Whoa there. That's a scary way to compare dates indeed. Take a look at the Date::Manip module on CPAN; it's got several functions for comparing two dates. It will undoubtedly save you many a headache.

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DamnDirtyApe

Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who
would like to seem profound to the crowd strive for obscurity.
            --Friedrich Nietzsche