1 1982-11-08  iso_date
 2 
 3 
 4 Syntax as a command:  iso_date {date} {-control_args}
 5 Syntax as an active function:  [iso_date {date} {-control_args}]
 6 
 7 
 8 Function:  This is a command and active function that produces a
 9 date representation in ISO (international standard) format.  Such
10 dates appear in the order year-month-day, as distinct from the
11 month-day-year ordering provided by the "date" active function.
12 In addition, the applicable international standard provides for,
13 and this routine supports, optional separator characters between
14 fields, and four-digit as well as two-digit year representations.
15 While it is a capability beyond the standard, this routine
16 provides, via a control argument, for representing months as
17 roman numerals, as is common in France.
18 
19 
20 Arguments:
21 date
22     is a date-time in in a form acceptable to
23     convert_date_to_binary_, i.e., acceptable to the "date"
24     active function.  If omitted, the current date is used.
25 
26 
27 Control arguments:
28 -no_separator, -nsep
29     No separator is used between fields of the date.  This is the
30     form recommended in the standard, since it makes dates very
31     easy to sort.
32 -separator C, -sep C
33     The character C is used as a separator between fields of the
34     date to be produced.  If C is a string of more than one
35     character in length, only the first character is used.  (The
36     default is equivalent to -sep .).
37 
38 
39 -roman_month, -roman
40     Specifies that the month field should appear as a roman
41     numerial, rather than as an arabic one.  The default is
42     arabic numerals, as provided in the standard.
43 -full_year
44     Specifies a four-digit year, rather than a two-digit year.
45     Two digits are the default.
46 -short_year
47     Specifies a two-digit year, rather than a four-digit year.
48     This is the default.
49 -help
50     Prints a one-line usage message.
51 
52 
53 Examples:
54   iso_date
55      82.11.07
56 
57   iso_date -no_separator -full_year
58      19821107
59 
60   iso_date "January 1, 1984" -roman_month -separator " "
61      84 I 01
62 
63   iso_date "June 1, 1984" -roman_month -separator " "
64      84 VI 01
65 
66 The second form above is the one preferred in the standard.