function StrToDate(const Value: String; UTC: Boolean=False): DateTime
The StrToDate function converts the formatted local or UTC date string input parameter into its native value. The required format of the string is determined by the TFormatSettingsShortDateFormat property. The return value is a DateTime value.
Examples
A := StrToDate('2/13/2012');
X := DateToStr(A); // X is '2/13/2012'