# JDE Date Conversion Pattern
## Overview
This document explains the JDE (JD Edwards) date conversion pattern used throughout the data model classes. This pattern appears in 15+ model files and is **intentionally repeated** rather than abstracted—it is required boilerplate for Dapper ORM column mapping.
## JDE Date Format
JD Edwards stores dates in a proprietary **Julian date format** called CYYDDD:
| Component | Description | Example |
|-----------|-------------|---------|
| C | Century indicator (0=1900s, 1=2000s) | 1 |
| YY | Year within century | 25 |
| DDD | Day of year (001-366) | 019 |
**Example:** January 19, 2025 = `125019`
- Century: 1 (2000s)
- Year: 25 (2025)
- Day: 019 (19th day of year)
JDE also stores time separately as **HHMMSS**:
- 2:30:45 PM = `143045`
## The Pattern
### Why Private Backing Fields?
Dapper requires a settable property to map database columns. Since we want:
1. The raw JDE integer values mapped from the database
2. A clean `DateTime?` exposed to consumers
3. No public setters on the converted dates
We use this pattern:
```csharp
using JdeScoping.Core.Helpers;
public class WorkOrder
{
// ... other properties ...
///
/// JDE date of last update to record (private backing field for Dapper mapping)
///
private int LastUpdateDate { get; set; }
///
/// JDE time of day of last update to record (private backing field for Dapper mapping)
///
private int LastUpdateTime { get; set; }
///
/// Timestamp of last update to record (computed from JDE date/time)
///
public DateTime? LastUpdateDt => JdeDateConverter.ToDateTime(LastUpdateDate, LastUpdateTime);
}
```
### Why This Cannot Be Abstracted Further
1. **Dapper requires properties on the model class itself** - It cannot map to properties on a composed helper object.
2. **Each model has different date fields** - WorkOrder has `LastUpdateDate/Time`, WorkOrderStep has `EndDate/Time`, etc. The field names vary per entity.
3. **Some models have date-only, some have date+time** - The pattern adapts to each entity's needs.
4. **Private backing fields must match SQL column aliases** - Dapper maps by property name matching column name.
## Centralized Helper
The actual conversion logic **is** centralized in:
```
NEW/src/JdeScoping.Core/Helpers/JdeDateConverter.cs
```
This static helper provides:
- `ToDateTime(int jdeDate)` - Date only conversion
- `ToDateTime(int jdeDate, int jdeTime)` - Date + time conversion
- `ToJdeDate(this DateTime)` - Convert DateTime to JDE date
- `ToJdeTime(this DateTime)` - Convert DateTime to JDE time
## Files Using This Pattern
The pattern appears in these model files:
- `Models/Inventory/Item.cs`
- `Models/Inventory/Lot.cs`
- `Models/Inventory/LotUsage.cs`
- `Models/Lookup/StatusCode.cs`
- `Models/Organization/Branch.cs`
- `Models/Organization/JdeUser.cs`
- `Models/Organization/OrgHierarchy.cs`
- `Models/Organization/ProfitCenter.cs`
- `Models/Organization/RouteMaster.cs`
- `Models/Organization/WorkCenter.cs`
- `Models/WorkOrders/WorkOrder.cs`
- `Models/WorkOrders/WorkOrderComponent.cs`
- `Models/WorkOrders/WorkOrderRouting.cs`
- `Models/WorkOrders/WorkOrderStep.cs`
- `Models/WorkOrders/WorkOrderTime.cs`
## Why Not Records or Init-Only Properties?
Using records with init-only properties would prevent Dapper from setting the values since Dapper uses property setters for mapping. The private setter approach is the cleanest pattern that:
1. Hides raw JDE integers from consumers
2. Exposes clean nullable DateTime
3. Works with Dapper's property-based mapping
## Summary
**This is not code duplication** - it is the minimum required boilerplate for:
- Database column mapping (private field + Dapper)
- Type conversion (JdeDateConverter helper)
- Clean public API (computed DateTime property)
Each repetition is 3 lines of trivial code that cannot be abstracted without breaking Dapper mapping or over-engineering the solution.