1. I have downloaded this script and using the 'show_calendar' function. Why doesn't the calendar pop up?
Ans: The key point here is to make sure that you are passing the correct form name and item name to the 'show_calendar' function.
Ex. If you have named your HTML form as 'myform' and you have named a text item for the date returned by the calendar as 'datebox', your call to 'show_calendar' should look something like this - show_calendar('myform.datebox' [,optional parameters]).
2. I get an error 'Object Required' every time I try to use the calendar.
Ans: Refer to Ans #1.
3. What are the parameters to the 'show_calendar' function?
Ans:
show_calendar function has 6 parameters.
Out of these only first parameter is mandatory which is a combination of the HTML form name and the item name in that form where you want the date to be returned.
Parameters 2 and 3 are for the month and year respectively and if set to null, they will default to the current month and year.
Parameter 4 is for specifying the date format in which you want the selected date to be returned. If set to null, the default format will be 'MM/DD/YYYY'.
Parameter 5 is to specify whether you need a POPUP or an INLINE calendar. If set to null, the default mode will be POPUP.
Parameter 6 is a combination of name/value pairs separated by a semicolon. All settings have their own default value. There are settings for starting the calendar with a date, to allow selection on weekends, to specify a date range for selection, and so on..
For more information, refer to the online Tutorial .
4. I want a different date format. I want to get the date in DD/MM/YY format.
Ans: Use the 4th parameter of 'show_calendar' function to specify date formats. Refer to the online Tutorial for more details. You can use any date format which is any single combination of the following standard terms - DD, MM, MONTH, YY, YYYY and DOW (for Day Of Week).
5. I want to use it for more than one date items. How do I do this?
Ans: Suppose you have a form in your HTML page called 'form1'. You have 2 items in it, say 'startdate' and 'enddate'. Create 2 links or buttons to popup the 2 calendars. One link for 'startdate' calendar popup and the other for 'enddate'. The show_calendar function call will be different for these 2 links. The first parameter for one will be 'form1.startdate' and for the other, it will be 'form1.enddate'. This way, the date selected in the popup calendar for the first one will be returned to 'startdate' item and for the second, it will be returned to 'enddate' item.
<input type=text name="enddate" size=15>
<a href="javascript:show_calendar('form1.enddate');">Click for Calendar</A>
......
</form>
6. I don't want the calendar to pop open in a new window. I want it in the page itself.
Ans: Use the INLINE calendar option. This will open in a layer on the main page itself. You can drag it around, open it at a certain location and close it too! For information on how to open the Calendar in INLINE mode, refer to the online Tutorial .
7. I don't want the user to be able to select weekend dates.
Ans:
Just use the 6th parameter to 'show_calendar' function. Set the 'AllowWeekends' to No.
8. I want to restrict the selection of dates to a particular date range.
Ans:
Just use the 6th parameter to 'show_calendar' function. Set the 'SelectAfter' and 'SelectBefore' to the start and end dates of the date range you want. All dates after 'SelectAfter' and before 'SelectBefore' can be selected and all others will appear as plain text.
9. My HTML Form is in a layer, how do I make the INLINE calendar work with Netscape?
Ans:
Just use the 6th parameter to 'show_calendar' function. Set the 'NSHeirarchy' to the layer heirarchy.
10. Dragging the INLINE Calendar in Netscape 6 is slow.
Ans:
Yes. It is slow due to a bug in Netscape 6. You can find more details about this and other Netscape 6 bugs at the Mozilla.org .
11. Which date format should I use while specifying the CurrentDate setting in the custom parameter (6th parameter of show_calendar function)?
Ans:
Use ANY format of your choice!
12. What is and why is this 'show_calendar' function?
Ans:
This is the only function one should be concerned about in order to use this script. This is the function that throws open the calendar for you and accepts all your parameters. This function can be used in the event handler of a button or a link or from any Javascript code... This function has only 1 mandatory parameter and all others are optional having their own default values. The mandatory parameter is the one which specifies the text item the date gets returned to.
13. What is this 6th parameter or custom parameter of 'show_calendar' function that I keep hearing about?
Ans:
The 6th parameter is one of the 5 optional parameters of 'show_calendar' function. It is packed with various settings that customize the calendar. All the settings are in the format "<name>=<value>". Get more information on this parameter .
14. Is the Calendar Y2K compliant?
Ans:
Yes, the calendar is Y2K compliant as of version v1.82 released in Sep 2001. It employs a +/-50 windowing scheme.
For example, if you choose the format as say MM/DD/YY and you have a date in the target item as say "03/22/51" the calendar will start with 22nd Mar 1951. Whereas if the date is "03/22/50", it will start with 22nd Mar 2050. So all number above 50 will mean 19xx and all <= 50 will be treated as 20xx. A date such as "01/01/00" starts the calendar with current selected date as 1st Jan 2000 and so on..
The date conversion will work across year 2000. The calendar can scroll over months/years. This is accurate across Dec 1999 or Jan 2000.
Use, Distribution and Licensing FAQs:
1. I want to use this script in a commercial application/website. What are the terms?
Ans:
The script is free for non-profit, personal/educational purposes and also for applications that are distributed under the GNU GPL license. For all other types of applications, you need to check the licensing terms with the author.
2. What does the term 'commercial' mean in this context?
Ans:
By the term COMMERCIAL we mean - any software (a packaged application or even a website) that is not for educational or non-profit purposes. You may find some more discussion on this subject at . If in doubt, please contact us.
3. What does 'FREE Software' mean here on Softricks.com?
Ans:
Softricks.com refers to the term FREE in much the same manner as indicated on gnu.org. The term FREE refers to FREEDOM of use and not money. The software is INDEED FREE for non-profit, individual, educational and all software distributed under GNU Licenses. However, it is not FREE of charge for other types. This is both, to encourage FREE software licensing philosophy and to cover the costs involved in the development and distribution of the software. Even when we charge for the software we distribute, our policy is to give you the freedom to modify and use the software further (under certain terms & conditions).
4. What is the price and terms for using this script, for commercial purposes (as detailed above)?
Ans: Please refer to our online purchase page for the pricing details.
