Error message when you try to use the DateDiff function in VBScript on a Windows Server 2003-based, Windows Vista-based, or Windows Server 2008-based computer that uses an RTL language: "Microsoft VBScript runtime error" "Type mismatch"

Consider the following scenario on a Windows Server 2003-based, Windows Vista-based, or Windows Server 2008-based computer:

• The system locale setting is configured to use a right-to-left (RTL) language such as Hebrew or Arabic.
• You are running Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript) version 5.6 or a later version.
• You use the FormatDateTime function in VBScript to obtain an expression string that is formatted as a date or a time.
  
  Note In this scenario, the string is RTL-formatted.
• You pass the string to the DateDiff function to obtain the interval between two dates. One of the two dates is the expression from the FormatDateTime function.

In this scenario, you receive the following error message:

This problem occurs because the DateDiff function cannot handle RTL-formatted strings.

Note There are other functions that cannot handle RTL-formatted strings. The following other functions are also fixed in the hotfix that is mentioned in the "Resolution" section:

• Year
• Weekday
• Month
• Day
• Datepart
• DateAdd
• Hour
• Minute
• Second

Hotfix information for Windows Server 2003

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have a Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)-based or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP1

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP1

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP1

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

Hotfix information for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the �Hotfix Request� page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix on a Windows Vista-based computer, you must have Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Vista SP2 installed.

To apply this hotfix on a Windows Server 2008-based computer, you must have Windows Server 2008 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 SP2 installed.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information notes

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported Itanium-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about the FormatDateTime function, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about the DateDiff function, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported Itanium-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008