Char vs. Nchar column datatypes for strings

[Guest]

Is it advisable to use nchar columns instead of char columns as indices would
not be used when parameterized queries are used by the application which are
always unicode based?

Please advise.

Thanks

 

[Robbe Morris [C# MVP]]

What you ran a query plan, did you notice it not
using the index?

These days, it is almost a sure way to shoot
yourself in the foot not planning for unicode characters.
So, you've got to make your decision based on
the likelihood that you might need to store
international characters. Columns that are codes
that will "never" be shown to the user, sent
to other systems, or potentially can be translated
back and forth are ok to be char.