date data type and = operator

I have a date field in Oracle using the date type and the out put of a select statement gives the date in dd-MMM-yy but if I use the date field in where clause to see an individual date it gives no error but returns no rows ( I know the date is there) I assume this has something to do with the time but cannot figure it out

my statement looks like this

select *
from table1
where selldate = '22-NOV-98';

this returns no rows and no error

yet the select * from table1; returns many rows with the date 22-NOV-98 in the same format.

If I change the = to > it is OK so I assume the time is in the actual table.

How can I see what is in the actual table?

And what would be the format for the = ' date /time '?

I realize this is probably elementary but I can't find it in any the books I have.

Thanks in advance Received on Tue Nov 10 1998 - 00:00:00 CST