Re: UTF-8 Unicode.

Take a look at this document that describes considerations for Globalization. (You might need a free OTN membership). http://download-west.oracle.com/docs/cd/B10501_01/server.920/a96529/ch6.htm# 1656

I can't speak much about Forms/Reports but I would assume that you will need to recompile that, unless they were already UTF enabled. Oracle does has the ability for implicit conversion of some datatypes to UTF and back. Depends on what you are using.

More Info:
Oracle has 2 datatypes for character storage: VARCHAR2 and NVARCHAR2. You can define a database which has these with separate characterset. Like VARCHAR2 can be using a AL32UTF8 (UTF8-32bits) (Oracle's characterset) and NVARCHAR2 can be using AL16UTF16 (UTF16). Or same. You can find out what they are currently by: SELECT * FROM NLS_DATABASE_PARAMETERS. (Might need some permissions).

Further you can specify, while creating the database if you want the database in 'BYTE' semantics or 'CHAR' sematics. The difference is, in Byte semantics, a VARCHAR2(20) column means 20 bytes of storage (and may only hold 10 characters). However in CHAR semantics, a VARCHAR2(20) means 20 unicode(whatever character set you specfied) characters and implicitely the needed size of bytes will be allocated. Default is BYTE semantics. Also for NVARCHAR2 datatypes its always CHAR semantics (no matter what your database semantics are).

Importing a non-utf database to UTF8 should be easy as Oracle can do implicit conversion. However I haven't tried this myself.

HTH

--
Amit
Development Engineer
http://www.roguewave.com/products/sourcepro/db/
[Disclaimer: All views expressed here are my personal views and they can be
incorrect at times]



"Gaetan Poitras" <poitrasg_at_crcsogema.com> wrote in message
news:3ebc2be2.0304210621.50c8870_at_posting.google.com...


> Hello.. I am using Windows NT Server Or Windows 2000 Server

> And ORacle 8i 8.1.7 , Forms 6i and report 6i

>

> I need to install a database where I can store Special Ethiopian

> Character and I think I have to use Unicode UTF-8..

>

> As far as I understand, when I create the database I have to specify

> CHARACTER SET UTF8

> After that.. Do I have to do anything else on my application ?

> Will my forms 6i and reports 6i needs to be recompiled ?

>

> Will my IMPORT of the database structure will work if I exported a

> normal database and try to import into a UTF-8 scheme ?

>

> Do I have to change the VARCHAR2 and CHAR charecter definition..

> example if i had before a CHAR(1) do I have to change this for a

> CHAR(3) ?

>

> Thank you

> Poitrasg_at_crcsogema.com