Re: to_char() accepting invalid dates?

On 2011-07-18, Thomas Kellerer <spam_eater(at)gmx(dot)net> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I just noticed that to_char() will "accept" invalid dates such as 2011-02-31 and "adjust" them accordingly:
>
> postgres=> select to_date('20110231', 'yyyymmdd');
>
> to_date
> ------------
> 2011-03-03
> (1 row)
>
> is there a way to have to_date() raise an exception in such a case?

it's possible the odd behaviour you get is required by some standard.
however 'yyyymmdd' is a format that postgres understands natively,
so just cast the string to date.

jasen=# select '20110303'::date;
date
------------
2011-03-03
(1 row)

jasen=# select '20110231'::date;
ERROR: date/time field value out of range: "20110231"
LINE 1: select '20110231'::date;
^

postgres also understands YYYY-MM-DD and possilby a locale
dependant form with the year last

--
⚂⚃ 100% natural