Using AL32UTF8 or ZHS16GBK Characterset

Question

Hi,
Currently, our database is using AL32UTF8 as the characterset but we need to store some Simplified Chinese data in tables.
I know what AL32UTF8 characterset is able to store Simplified Chinese data but not being able to sort the Chinese character by Han yu pin yin (By default). The default is by Binary.
I also know that ZHS16GBK characterset is able to store Simplified Chinese and the default sorting is by Han yu pin yin, which is what I want.
1. So I just wonder what type of characterset should I use, AL32UTF8 or ZHS16GBK?
2. AL32UTF8 is an unicode characterset which can support multi-language but ZHS16GBK characterset can only store Simplified Chinese? Am I right? What about English words, can ZHS16GBK characterset being able to store English words?
3.Which is the recommended Characterset to use for my case?
4. If I choose to set my characterset as AL32UTF8 but I want all the Simplified Chinese data to be sort by Han yu pin yin, how should I do?
5. I read one of the documentation and it state that I can set the NLS_SORT in the nls_Session_parameters to SCHINESE_PINYIN_M. After setting the session parameters, I want into SQLPLUS and execute a select statement (e.g. select short_name from client order by short_name) and the Simplified Chinese short name retrieve is sorted by Han yu pin yin. But when my application (NOT through SQLPLUS) execute the same select statement, the result is not sorted by Han yu pin yin. Why is this so? Did I miss out anything?
6. Lastly, I tried to set the NLS_SORT in the instance parameters as well by changing the spfile but the application using the select statement still cannot sort the Simplified Chinese data by Han yu pin yin. What should I do?

Answer 1

Hi,
Actually, I change the nls_sort for the session paramaters through the setting of the nls_sort in the registry instead of using the alter session command line.
This is so as using alter session command line will only change the nls_sort for that particular session and once I exit the session, the nls_sort will be reset back to the default which is in Binary. I will have to re-alter the nls_sort in the session parameters again.
Thats why I set the nls_sort in the registry so that the nls_sort in the session parameters will remain in the client machine.
After setting the nls_sort in the registry, I am able to sort the Simplified Chinese characters by Han yu pin yin using the SQL*PLUS but not in my application.
My applications are running on Windows environment (Microsoft Windows 2000 5.00.2195 SP3).
The applications are split into front-end and back-end. The backend is using java and the front-end is using a software that is also using java to control.
Basically, the front-end application will execute an electronic data exchange service and it will establish a jdbc oracle thin connection to the database.
There is configuration file that is attached with each Electronic data exchange service. This configuration file contains the select statement (select short_name from client order by short_name) and each configuration file is linked with a datasource which will establish a jdbc oracle thin connection to the database.
But seems like the result of the select statement in the configuration file are not sorted by Han yu pin yin. But executing the same select statement through SQL*PLUS will return the data sorted by Han yu pin yin.
Thanks.