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The OpenVMS operating system is ready and safe for the transition to
the year 2000! We can confidently make this claim for a number of reasons:
- Software uses 4-digit years
The OpenVMS operating system has always allowed a 4-digit year format, which
is not affected by the transition to the year 2000. Applications that consistently
use the 4-digit year format will make a seamless transition into the year 2000.
- Hardware uses 4-digit years
At the hardware level, no changes are required because DIGITAL's Alpha and
VAX system platforms use 4-digit year representational formats and will be
totally unaffected by the transition to the year 2000.
- Testing found no problems
OpenVMS is one of the few operating systems that allows users to set
the system clock to times in the future, so it is possible to simulate
the transition to the year 2000 and beyond. Both DIGITAL and OpenVMS
customers have performed such simulations and no problems have been reported.
- Code investigation found only a few, minor limitations
A complete, formal, and detailed code investigation on OpenVMS Versions 7.1, 6.2,
and 5.5-2 uncovered only a very few, minor limitations in older and rarely used
components. Year 2000 enhancement kits for these versions are now available through
the normal service channels and on the Web.
Importance of Testing Your Environment
DIGITAL expects that most Year 2000-related problems will occur primarily in layered
applications. Therefore, it is important to start evaluating your environments and
applications as soon as possible. Even if DIGITAL's products are ready for the year
2000, you must ensure that the environments in which these products operate are also
ready.
» Return to OpenVMS Year 2000 White Paper home page
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