String 

NLS_DATE_FORMAT = "fmt" 

Dynamic. Scope = ALTER SESSION. 

Derived from NLS_TERRITORY 

Any valid date format mask but not exceeding a fixed length 

NLS_DATE_FORMAT specifies the default date format to use with the TO_CHAR and TO_DATE functions. The default value of this parameter is determined by NLS_TERRITORY. The value of this parameter can be any valid date format mask, and the value must be surrounded by double quotation marks. For example:

NLS_DATE_FORMAT = "MM/DD/YYYY"

• Oracle8i National Language Support Guide for more information on setting this parameter.

• Oracle8i Distributed Database Systems for information on setting this parameter in heterogeneous systems.