Re: TO_DATE problem

Brad McBride wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I am working with converting a flat file database into an Oracle
> database in order to make our recordkeeping more efficient. So far,
> Oracle has been working great. I am now at a point where I have all of
> the test data working the way that it should and am ready to import the
> data over from the flat files. This is where my problem comes in. I am
> having to work with a date that was stored in the flat file as (for
> example) 12/09/98. I am trying to convert it into a usable Oracle date
> by using the TO_DATE(12/09/98, 'MM/DD/YY') function but when I try this
> I get an error that states, "ORA-01858: a non-numeric character was
> found where a numeric was expected". This has been driving me nuts. Any
> help that someone could provide will be greatly appriciated.
>
> Brad McBride

Brad,

If u are using sql*loader and the position of the fields are uniform on all the rows, u can specify the date field in the following syntax in your sql*loader .ctl file :-

date_field position (01:08) date "mm/dd/yy"

• (01:08) -- presuming that the date_field exists starts from column 01 and ends at 08th column on each row.

Sai Received on Tue Dec 15 1998 - 15:55:59 CST