} else if (o instanceof String) {
            return toPrimitiveShort((String) o);
        } else if (o instanceof java.util.Date) {
            if (pattern != null) {
                return Short.parseShort(new SimpleDateFormat(pattern).format(o));
            }
            return (short) ((java.util.Date) o).getTime();
        } else if (o instanceof Boolean) {
            return ((Boolean) o) ? (short) 1 : (short) 0;