SQL*Plus Globalization Support

quote from:

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/12.2/sqpug/SQL-Plus-globalization-support.html#GUID-6582FEDC-B8EF-4F31-9696-B9E862B8DADB

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Globalization support enables the storing, processing and retrieval of data in native languages. The languages that can be stored in an Oracle database are encoded by Oracle Database-supported character sets. Globalization support ensures that database utilities, error messages, sort order, and date, time, monetary, numeric, and calendar conventions adjust to the native language and locale.

Topics:

• About Configuring Globalization Support in Command-line SQL*Plus

• NLS_LANG Environment Variable

For more information on globalization support, see the Oracle Technology Network globalization notes at http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/products/globalization/

and see Overview of Globalization Support.

11.1 About Configuring Globalization Support in Command-line SQL*Plus

SQL*Plus supports multiple languages through the NLS_LANG environment variable. To display another language in SQL*Plus, before starting SQL*Plus you must configure:

• NLS_LANG in the SQL*Plus client environment.

• The Oracle Database during installation.

11.1.1 SQL*Plus Client

The SQL*Plus client environment is configured by setting the NLS_LANG environment variable which is read by SQL*Plus at startup.

11.1.2 Oracle Database

The Oracle Database environment is configured by creating the database with the required character set.

11.2 NLS_LANG Environment Variable

The NLS_LANG environment variable has three components, each controlling a subset of the globalization features.

Your operating system and keyboard must be able to support the character set you have chosen. You may need to install additional support software. For more information about NLS_LANG, and software support, see Setting Up a Globalization Support Environment.

Setting up locale specific behavior on the SQL*Plus client is achieved with the use of NLS parameters. These parameters may be specified in a number of ways, including as an initialization parameter on the server. For settings that control the behavior of the server, see NLS Database Parameters.