To save memory and keystrokes, many computers and programs were designed to use two digits rather than four to calculate the year element of a date. Programs and systems that rely on this assumption will no longer correctly calculate the difference between dates when the century rolls over to the year 2000. The problem will cause failures in arithmetic, comparisons and sorting when using data involving dates, and can corrupt databases with erroneous information. These types of calculations are common in systems involving administrative information, planning and scheduling, human resources. Computers are everywhere in government, business, utilities, and our jobs.
Businesses are dependent on the exchange of information through computers.
When one system fails, there is a cascading effect to other systems. This means that some files that were never meant to be deleted may disappear come Sept. 9, 1999. Yes, if adequate steps are not taken to eliminate the problem. Unfortunately, since our lives are so interdependent, all it takes is one faulty link in the chain to result in interrupted services, or, worse. Find out if your computer is Y2K compliant.