What is define date?

The term "define date" can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here are some possible explanations:

  • In programming: A define date is a preprocessor directive used in C and related programming languages to define a symbolic constant or alias. This allows the programmer to use a meaningful name instead of a hard-coded value that can change frequently. For example, #define PI 3.14 defines a constant named PI that stands for the numerical value 3.14, which can be used throughout the program without needing to repeat the value every time.
  • In legal documents: A define date is a term used to specify the date on which certain terms or conditions of an agreement or contract come into effect. This can be different from the signing date or the date of execution, and is often used for purposes of tracking milestones, payments, or obligations. For example, a lease agreement may have a define date of the first day of the month following the signing date, which means that the tenant will start paying rent from that date onwards.
  • In dictionaries: A define date is a reference to the first known appearance of a word or phrase in written or printed form. This information is often included in etymological dictionaries or online sources to trace the historical evolution of language. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary provides define dates for over 600,000 words, ranging from Old English to contemporary slang.
  • In data management: A define date is a metadata field that describes when a data element or record was created or modified. This information is useful for tracking the freshness, accuracy, and completeness of data, as well as for auditing or compliance purposes. For example, a database may have a define date field that is automatically updated whenever a new record is added or an existing record is edited.