$ perl dt.pl
ok 1 - compared to 03/02/1999, 03/01/1999 is earlier
ok 2 - compared to 03/02/1999, 03/03/1999 is later
ok 3 - compared to 03/02/1999, 03/02/1998 is earlier
ok 4 - compared to 03/02/1999, 03/02/2000 is later
ok 5 - compared to 03/02/1999, 03/02/1999 is equal
ok 6 - compared to 03/02/1999, 03/02/199  is invalid
1..6