I've gone through this a couple of times, and I think I've learned a few things from it (not that I can't learn some more). =20 The NLS_LANG parameter on the Oracle client (and exactly what is the client is not always easy to spot in an n-tier environment)=20 matches the codeset actually being used by the _client_, and the the NLS_LANG parameter on the Oracle server matches what is being used by the server (an easier task to verify) then everything works. Most likely, your web server is not using and encoding compatible with its NLS_LANG parameter. Notice I did not say that the NLS_LANG setting on the client must match that of the Server. All of your character conversions is done by the client; to do this it has to know what the user is using, and it can't get that from the Server. I would try changing the NLS_LANG setting on the web server to match whatever codeset you are using. -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Ron Rogers Sent: Tue 4/13/2004 2:40 PM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc:=09 Subject: Re: Extended Characters Deanna, the =3DBF is created by holding down the "Alt" key and hitting number = 168. =3D Perhaps there is a conversion error in the application that generates = =3D those key strokes. Ron >>> deanna.schneider@xxxxxxxxxxxx 04/13/2004 1:22:01 PM >>> Hi All, I'm just a lowly developer, so bear with me, please. We do a lot of development with web applications (using ColdFusion) that insert data = =3D using the jdbc drivers into Oracle (8.1.7). These are the language variables = in Oracle. Supposedly, they've been set to match in the java server, too: NLS_LANGUAGE - American NLS_TERRITORY - America NLS_CHARACTERSET - WE8DEC (an extended character set, Western European) We have a recurring problem with the Microsoft Extended Characters = turning into upside down question marks on insert. The DBA and Coldfusion admins say, "there's nothing that can be done." The recommended hack is to change all extended characters to their html entities before insert - which works fine if you're using the data only = on webpages. Not such a good approach if you want it for other stuff - like downloadable spreadsheets and such. Can you think of anything that could be done? --=3D20 Deanna Schneider UWEX-Cooperative Extension Interactive Media Developer ---------------------------------------------------------------- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com=3D20 ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send email to: oracle-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D20 put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. -- Archives are at //www.freelists.org/archives/oracle-l/=3D20 FAQ is at //www.freelists.org/help/fom-serve/cache/1.html=3D20 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send email to: oracle-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. -- Archives are at //www.freelists.org/archives/oracle-l/ FAQ is at //www.freelists.org/help/fom-serve/cache/1.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send email to: oracle-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. -- Archives are at //www.freelists.org/archives/oracle-l/ FAQ is at //www.freelists.org/help/fom-serve/cache/1.html -----------------------------------------------------------------