Bug 118644 Hint for Date Time Parameters
The hint you give for date time parameters (Please enter date ... pattern: MM/DD/YYYY ....) is only true if the date is unformatted. If you apply a format, you must enter it according to it. So it's quite confusing!
UI/org.eclipse.birt.report.designer.ui/src/org/eclipse/birt/report/designer/ui/dialogs/ParameterDialog.java
.getName( ) );
			if ( isStatic( ) )
			{
				inputParameter.setValueType( DesignChoiceConstants.PARAM_VALUE_TYPE_STATIC );
				if ( !DesignChoiceConstants.PARAM_CONTROL_TEXT_BOX.equals( newControlType )
						&& !DesignChoiceConstants.PARAM_CONTROL_CHECK_BOX.equals( newControlType ) )
				{
					for ( Iterator iter = choiceList.iterator( ); iter.hasNext( ); )
					{
						SelectionChoice choice = (SelectionChoice) iter.next( );
						if ( isValidValue( choice.getValue( ) ) == null )
						{
							selectionChioceList.addItem( choice );
						}
					}
				}
				inputParameter.setDataSetName( null );
				inputParameter.setValueExpr( null );
				inputParameter.setLabelExpr( null );
			}
			else
			{
				inputParameter.setValueType( DesignChoiceConstants.PARAM_VALUE_TYPE_DYNAMIC );
				inputParameter.setDataSetName( dataSetChooser.getText( ) );
				inputParameter.setValueExpr( getExpression( columnChooser.getText( ) ) );
				inputParameter.setLabelExpr( getExpression( displayTextChooser.getText( ) ) );
			}
		}
		catch ( Exception e )
		{