Hi there

How can I input Chinese symbols into a SQL database?

Basically a client has asked me to add a section in Chinese (not written by me!) to a predominantly English site stating that the company in question does alot of business with China and encourages it through the website; so what I need to do is add a little bit of Chinese text to the database.

Also, will it display on the outputted page correctly??

Any ideas?

thanks

Adam

This depends on the database you are using and the character set of the web site (among other things)...

Are you using SQL Server? Oracle? Something else?

What character set is the web site served in? What character set will the Chinese part be served in? While it is possible to serve the entire site using a Unicode character set, most sites choose to use a local character set for Asian viewers since a large chunk of the browsers in those markets don't support Unicode.

Justin
Distributed Database Consulting, Inc.
http://www.ddbcinc.com/askDDBC

I'm using sql server 2000.

Do you think it might be best to write the chinese in graphic form then and pull it from the db as a graphic? that way it won't be changed depending on the local character set.

A graphic of the text would work. The big technical problem would be page size and load time. You would also prevent people from being able to do something useful with the text (i.e. cut-and-paste contact information). You may also end up sending a message to potential customers if your website is seen to support Chinese poorly.

Justin
Distributed Database Consulting, Inc.
http://www.ddbcinc.com/askDDBC

Moreover, the support of the progarmming language is also a concern as some language restrict the use of non-english string in its design.....