Sql-server – Write differences between varchar and nvarchar

sql servervarchar

Currently in our SQL Server 2012 database, we're using varchar, and we'd like to change that nvarchar. I've generated a script to do that.

My question is are there any differences in how SQL Server writes to varchar columns vs. nvarchar columns? We have a number of backend procedures that I'm concerned about.

Edit:
Not sure if this helps, but the columns don't have indexes, f/k, or constraints on them.

Best Answer

You need to be sure that you prefix Unicode string literals with an N prefix. For example these will work differently if the underlying data type is NVARCHAR:

CREATE TABLE dbo.t(c NVARCHAR(32));

INSERT dbo.t(c) SELECT 'រៀន';
INSERT dbo.t(c) SELECT 'នរៀ';
INSERT dbo.t(c) SELECT N'រៀន';

SELECT c FROM dbo.t;

SELECT c FROM dbo.t WHERE c = 'រៀន';
SELECT c FROM dbo.t WHERE c = N'រៀន';

Results:

c
----
??? -- not stored correctly
??? -- not stored correctly
រៀន -- stored correctly!

c
----
???
??? -- probably not expected, however all Unicode characters have been changed to ?

c
----
រៀន

For those on mobile devices or decrepit browsers that show box characters instead of actual Unicode characters, this is what it looks like:

enter image description here

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