You can convert dates to characters using the TO_CHAR() function as shown in the following examples:

SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'DD-MON-YYYY') FROM DUAL;

-- SYSDATE returns the current date

07-MAY-2006

SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'YYYY/MM/DD') FROM DUAL;

2006/05/07

SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'MONTH DD, YYYY') FROM DUAL;

MAY 07, 2006

SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'fmMONTH DD, YYYY') FROM DUAL;

May 7, 2006

SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'fmDAY, MONTH DD, YYYY') FROM DUAL;

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2006