A large number of programmers still believe year 2000 problems occur only n software written in Cobol or that their particular language is somehow year 2000-immune. In fact, Y2K problems can occur with very new languages such as C++, Java, JavaScript, JScript, and Perl. For details, see this October 1998 article.

Fixing Y2K problems in departmental customized applications is a different process than fixing problems with off-the-shelf software. Although the two can be interrelated - for example, development software should be Y2K compliant before code remediation starts. (More about Year 2000 problems and fixes for off-the-shelf software and database programs can be found here.)

Seven phases for Y2K compliance
Fixing customized applications - particularly if there are many of them - can be a challenge for a department. To help, here is the recommended, phase-by-phase process campus departments can use to identify what needs to be fixed; determine the best way to get the fixes done; and implement Y2K-compatible solutions.

What have departments done to date?
Since July 1997, all UC campuses have been required to report to Office of the President on progress toward fixing central and mission-critical departmental systems. These reports have gone to the systemwide Joint Operations Group (JOG) and to the UCOP Information Resources and Communications department.

Throughout 1999, UCB has reported on the status of more than one hundred systems. Detailed information on these systems is available from:

• Administrative Systems Department. (This site lists both departmental systems and central systems.)
  
• Student Information Systems,
  
• Housing and Dining Services.

Individual departments have been required to report on the status of Y2K work on their customized applications since June 1999, to help ensure that the campus knows where applications still need Y2K work and that satisfactory progress is being made. Information on departmental reporting results can be found at the departmental reporting part of this web site.