33.3. $date

$date returns the current date.

The valid predefined BITS constants for ctrlBits are $localTime, $gmt, and errorOK.

If $localTime is specified (or if neither $localTime nor $gmt is specified), the local date is returned, if available. If $gmt is specified, the GMT date is returned, if available.

If errorOK is specified and the date is not provided by the operating system and has not been set with $setTheDate, 0L is returned. If errorOK is not specified, the user is prompted for the date if not provided by the operating system and not set with $setTheDate.

$dateAndTime should be used if both date and time are to be obtained for the same instant. Otherwise, a wraparound can occur at midnight.

The standard MAINSAIL date and time formats are described in Section 24.1.