You can define DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ database and temp-table fields (static and dynamic). The Data Dictionary supports creating DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ database fields.

You can define a variable or field AS a DATETIME or DATETIME-TZ variable orLIKE a DATETIME or DATETIME-TZ database field.

You can index DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ database and temp-table fields.

You can reference DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ data in WHERE clauses.

You can use all of the ABL constructs (BUFFER-COPY, BUFFER-COMPARE, RAW-TRANSFER) that deal with records containing DATETIME or DATETIME-TZ data.

You can pass DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ parameters to local or remote procedures and user-defined functions, and as return values from user-defined functions and methods.

The default initial value for DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ variables or fields is the Unknown value (?). The entire value is unknown if any or all of the parts are unknown.

You can use NOW to initialize both DATETIME and DATETIME-TZ variable or fields to the current system date and time. The time zone for a DATETIME-TZ initialized to NOW is the time zone of the session creating the DATETIME-TZ.