function get_value()
 {
     $value = parent::get_value();
     $form =& $this->find_parent_by_class('form_component');
     if ($form->is_first_time()) {
     }
     return $value;
 }
 function get_value()
 {
     $form =& $this->find_parent_by_class('form_component');
     $value = parent::get_value();
     if (empty($value)) {
         $value = $this->get_attribute('default_value');
     }
     if ($form->is_first_time()) {
         $locale =& locale::instance();
         $date =& new date($value);
         $value = $date->format($locale->get_short_date_format());
     }
     return $value;
 }