mysql - PHP MySQLi getting invoice due and working out if its late -

i have function have done gets invoice_due_date, in either format: 12/06/2015 or 06/12/2015 new , little lost on how can want do.

i need date (either format) dd/mm/yyyy or mm/dd/yyyy , compare date todays date , if late show how many invoices late.

i guess need date, check date format , see if later todays today , output number of how many invoices late.

php far:

function countlateinvoices() {     // connect database     $mysqli = new mysqli(database_host, database_user, database_pass, database_name);      // output connection error     if ($mysqli->connect_error) {         die('error : ('.$mysqli->connect_errno .') '. $mysqli->connect_error);     }      $query = "select invoice_due_date                  `invoices`";      // mysqli select query     $results = $mysqli->query($query);      /* determine number of rows result set */     $row_cnt = $results->num_rows;      echo $row_cnt;      // frees memory associated result     $results->free();      // close connection      $mysqli->close(); }