When comparing HPTIMEF, you're comparing two strings. They would be
"12:56 AM" and " 2:05 AM". The "1" in the "12" is greater than the " "
(space) before the "2". To do this, you could use HPHOUR and HPMINUTE,
where "12 AM" is the zero hour, so do it like this

WHILE HPHOUR < 2 and HPMINUTE < 5

John Zoltak
North American Mfg Co

> -----Original Message-----
> From: SIMPKINS, Terry [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 1998 9:29 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [HP3000-L] Problem with HPTIMEF variable
>
> In our nightly job streams, we use the following statements to check
> what time it is,
> and then wait or proceed with processing.  We recently made a change
> in the
> timing, and now have a problem.
>
> I realize that "12" is greater than "1", but I also think that
> "12:56 AM" is less than " 2:05 AM".  It appears that the CI doesn't
> agree
> with me, as evidenced by the extract from last nights job (see
> following example)
>
>
> END OF PROGRAM
> :SHOWTIME
> TUE, MAR 31, 1998, 12:56 AM
> :SHOWVAR HPTIMEF
> HPTIMEF = 12:56 AM
> :WHILE HPTIMEF < "  2:05 AM"
> *** EXPRESSION FALSE: COMMANDS IGNORED UNTIL MATCHING ENDWHILE
> :  PAUSE 60
> :ENDWHILE
> *** RESUME EXECUTION OF COMMANDS
> :COMMENT   :STREAM BACKUP.JOB.FMDEECO
> :RUN MAIN.PUB.VESOFT,STREAMX;PARM=5;INFO='!?'
>
>
> anyone have an explaination of what is happening here, other than
> "hey dummy, 12 is greater than 2"?
>
> Terry Simpkins