D10K Bug Easier to Squash Than Y2K One

If worrying about the year 2000 problem weren’t enough, the Dow Jones’ flirtation with the 10,000 mark has created another odd computer problem--this time called “D10K.”

After years of plugging along in four digits, the Dow Jones industrial average is now poised to enter the realm of five digits. The problem is that some computer programs may not understand or accept a Dow Jones figure above 10,000.

Unlike Y2K--the shorthand name for the year 2000 problem--D10K is considered by most experts to be a minor problem that is more an interesting footnote of the Computer Age than anything else.

Andy Kyte, a research director for technology consulting firm GartnerGroup Inc. and one of the first consultants to publicly raise the D10K issue, said that the 10,000 mark will probably pass with barely a ripple.

Kyte raised the D10K issue last year, when the Dow moved into the 9,000 range, in an alert sent to Gartner clients. He had no hard proof that the problem was serious, but decided it was at least worth warning companies that they should take a look at their computer systems.

Dan Hubbard, spokesman for San Francisco-based discount brokerage Charles Schwab & Co., said the company began to look at D10K earlier last year, testing every display and computer system, including the clock and market activity display outside its main office. Hubbard said the company turned up no serious issues and is ready for the Dow to hit the golden 10,000 mark.

One benefit for companies was that fixing their year 2000 problems allowed them to easily test and repair for D10K problems. “It was a clean sweep for us,” said Bobbie Collins, spokesperson for brokerage firm Merrill Lynch & Co.

Kazim Isfahani, an analyst with the information technology research firm, Giga Information Group, said there was always a chance for some minor failures with D10K. But he added: “Even if a company hasn’t figured this out, the impact won’t be that great. Really, any company that hasn’t had this fixed probably doesn’t deserve to be a company.”