I can't figure out Oracle's encryptic syntax for the life of me. This is Oracle 10g
My session's NLS_LANGUAGE is currently defaulting to AMERICAN. I need to be able to display UTF8 characters.
Below are some of my attempts, all incorrect:
ALTER SESSION SET NLS_LANGUAGE='UTF8'
ALTER SESSION SET NLS_LANGUAGE='AMERICAN_AMERICA.UTF8'
What's the secret command?
Okay, per http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/globalization/htdocs/nls_lang%20faq.htm:
NLS_LANG cannot be changed by ALTER SESSION, NLS_LANGUAGE and NLS_TERRITORY can. However NLS_LANGUAGE and /or NLS_TERRITORY cannot be set as "standalone" parameters in the environment or registry on the client.
Evidently the "right" solution is, before logging into Oracle at all, setting the following environment variable:
export NLS_LANG=AMERICAN_AMERICA.UTF8
Oracle gets a big fat F for usability.
Therefore, before starting '$ sqlplus' on OS, run the followings:
On Windows
set NLS_LANG=AMERICAN_AMERICA.UTF8
On Unix (Solaris and Linux, centos etc)
export NLS_LANG=AMERICAN_AMERICA.UTF8
It would also be advisable to set env variable in your '.bash_profile' [on start up script]
This is the place where other ORACLE env variables (ORACLE_SID, ORACLE_HOME) are usually set.
just fyi - SQL Developer is good at displaying/handling non-English UTF8 characters.
Source: Stackoverflow.com