Older computer systems commonly stored years with two digits to conserve electronic storage and reduce operating costs, creating ambiguity between years such as 1900 and 2000.

Format Online paper / PDF

"Older computer systems commonly stored years with two digits to conserve electronic storage and reduce operating costs, creating ambiguity between years such as 1900 and 2000."

GAO explains that two-digit year storage conserved space and operating costs but made 2000 indistinguishable from 1900 in affected systems.

Source title Year 2000 Computing Crisis: An Assessment Guide (Supersedes 158206)

Source authors U.S. General Accounting Office

Source year 1997

Confidence high

Importance high