In Oracle 10gR2:
SELECT *
FROM NLS_SESSION_PARAMETERS
WHERE parameter IN ('NLS_COMP', 'NLS_SORT')
SQL> ALTER SESSION SET NLS_COMP = 'LINGUISTIC'
2 /
Session altered
SQL> SELECT COUNT(*)
2 FROM dual
3 WHERE 'a' = 'A'
4 /
COUNT(*)
1
SQL> ALTER SESSION SET NLS_COMP = 'BINARY'
2 /
Session altered
SQL> SELECT COUNT(*)
2 FROM dual
3 WHERE 'a' = 'A'
4 /
COUNT(*)
0
From the documentation :
NLS_COMP indicates the sorting behavior of the database session.
values:
BINARY
Typically, comparisons in a section WHEREand in blocks PL/SQLare binary unless you specify a function NLSSORT.
LINGUISTIC
SQL WHERE PL/SQL , NLS_SORT. , , .
ANSI
ANSI ; NLS_COMP LINGUISTIC