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I have a MSSQL database, which contains Unicode (utf8) data. My workstation is linux (currently Ubuntu) and looking for a tool to work with mssql database I found SQSH. The problem is - when I select data in the sqsh console I get jibberish instead of unicode characters. Using switch "-J utf8" or "-J utf-8" didn't change anything.

The question is - how to set up sqsh to work with utf-8 data?

If it is not possible, do you know any alternative tools usable from linux for work with mssql databases filled with utf-8 data. I need to execute all kinds of T-SQL, run previsously prepared SQL script files, and pipe out results for processing afterwards. A good GUI (open source) could also be used, not limited to shell clients.

Krišjānis Nesenbergs
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    Considering you say you're storing utf-8 data in SQL Server, I *assume* you're using SQL Server 2019 preview? – Thom A Feb 11 '19 at 11:50
  • Unicode means UTF16 on Windows and SQL Server. Unicode text is stored in `nvarchar` fields. It works without any issue - SO is an ASP.NET web site that uses SQL Server. UTF8 support was added only for bulk import/export in the latest versions. UTF8 as a varchar encoding *will* be added in SQL Server 2019, which is currently in preview – Panagiotis Kanavos Feb 12 '19 at 12:14
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    Have you tried [mssql-cli](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/tools/mssql-cli?view=sql-server-2017) or [Azure Data Studio](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/azure-data-studio/what-is?view=sql-server-2017)? Unfortunate name, but that's the cross-platform developer IDE for SQL Server – Panagiotis Kanavos Feb 12 '19 at 12:19

4 Answers4

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Use Azure Data Studio to avoid data troubleshooting issue. it is a great SSMS alternative for Linux.

Dan Guzman
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JERRY
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If you need command line tool I suggest to use official sqlcmd from mssql-tools. It is available for all major Linux distributions including Ubuntu.

Connecting with sqlcmd

Another shell tool is mssql-cli

Features

Mssql-cli is a new and interactive command line tool that provides the following key enhancements over sqlcmd in the Terminal environment:

  • T-SQL IntelliSense
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Pretty formatting for query results, including Vertical Format
  • Multi-line edit mode
  • Configuration file support
Lukasz Szozda
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I had the same problem and it seems it has nothing to do with charchters encoding, but the problem was there are control character, unprintable characters, in the script.

I removed them from the sql script and everything works fine.

Aladdin
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Are you using freetds with sqsh? If you are, edit your freetds.conf to set the charset.

http://www.freetds.org/userguide/localization.htm

caseyboardman
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