title: Convert VARCHAR2 to TIMESTAMP in Oracle
body: <p>I have a VARCHAR2 value in the format '14-SEP-11 12.33.48.537150 AM' and I need to convert this to a TIMESTAMP as is. That is like,</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT TO_DATE('14-SEP-11 12.33.48.537150 AM', '&lt;format_string&gt;') FROM DUAL;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I want the return from the above query to be '14-SEP-11 12.33.48.537150 AM' in TIMESTAMP data format.</p>
  
  <p>What should be the 'format_string' for this.</p>
  
  <p>Please help since I tried many things but none works.. :(</p>
  
  <p>I am using Oracle 11gR2.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks.</p>