Complicated Date Builder

[panchristo]

Hi all!

While having a look at a customized software, I spotted a nice module, that I would be excited if I could integrate into mine.

Inside a text field the user writes in free text what could be termed as "a time-span calculator from free text".

Let me explain myself a bit.

The text-field, is used to specify the "age" of an archaeological object.

The allowed expressions are in free text, but yes, they have some rules (see below).

What is interesting though, is that some sort of calculation takes over after writing the text in an "everyday-language" form and calculates/translates the time span it covers into dates.

It's not only that it facilitates date input (it REALLY IS important for archaeologists), but also makes possible a potential sorting of objects of an uncertain (in computer terms) age (very common for archaeological objects).

The astonishing thing (IMHO) is that it does that over different combinations of regular text expressions.

Here are some examples that can be used:

1. Date expressions

1974 = 1/1/1974 - 12/31/1974

1974-1975 = 1/1/1974 - 12/31/1975

December 1974 - March 1975 = 12/1/1974 - 3/31/1975

2. Decade expressions

1970s decade = 1/1/1970 - 12/31/1970

2nd decade of 19th century = 1/1/1810 - 31/12/1819

2nd decade of 19th century - 1 decade of 20th century = 1/1/1810 - 12/31/1909

3. Century expressions

10th century = 1/1/900 - 12/31/999

10th century - 12th century = 1/1/900 - 12/31/1199

12th century BC - 10th century AD = 1/1/1999 BC - 12/31/999 (!Tricky part! - Notice BC, AD)

4. Indirect time span expressions (it becomes really puzzling here)

Early - 18th century = covers the 40 first years of 18th century (1/1/1700-12/31/1739)

Mid - 18th century = covers years 30-70 of 18th century (1/1/1730-12/31/1769)

Late - 18th century = covers last 40 years of 18th century (1/1/1760-12/31/1799)

1st quarter of 18th century = covers first 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1700-12/31/1724)

2nd quarter of 18th century = covers second 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1725-12/31/1749)

3rd quarter of 18th century = covers third 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1750-12/31/1774)

4th quarter of 18th century = covers fourth 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1775-12/31/1799)

** Careful for BC dates!

Uncertainty expression

ca. (i.e. circa) = Inserts an uncertainty period of +/- 10 years around the specified date

And, lastly, all of the above can be freely combined when specifying a range, taking always into consideration that we may be talking in BC or AD terms.

For example:

First quarter of 12th century BC - 2nd decade of 2nd century AD

would return a calculation of 12/31/1199 BC - 12/31/119 AD

How's that for a calculation puzzle?

Does anyone have a clue how this could be implemented?

I am completely stuck but I hope it will intrigue some of you to give it a try and let me know... :

[omegagoh]

Hi,

Based on your description, you are possibly an archaeologist or work with someone who is an archaeologist.

Anyway, basically what you have is possibly an input field which user enter the so-called "free text" and an output field which translate that free text into a date range. The mysterious part to you is the translation logic.

Two possible reasons that the translation logic is not available to you:

1. You don't have access to the field definition to the table concerned (usually, the Full Access account and password). If the is the case, I suggest that to try to look for the developer's contact within the solution and contact him/her for the logic concerned.

2. If you have Full Access to the solution, possibly the translation logic utilizes Custom Function which you can view/edit only if you have FileMaker Pro Advanced.

As the need is "quite niche and complex", I think not many developers are interested to look into it without a fee. You may try exploring the custom functions at www.briandunning.com/filemaker-custom-functions/list.php. Alternatively, if you are willing to pay for a fee, I am sure Brian will be able to help you (so sorry to quote your name without permission, Brain).

Regards,

Omega Goh

Hi all!

While having a look at a customized software, I spotted a nice module, that I would be excited if I could integrate into mine.

Inside a text field the user writes in free text what could be termed as "a time-span calculator from free text".

Let me explain myself a bit.

The text-field, is used to specify the "age" of an archaeological object.

The allowed expressions are in free text, but yes, they have some rules (see below).

What is interesting though, is that some sort of calculation takes over after writing the text in an "everyday-language" form and calculates/translates the time span it covers into dates.

It's not only that it facilitates date input (it REALLY IS important for archaeologists), but also makes possible a potential sorting of objects of an uncertain (in computer terms) age (very common for archaeological objects).

The astonishing thing (IMHO) is that it does that over different combinations of regular text expressions.

Here are some examples that can be used:

1. Date expressions

1974 = 1/1/1974 - 12/31/1974

1974-1975 = 1/1/1974 - 12/31/1975

December 1974 - March 1975 = 12/1/1974 - 3/31/1975

2. Decade expressions

1970s decade = 1/1/1970 - 12/31/1970

2nd decade of 19th century = 1/1/1810 - 31/12/1819

2nd decade of 19th century - 1 decade of 20th century = 1/1/1810 - 12/31/1909

3. Century expressions

10th century = 1/1/900 - 12/31/999

10th century - 12th century = 1/1/900 - 12/31/1199

12th century BC - 10th century AD = 1/1/1999 BC - 12/31/999 (!Tricky part! - Notice BC, AD)

4. Indirect time span expressions (it becomes really puzzling here)

Early - 18th century = covers the 40 first years of 18th century (1/1/1700-12/31/1739)

Mid - 18th century = covers years 30-70 of 18th century (1/1/1730-12/31/1769)

Late - 18th century = covers last 40 years of 18th century (1/1/1760-12/31/1799)

1st quarter of 18th century = covers first 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1700-12/31/1724)

2nd quarter of 18th century = covers second 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1725-12/31/1749)

3rd quarter of 18th century = covers third 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1750-12/31/1774)

4th quarter of 18th century = covers fourth 25-year period of 18th century (1/1/1775-12/31/1799)

** Careful for BC dates!

Uncertainty expression

ca. (i.e. circa) = Inserts an uncertainty period of +/- 10 years around the specified date

And, lastly, all of the above can be freely combined when specifying a range, taking always into consideration that we may be talking in BC or AD terms.

For example:

First quarter of 12th century BC - 2nd decade of 2nd century AD

would return a calculation of 12/31/1199 BC - 12/31/119 AD

How's that for a calculation puzzle?

Does anyone have a clue how this could be implemented?

I am completely stuck but I hope it will intrigue some of you to give it a try and let me know... :