NLS_STRING_UNITS global variable

This built-in global variable specifies the default string units that are used when defining character and graphic data types in a Unicode database.

This global variable has the following characteristics:
  • It is a read/write variable, with values maintained by the user.
  • The type is VARCHAR(11 OCTETS).
  • The schema is SYSIBM.
  • The scope of this global variable is session.
  • It has a default value of NULL.
This global variable is only applicable to a Unicode database and must have a value of NULL, 'SYSTEM', or 'CODEUNITS32' (SQLSTATE 42815).
NULL
The STRING_UNITS database configuration parameter is used to determine the default string units
SYSTEM
CHAR, VARCHAR, and CLOB data types defined without specifying the CODEUNITS32 keyword will default to OCTETS.

GRAPHIC, VARGRAPHIC, and DBCLOB data types defined without specifying the CODEUNITS32 keyword will default to CODEUNITS16.

CODEUNITS32
CHAR, VARCHAR, and CLOB data types defined without specifying the OCTETS keyword will default to CODEUNITS32.

GRAPHIC, VARGRAPHIC, and DBCLOB data types defined without specifying the CODEUNITS16 keyword will default to CODEUNITS32.