sql - Oracle : specify a larger or smaller in date data type -

i have table with:

• two columns : date_1 , date_2
• data type date (dd-mm-yyyy)
• database oracle

i want know whether date_1 greater or smaller date_2.

my script:

decode (to_char(date_1,'yyyyddmm') > to_char(date_2,'yyyyddmm'), 'greater','smaller') status 

cmiiw

as datatype of both date not need convert date char.

select case when date_1 > date_2 'date_1 greater'              when date_1 = date_2 'date_1 equal date_2'                                  else 'date_1 smaller'        end