Outer join syntax - oracle 8i

Question

Here is an Oracle 8i issue I've run into ....
I am trying to create a table that contains a record for each hour of the day (even if count is 0). I have a problem when I try a right outer join using the following syntax:
SELECT MDT.date_field, COUNT(*)
FROM MASTER_DATE_TABLE MDT, hsa_tgt.PICIS_OR POR
WHERE MDT.date_field = TO_CHAR(POR.OR_IN_DTTM,'YYYYMMDDHH24') (+)
AND TO_DATE(MDT.date_field,'YYYYMMDDHH24') >= '01-Jan-2006'
AND TO_DATE(MDT.date_field,'YYYYMMDDHH24') <= '31-Jan-2006'
GROUP BY MDT.date_field;
The problem 'SQL code no properly ended' only occurs if I use the TO_CHAR function (or any function for that matter) on the outer join line.
Is there a workaround? I did manage to create a temporary table and then successfully do an outer join in order to bypass having the to_char function in the join statement.
Maybe a union?
TIA

Answer 1

I had to put it in a subquery? (if that's what it's called)
SELECT a1.date_field DateAndHour, b1.OR_date, NVL(b1.record_count,0)
FROM  MASTER_DATE_TABLE a1,
              (SELECT TO_CHAR(b.OR_IN_DTTM,'YYYYMMDDHH24') OR_date, COUNT(*) record_count
            FROM hsa_tgt.PICIS_OR b
            GROUP BY TO_CHAR(b.OR_IN_DTTM,'YYYYMMDDHH24')) b1
WHERE a1.date_field  = b1.OR_date (+)
GROUP BY a1.date_field, b1.OR_date, b1.record_count
HAVING (TO_DATE(a1.date_field,'YYYYMMDDHH24') BETWEEN '01-Jan-2006' AND '31-Jan-2006')
ORDER BY a1.date_field;