Re: Accented Characters with US7ASCII

Keith,

Have been dealing with something similar. Here's what I can tell you.

• Even when the database is configured in US7ASCII, Oracle still stores 8-bits for each byte of data (hey, do you blame him?).
• You can put "8-bit" data into the database. For example, you can insert CHR(217) into a character field. If you look at that value using RAWTOHEX, you'll see X'D9' which converts to 217. Neat--Oracle stored your data, right?
• Yeah, but as far as he's concerned, you're not supposed to care about that 8th bit. So, when you select that value out of the database you'll get capital "y" (i.e. "Y"). Happens to have an ASCII value = to 217-128 which is what conveniently happens when you strip the 8th bit off, you're subtracting 128 from that binary value.
• To boot, if you export the data (using EXP) and then subsequently import it (using IMP), you'll shreik in terror when you find out CHR (217) turned into CHR(89), our buddy capital "Y". Remember--Oracle figured you didn't care about that 8th bit, so he lost it. He was being a nice guy to store it in the first place.

So, if you're application can "interpret" the ASCII codes stored in your database and display what you want; and, if you're sure that you'll never want to EXPort your database to have a backup, then you may just be able to get away with it. Otherwise, you are SOL until you convert to an 8-bit charset.

Have fun.

Matt.

In article <8topho$eha$1_at_kermit.esat.net>,   "Keith Jamieson" <Keith.Jamieson_at_phoenix.ie> wrote:
> Is it possible to use accented characters with the US7ASCII
 charcacter set.
> Specifically, I have Oracle 8, US7ASCII, and German, where I need to
 use
> special german characters.
>
> I know I can do this using the WEIISO charcacter sets, but I have a
> restriction imposed, which means I must use the US7ASCII character
 set.
>
> I will be happy if I can verify that I put the character into the
 database
> and read the correct ascii value out of the database.
>
> TIA
>
> Keith Jamieson
> Phoenix Technology Group
>
>

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy. Received on Wed Nov 01 2000 - 17:09:52 CST