title: Format STR_TO_DATE to a date
body: <p>Hi I have been able to extract a <code>VARCHAR</code> to a date using <code>string_to_date</code>, however whatever I try the date always echoes as e.g. <code>2009-05-25</code><br>
  Here is my code that works:</p>
  
  <pre><code>$query = "SELECT u.url_id, url, title, description, STR_TO_DATE( pub_date, '%d-%b-%Y') 
      AS pub_date FROM urls AS u, url_associations AS ua WHERE u.url_id = ua.url_id AND
      ua.url_category_id=$type AND ua.approved = 'Y' ORDER BY pub_date DESC";
  $result = mysql_query ($query);
  echo "  &lt;tr&gt;
  &lt;td align=\"left\"&gt;{$row['pub_date']}&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;\n";
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have tried <code>DATE_FORMAT</code> and similar methods but I either receive <code>2009-05-25</code> or blank.
  Can anyone help me solve this issue. I am looking and testing but I have decided to ask for help here as the assistance is welcomed and those who helped previously were very kind.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks </p>
  
  <p>Sean</p>