no idea why but i only just now got around to testing coldfusion 8's embedded derby database for unicode support. first thing i did was create a db using ben's going-to-get-even-easier advice to create a db in derby. i got a bit freaked out when i tried to create a table to test unicode strings using an Nvarchar data type and derby spit back a Feature not implemented: NATIONAL CHAR VARYING error. that started me scratching my head for a few minutes while it slowly dawned on me that derby is a java based db and unicode would be native to it. changed the Nvarchar to a plain varchar datatype and bob's your uncle.

very nice indeed.

ms has released an updated BoL (books on line). you can download it here. if you're using sql server and don't know what the BoL is, i suggest you find out fast.

those ms bullies are up to their old tricks again, darn their eyes they're diabolically giving away MSDE without any strings....the swine ;-)

if you don't know MSDE, its sort of like sql server's idiot brother-in-law. it has some limitations:

- 2gb db size limit
- 5 concurrent users (batch workloads)
- no GUI for management (which makes for a good way to learn tSQL)
- no DTS designer (though DTS itself works in MSDE)
- it default installs with trusted (windows based) authentication only (which causes folks using MX's JDBC sql server drivers plenty of mystery headaches)

but for development/learning and lower volume websites (25 concurrent users) its a sweet deal. in the past there was always something you had to buy from ms to be "legal" with msde (but everybody and their brother had ways through that). i guess they got tired of swimming against the tide and made things easier.

so now you know.