Kuwaiti algorithm: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:30, 10 May 2005

Revision as of 19:57, 25 September 2005

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[[Microsoft]] uses the '''Kuwaiti algorithm''' to convert between dates in the Western standard [[Gregorian calendar]] and dates in the Hijri or [[Islamic calendar]]. There is no fixed correspondence defined in advance between the Gregorian [[solar calendar]] and the Islamic [[lunar calendar]], since the latter is defined by the visibility of the new moon by religious authorities and can therefore vary by a day or two, depending on the particular Islamic authority, weather conditions, and other variables. As an attempt to make conversions between the calendars somewhat predictable, Microsoft claims to have created this [[algorithm]] is based on statistical analysis of historical data from [[Kuwait]]. However, Theits algorithmresults isare inexact dueidentical to thea usevariation of statisticalthe analysis,[[tabular andIslamic conversionscalendar]], usingwhich thishas algorithmbeen canintroduced oftenby beIslamic inastronomers erroraround bythe a[[eigth day or twocentury]].

Inevitably, any prediction algorithm is imprecise, and conversions can often be in error by a day or two.

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== External links ==

* [http://www.phys.uu.nl/~vgent/islam/islamyear_en.htm Information about various arithmetical Islamic Calendars]

* [http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/DrIntl/columns/002/default.mspx#Q3 Microsoft information on Kuwaiti algorithm]