Challenge #4: Date Parsing

[jamielaird]

Here's my solution.

Spoiler

1) I started off by adding a record ID, isolating the part of the string containing the date and removing redundant characters:



2) I then used a formula tool to create three streams corresponding to the different date formats, first using Regex to test if the first character was a digit, which enabled me to identify the [Mon dd yyyy] strings, and for those where this was not the case using FindString to check if the last four characters contained a hype, which enabled me to identify [dd-Mon-yyyy] and [dd-Mon-yy].  These streams then fed into an appropriately configured DateTime tool.

3) Finally a bit of column cleaning and joined back to the original dataset using the record ID.

 

[A_Twa]

This one was a real challenge for me.  I did get the same results as the output indicated, but I have real doubts that the WC FIelds quote is from 2000.... :)

[Natasha]

Just starting with Regex and here is my solution

Spoiler

[JacobR77]

Took the long way round (first time using RegEx), but got there.

[BenMoss]

As others have said this is a great exercise for working on improving your regex skills.

Here's my solution.

Spoiler

Ben

[MaxGiegerich]

Took a while to understand that it's only the four formats in the instructions that have to be supported... Tried to build a solution for all dates I could think of before reverting to a more sensible approach. Thanks for the exercise!

[patrick_digan]

Spoiler

I used a regex tool and then the BB-Date macro. It caught 3 of the 4, so I just added a comma (Jun 5 2000 >>> Jun 5, 2000) so that way BB-Date handled all of the dates.

[Suzanne]

Had to peak at the solution for this one.  Excellent challenge.