Collate character data

Collation is the process of sorting data values in columns that have character data types.

For an explanation of collation order and a discussion of the two methods of sorting character data (code-set order and localized order), see Character classes of the code set.

By default, the database server sorts strings according to the collation that the DB_LOCALE setting implies, and client applications sort according to the CLIENT_LOCALE setting, if this setting is different from the DB_LOCALE setting.

The SET COLLATION statement of HCL OneDB™ can specify a localized collation different from the DB_LOCALE setting for the current session.

See the HCL OneDB Guide to SQL: Syntax for the syntax of this statement. Database objects that sort strings, such as indexes or triggers, use the collation that was in effect at the time of their creation when they sort NCHAR or NVARCHAR values, if this setting is different from the DB_LOCALE setting.

The collation order of the database server affects SQL statements that perform sorting operations, including CREATE INDEX and SELECT statements.