Notes on changing the system date for testing purposes

InterSystems FAQ rubric

If you change the system date, InterSystems Data Platform (IRIS) may not start properly.

IRIS performs a journal file deletion process when it starts, but if the system date is changed, a journal file with an incorrect date is created. During journal file deletion processing, the process proceeds by referring to the information of the previous and subsequent files recorded inside the journal file. Please note that if a change in the system date causes an inconsistency in the connection of journal files, the deletion process may go into a loop and the IRIS startup process may not be completed. Changing the system date can have various effects, not only on IRIS, but also on dependencies on the OS, middleware, and applications running on it.

If you must change the system date for testing or verification purposes, we recommend testing in an environment (virtual environment, etc.) where you can freely uninstall and reinstall IRIS.

The basic flow of the test is as follows.

1. System date change
2. Installing IRIS
3. Test implementation
4. Stopping IRIS
5. Complete uninstallation of IRIS (*)
6. Change system date (return to current date and time)
7. Installing IRIS

(*) Even after uninstallation, some files will remain in the IRIS installation directory, so you will need to delete the entire IRIS installation folder.

If you perform a date change test in an environment where IRIS cannot be uninstalled or reinstalled, you may need to perform IRIS recovery work.

Please contact our Worldwide Responce Center for details.