The NLS_SORT option specifies the sequence of character values used when sorting or comparing text. The value of NLS_SORT affects the GT, GE, LT, and LE operators, SORT command, and the SORTLINES function.
Within a session, you can dynamically modify the value of this option using the OLAP DML syntax show below or by using the SQL statement ALTER SESSION SET option = value.
See Oracle Database Globalization Support Guide for more information about the NLS_SORT parameter.
Example 5-78 Binary and Linguistic Sorts
A dimension named words has the following values.
cerveza, Colorado, cheremoya, llama, luna, lago
This example shows the results of a binary sort.
NLS_SORT = 'BINARY' SORT words A words STATUS words The current status of WORDS is: Colorado, cerveza, cheremoya, lago, llama, luna
A Spanish language sort results in this order.
NLS_SORT = 'SPANISH' SORT words A words STATUS words The current status of WORDS is: cerveza, cheremoya, Colorado, lago, llama, luna
An extended Spanish language sort results in this order.
NLS_SORT = 'XSPANISH' SORT words A words STATUS words The current status of WORDS is: cerveza TO cheremoya, lago TO llama