I would start by creating a function like this:

function getDate (tcPattern as character, tcDate as character) as date

  * do some parameter error checking ...

  lnday   = at(tcpattern,[dd])  && position of day in pattern
  lnmonth = at(tcpattern,[mm])  && position of month in pattern
  lnyear  = at(tcpattern,[yy])  && position of year in pattern
  lnyearlen = iif([yyyy] $ tcpattern,4,2) && length of year in pattern

  return (ctod(substr(tcdate,lnmonth,2)+;
        "/"+substr(tcdate,lnday,2)+;
        "/"+substr(tcdate,lnyear,lnyearlen))

endfunc

This of course will only work if you know the pattern that is being applied. Now that we have entered a new century it is harder to determine year than it used to be cause what is: "01/02/03" ?

Have fun!