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
clearArea( valueArea );
					switchToText( );
				}
				valueArea.layout( );
				initValueArea( );
				lastControlType = type;
			}
		}
		refreshCheckBoxArea( );
		updateMessageLine( );
		boolean radioEnable = false;
		if ( PARAM_CONTROL_COMBO.equals( getSelectedControlType( ) )
				|| PARAM_CONTROL_LIST.equals( getSelectedControlType( ) ) )
		{
			radioEnable = true;
		}
		if ( radioEnable != staticRadio.isEnabled( ) )
		{
			staticRadio.setEnabled( radioEnable );
			dynamicRadio.setEnabled( radioEnable );
		}
	}
	private void switchParamterType( )
	{
		clearArea( valueArea );
		lastControlType = null;
		if ( isStatic( ) )
		{
			switchToStatic( );
		}