In order to format dates and numbers for HTML, which function can be used?

The TO_CHAR function is designed to format dates and numbers into a specific string format that is suitable for displaying in HTML. This function is particularly effective for converting a date or a numerical value into a character string that follows a defined format, making it easier to present data in a user-friendly manner on web pages.

When working with HTML, it is important to present data clearly and in a way that aligns with user expectations. The TO_CHAR function allows you to specify formats—for example, turning a date like '2023-10-15' into a more readable format like 'October 15, 2023'. Similarly, it can format numbers according to specified patterns, helping to include things like thousands separators or decimal places where necessary. This ensures that the data appears polished and professional within the HTML context.

Other functions like TO_DATE and TO_NUMBER serve different purposes; they convert strings to dates and convert strings to numbers, respectively, but they do not provide the formatting capabilities required for output suitable for HTML. TO_TEXT, while it might seem relevant, is not specifically used for formatting dates and numbers in the same way as TO_CHAR. Thus, TO_CHAR stands out as the most appropriate choice for formatting data for display in HTML.