I’m not an expert on collation in SQL Server, but there are a few important facts which I’ve had to learn the hard way. In this episode I share the basics, along with helpful resources to learn more.

Localization Correction

The default collation on a SQL Server install will be “the oldest available version that’s associated with each specific locale.” So if your Windows installation has a different localization than mine – I always use English (USA) – then you’ll see a different default collation than the one I discuss in the episode. The main point is still the same: it won’t be the recommended collation for *new* development.

Resources

• Questions About SQL Server Collations You Were Too Shy to Ask, by Robert Sheldon - https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/sql/sql-development/questions-sql-server-collations-shy-ask
• Collation and Unicode Support - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/collations/collation-and-unicode-support