Simulate dates within an authorised test boundary
Anydate is Fortra’s IBM i date-simulation enquiry. It is useful when an application’s behaviour needs to be examined for a future or past business date without confusing the test objective with normal production operation. Define the date-sensitive functions, affected jobs and expected outcomes before choosing the test method.
Confirm current product compatibility and the supported simulation scope. Identify interfaces, certificates, schedules and external systems that may interpret dates independently. A test date applied to one part of a workflow should not be assumed to change every dependent component consistently.
Keep test effects isolated and reviewable
Use an approved test environment and representative data. Record the actual system time, simulated business date and conditions for each result so later reviewers can interpret evidence. Test the return to ordinary operation and ensure temporary settings do not persist unintentionally after the exercise.
Acceptance should show the expected application response for selected scenarios and clearly state what was not simulated. MMC can scope setup and a bounded date-test plan with the application owner. Production changes, transactions affecting external parties and broad application certification require separate authorisation and validation.
Evidence to request for this scope
- Confirm the exact jobs or application contexts supported by the selected Anydate configuration.
- Retain actual and simulated date conditions alongside expected and observed results.
- Verify cleanup of temporary test settings and the return to the agreed normal state.