Language Support (MapChar Sets) 

A Mapchar set is a character set that maps language-specific characters to the ASCII code, EBCDIC code, or UNICODE. This allows you to convert characters. MapChar sets enable country-specific letters to be mapped to one or two non-country-specific letters (for example, representation of "ü" as "ue").

Mapchar sets are only of significance for internal system functions. For example, the Mapchar set is used by the MAPCHAR(x,n,i) SQL function to sort fields containing umlauts.

·        When the database instance is configured, a conversion of these country-specific letters is implicitly allowed and stored under the Mapchar set name DEFAULTMAP (defined as ASCII).

·        If a Mapchar set is defined as UNICODE, then it can be used for UNICODE values only.

·        A Mapchar set that is not defined as UNICODE cannot be used for UNICODE values.

You can change the Mapchar set DEFAULTMAP, and also define other Mapchar sets.

You can use the Database Manager to create, display, change, or delete Mapchar sets. Proceed as described in the documentation Database Manager GUI: SAP DB 7.4, sections Creating Mapchar Sets, Displaying, Changing and Deleting Mapchar Sets.