Hi Andrew,

On 2017-11-24 03:32:32, you wrote to me:

 WV>> The most reliable way would be, to read the first line of the file
 WV>> and try to determine the date from that, before using the file date.
 WV>> (file dates can change)

 AL> This is only the case if the lower level submits updates using MakeNL or
 AL> other nodelist generating software.  For ZCs receiving updates from RCs,
 AL> this is usually the case.  However, it is fairly common for NCs of smaller
 AL> nets to just edit their segment by hand with a text editor.  In cases such
 AL> as these, you can't expect the segment date to be in any particular format
 AL> on the first line of the file; in fact it may not even be there at all.
 AL> Even the default date line inserted by MakeNL isn't in the most convenient
 AL> format for sorting by date, unless you are going to rely on the 3 digit day
 AL> number, which will cause issues when crossing year boundaries.

That's why I said "try". ;)

 AL> In most cases where a segment is sent shortly after being generated,
 AL> the file date stored on disk should be close enough.

It's the thing to use if the try didn't work...

Bye, Wilfred.

--- FMail-lnx64 2.1.0.18-B20170815