Oracle Database Discussions

hi guys,

i have unicode database (10g) with
nls_length_semantics = 'BYTE'


i try alter system set nls_length_semantics = 'CHAR';

then i try a select * from nls_instance_parameters;


now it is showing that the parameter value is CHAR.


However when i create a new table, i can see that the column size are still in bytes.


q1) how to change the whole database from byte to char

q2) will the change affect existing table columns in bytes ? and its data

*q3) if i export a schema from a database with tables define in BYTE, then i do a import into a database with nls_length_semantics = CHAR

will the tables imported be redefined as CHAR
or will it still be in bytes ?

q4) is there any sql statement whereby i can see if a table column is in byte or char.

doing a describe doesnt show

q5) i try to recreate a new session
and do a
select * from nls_session_parameters

the nls_length_semantics are still in BYTES
but from nls_instance_parameters, it is in CHAR

why is it so? do i need to bounce the db?

thanks guys!

Message was edited by:
OracleWannabe