Nifty!

Oracle SQL may have the occasional snapshot isolation gaffe, but its in-query string manipulation is a downright lifesaver. Here are a few references to get started:

http://www.techonthenet.com/oracle/functions/replace.php

http://www.techonthenet.com/oracle/functions/substr.php

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14200/functions134.htm

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14200/functions196.htm#i1501659