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Asked: 2026-06-10T15:07:39+00:00

I’v read that DATE format is controlled by NLS_DATE_FORMAT setting defined at global scope

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I’v read that DATE format is controlled by NLS_DATE_FORMAT setting defined at global scope (nls_database_parameters) or at session scope (nls_session_parameters). However, I’m able to insert DATE value of the format ‘YYYY.MM.DD’. Here’s an insert:

INSERT INTO people (id, name, surname, birth) VALUES (11, 'John', 'Johny', '1979.02.23')

Here are settings from nls_database_parameters:

NLS_TERRITORY = AMERICA
NLS_DATE_FORMAT = DD-MON-RR
NLS_DATE_LANGUAGE = AMERICAN

Here are the settings from nls_session_parameters:

NLS_TERRITORY = CANADA
NLS_DATE_FORMAT = RR-MM-DD
NLS_DATE_LANGUAGE = ENGLISH

As supossed, birth values appears as ‘YY.MM.DD’ when selecting, so nls_session_parameters take priority. NSL_SESSION_Parameters are related to the settings used in Windows XP Regional and language settings. However, not sure why Oracle is not complaining when I do inserting with ‘YYYY.MM.DD’?

UPDATE: It appears NLS_DATE_FORMAT was implicitly set to ‘RR.MM.DD’ (not YY.MM.DD), and RR year format allows to insert full year. If year value is presented in RR format then Oracle rounds to a year in the range 1950 to 2049. Thus, 06 is considered 2006 instead of 1906. Also, thanks to comprehensive paulsm4 referenced article.

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    The NLS_DATE_FORMAT you set in your init.ora, or even in your session, can be overridden by other factors. Here’s a good link that gives more details:

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