How do I compare two dates and determine which is earlier?

  startDate <- 2024-01-15
  endDate <- 2024-06-30

  if startDate < endDate          earlier date
  if startDate == endDate         same date
  ordering <- startDate <=> endDate  negative = earlier, zero = same, positive = later

  earlier <- startDate <? endDate   returns the earlier date
  later <- startDate >? endDate     returns the later date

defines module qa.operators.comparedates

  defines function

    <?- Compare two dates and return spaceship ordering. -?>
    compareDates() as pure
      ->
        left as Date
        right as Date
      <- rtn as Integer: left <=> right

    <?- Check if the first date is before the second. -?>
    isBefore() as pure
      ->
        left as Date
        right as Date
      <- rtn as Boolean: left < right

    <?- Return the earlier of two dates using coalescing min. -?>
    earlierOf() as pure
      ->
        left as Date
        right as Date
      <- rtn as Date: left <? right

    <?- Return the later of two dates using coalescing max. -?>
    laterOf() as pure
      ->
        left as Date
        right as Date
      <- rtn as Date: left >? right

  defines program

    CompareDatesDemo()
      stdout <- Stdout()

      // === DATE LITERALS ===

      startDate <- 2024-01-15
      endDate <- 2024-06-30
      midYear <- 2024-06-30

      // === COMPARISON VIA FUNCTION ===

      before <- isBefore(startDate, endDate)
      stdout.println(`Start before end: ${before}`)

      // === SPACESHIP ORDERING VIA FUNCTION ===

      ordering <- compareDates(startDate, endDate)
      stdout.println(`Start <=> End: ${ordering}`)

      sameCheck <- compareDates(endDate, midYear)
      stdout.println(`End <=> MidYear: ${sameCheck}`)

      // === COALESCING: FIND EARLIER AND LATER ===

      earlier <- earlierOf(startDate, endDate)
      later <- laterOf(startDate, endDate)
      stdout.println(`Earlier: ${earlier}`)
      stdout.println(`Later: ${later}`)

      // === SORTED DATE LIST VIA STREAM ===

      dates <- List() of Date
      dates += endDate
      dates += startDate
      dates += midYear

      sorted <- cat dates | sort | collect as List of Date
      stdout.println(`Sorted dates: ${sorted}`)

      // === STRING CONVERSION ===

      dateStr <- $startDate
      stdout.println(`Start date as string: ${dateStr}`)

      // === ISSET CHECK ===

      require startDate?
      unsetDate <- Date()
      require ~unsetDate?

<- rtn as Boolean: left.isBefore(right)

<- rtn as Boolean: left < right