!!!TO_DATE
!Functionality:
This Oracle function converts a string to a date/time format, usually so that subsequent formatting or manipulation can be made

!Parameters:
|STRING |the date you want converted from
|Format | (optional) the [format|DATE FORMAT MODELS] that the string is in – to be used if different than the default defined in [NLS_DATE_FORMAT] settings (DD-MON-YYYY)

!Returns: 
Date/Time

!Errors:  
None

!Operations: 
This function is used to take a string and convert it to a date, so that it can be re-formatted or manipulated using a date function. 
 
!Example:

{{to_date(~)}}  will convert the string in format DD-MON-YYYY to a date

{{to_date(~,'YYYYMMDD')}}  will convert the string in format YYYYMMDD to a date for further action