You can specify the default server character set:
- For the data stored in a specific table column, using the CHARACTER SET option in a CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE statement.
- For a user, using the DEFAULT CHARACTER SET options in a CREATE USER or MODIFY USER statement.
The default character set for data storage is determined in the following order. If a default is not defined, the system defers to the next lower item on the list:
- Table column default
- User default
- System default (as defined by the language mode)