# Transformer datadate

When a transformer runs, `transcript.exe` is executed and one of the command line arguments it requires is a date in yyyyMMdd format which is termed the *data date*. The activities performed by Transcript are associated with this date in several ways, most notably:

* when importing using automatic source tagging which specific Dataset file to import from `\collected`
* to determine the concept of 'today' when processing files containing data with timestamps spanning multiple days
* to determine the output directory into which [RDF](https://github.com/exivity/docs/tree/4455d34021b8c3e12ce1b09914544d96f4a3b270/general/concepts/rdfs/README.md) files will be generated
* to generate the filename of the RDF files generated

The data date is made available to a Transcript task through the automatic creation of the `${dataDate}` variable