Return array of varchar from oracle to java

Question

Hi,
I am trying to return an array of varchar from database to java. However, when I print the values in java, it prints hexadecimal values like this.
0x656E7472792031
0x656E7472792032
0x656E7472792033
0x656E7472792034
I am using oracle 9.2.0.5.0 and jdk 1.4
This happens only when the NLS character set of the database is WE8MSWIN1252 (default character set).
It works fine on databases with UTF8 and US7ASCII character sets.
Any leads to the reason behind this behaviour is greatly aprpeciated.
Here's the code snippet...
<code>
//USER DEFINED TYPE
create or replace type SimpleArray
 as table of varchar2(30)
</code>
<code>
// FUNCTION RETURNING USER DEFINED TYPE
create or replace function getSimpleArray return SimpleArray
 as
 l_data simpleArray := simpleArray();
 begin
  for i in 1 .. 10 loop
      l_data.extend;
      l_data(l_data.count) := 'entry ' || i;
    end loop;
    return l_data;
  end;
</code>
<code>
// JAVA METHOD
public static void main(String[] args)
     try {
          Class.forName("oracle.jdbc.driver.OracleDriver");
          String url = "jdbc:oracle:thin:@localhost:1521:db1252";
          Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection(url, "ring", "ring");
          CallableStatement stmt = conn.prepareCall("{? = call "
                         + "getSimpleArray" + "}");
          Array rs = null;
          ResultSet rsltSet = null;
          stmt.registerOutParameter(1, Types.ARRAY, "SIMPLEARRAY");
          stmt.execute();
          rs = stmt.getArray(1);
          String[] values = (String[]) rs.getArray();
          System.out.println(rs.getBaseTypeName());
          System.out.println(values.length);
          for (int i = 0; i < values.length; i++) {
               System.out.println(values);
          rsltSet = rs.getResultSet();
     } catch (Exception e) {
          System.err.println("Got an exception! ");
          System.err.println(e.getMessage());
</code>
Thanks,
Vivek

Answer 1

Actually, check nls_charset12.zip. It looks like 9.2.0.5 driver contains only the *.zip version. Make sure that the file exists in the directory pointed by the CLASSPATH. Use full path, do not use %ORACLE_HOME%.
I have reproduced your problem without nls_charset12.zip and I could not reproduce it with the file in the class path. Double-check how classpath is set in your environment. Maybe it is overriden by some configuration or batch file.
-- Sergiusz