In Oracle Database, we can use the TH format element to add the ordinal number suffix to the result of a TO_CHAR() operation when formatting dates.
For example, instead of outputting 10 Feb we could output 10th Feb. Or, instead of outputting 21 century, we can output 21st century. The same applies for spelled date components. For example, instead of Twenty One, we can output Twenty First.
Oracle Database includes a good selection of datetime format elements. that enable us to format dates and times when using the TO_CHAR(datetime) function.
One of these (the YEAR format element) allows us to format a date with the year spelled out. For example, instead of 1972, we’d get NINETEEN SEVENTY-TWO.
We can also use SYEAR so that BC dates are prefixed with a minus sign (-).
Below are three ways to return time zone information from a datetime value in Oracle Database.
With Oracle Database, we can use the TO_CHAR(datetime) function to return the century from a datetime value.
To do this, we can use either the CC format element, or the SCC format element. We can combine these with other format elements to do things like, display the ordinal number, spell out the century, etc.
In Oracle Database, you can use the fm (fill mode) format modifier to suppress any leading zeroes that might be applied to a date. This format modifier suppresses padding, which includes leading zeros and trailing blanks.
To use the fm format modifier, include it in your format model when specifying how dates should be formatted. For example when using the TO_CHAR() function to format dates, or in NLS parameters such as the NLS_DATE_FORMAT parameter when setting the date format for your current session.
When formatting dates in Oracle Database, we have the option of using RR and YY to return a two digit year.
These two format elements are similar. The difference is in how they interpret two digits years.
We also have the option of using RRRR and YYYY when returning four digit years.
Most of the major RDBMSs have functions that enable us to extract the day, month, and year from datetime values.
Some RDBMSs provide multiple ways to do this, and others are more limited. Below are examples of extracting the day, month, and year from date values in some of the most popular RDBMSs.