Re: [LEAPSECS] building consensus

From: Ed Davies <ls_at_edavies.nildram.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2006 10:18:33 +0100

Rob Seaman wrote:
> Doubt I can lay my hands on the copy of ISO 8601 from my Y2K remediation
> days. Anybody want to comment on whether it actually attempts to convey
> the "Gregorian" algorithm within its pages?

Yes, it does.

> This International Standard uses the Gregorian calendar for the
> identification of calendar days.
>
> The Gregorian calendar provides a reference system consisting of a,
> potentially infinite, series of contiguous calendar years. Consecutive
> calendar years are identified by sequentially assigned year numbers.
> A reference point is used which assigns the year number 1875 to the
> calendar year in which the “Convention du mètre” was signed at Paris.
>
> The Gregorian calendar distinguishes common years with a duration
> of 365 calendar days and leap years with a duration of 366 calendar
> days. A leap year is a year whose year number is divisible by four
> an integral number of times. However, centennial years are not leap
> years unless they are divisible by four hundred an integral number
> of times.

This is from section 4.3.2.1 of the final draft of ISO8601:2000.

It's also an interesting quote in that it suggests that the 1875
Convention du mètre is important in the international definition
of the Gregorian calendar. Anybody know more on that?

Ed.
Received on Tue Jun 06 2006 - 02:20:07 PDT