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Oracle® Database Reference 10g Release 2 (10.2) Part Number B14237-02 |
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# NLS_LENGTH_SEMANTICS

Property | Description
--- | ---
Parameter type | String
Syntax | `NLS_LENGTH_SEMANTICS =` `string` Example: `NLS_LENGTH_SEMANTICS = 'CHAR'`
Default value | `BYTE`
Modifiable | `ALTER SESSION`
Range of values | `BYTE | CHAR`

`NLS_LENGTH_SEMANTICS` enables you to create `CHAR` and `VARCHAR2` columns using either byte or character length semantics. Existing columns are not affected.

`NCHAR`, `NVARCHAR2`, `CLOB`, and `NCLOB` columns are always character-based. You may be required to use byte semantics in order to maintain compatibility with existing applications.

`NLS_LENGTH_SEMANTICS` does not apply to tables in `SYS` and `SYSTEM`. The data dictionary always uses byte semantics.