METHOD FOR CLASSIFICATION OF YEAR-RELATED DATA FIELDS IN A PROGRAM

The method of the invention enables a computer to examine a software application, which includes operands and operators, and to identify operand fields which include a year value. A scan knowledge base includes scan rules that enable characteristics of operands to recognized, identified and initially classified. An operand association table is provided for each operator and indicates, based upon inter-relationships of operands associated with the operator, whether an associated operand that has been initially classified as a year field or a probable year field, should be assigned a revised classification and what that revised classification should be. The method reviews the application, using the scan knowledge base, to identify each operand which can be initially classified as a year field or a probable year field and lists each such operand in an operand table. The method also reviews the application to identify every operator listed therein and lists every operator and any associated operands in an operator table. Thereafter, the method determines, for operator entries located in the operator table, and from operands associated therewith and an operand association table, whether the classification for each respective operand in the operand table should or should not be altered.