Change characterset of db

Question

Hello
When I want to change WE8MSWIN1252 to UTF-8 or al32utf8 using export import.
What should be the order?
Export data.
Create new databse with new characterset
Import data
or
Do I need to perform any additional step to convert characterset prior to import ?

Answer 1

Hi,
1. Run Csscan utility on ur existing DB to determine any other problems can occurs during conversion.
csscan system/password full=y tochar=UTF8 array=10240 process=10
2.Check CSSCAN logs and error.log files to see if any character conversion problem occurs.....
3. if problem with Varchar2 field length then u can to run the following script to change the fields length or change the type to CLOB.
--To generate the script run the following query
select 'alter table '||owner||'.'||table_name||' modify ('||column_name||' varchar2('||DATA_LENGTH||' CHAR));' 
from dba_tab_columns
where data_type  = 'VARCHAR2';4.Repeat step 1 and 2
5. Compile all invalid objects
6. Export ur current DB
7. Create new DB with UTF8 Characterset
8.Import into new DB make sure the Enviornment Variable NLS_LANG=UTF8 is set to avoid statistics error
9. Generate object statistics after import.
plz mark as correct/helpful if it is
Baig,
[My Oracle Blog|http://baigsorcl.blogspot.com/]