[MicroStrategy][Oracle] MicroStrategy ODBC Driver for Oracle Wire Protocol: Trailing Spaces Issue with CHAR Semantics and UTF8 Encoding

Issue:

Users experience trailing spaces in query results when utilizing CHAR semantics and UTF8 encoding with the MicroStrategy ODBC Driver for Oracle Wire Protocol. The unexpected behavior arises when inserting values into CHAR datatype columns, leading to discrepancies between MicroStrategy and native Oracle drivers.

Root Cause:

The issue stems from a known bug in the MicroStrategy ODBC Driver for Oracle Wire Protocol by DataDirect Technologies. The driver mishandles CHAR semantics, causing additional spaces in query results.

Fix:

1. Add the connection option `ColumnSizeAsCharacter=1` to the specific DSN in the registry editor on Windows or the odbc.ini file on UNIX.

2. For Windows: Navigate to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ODBC\ODBC.INI`, find the DSN, add a new string `ColumnSizeAsCharacter`, and set the value to 1.

3. For UNIX: Add `ColumnSizeAsCharacter=1` to the specific DSN section in the odbc.ini file.

   

Note: The workaround is not effective for specific versions like Oracle Wire Protocol driver version 5.00.00.50 in MicroStrategy 8.0.1 but works with version 5.10.00.53 in MicroStrategy 8.0.2.

Summarization:

The MicroStrategy ODBC Driver for Oracle Wire Protocol exhibits trailing spaces in query results with CHAR semantics and UTF8 encoding. To resolve, users should add the connection option `ColumnSizeAsCharacter=1` to the DSN in the registry editor (Windows) or odbc.ini file (UNIX). This workaround addresses the known bug in the driver, ensuring accurate query output.

LINK: https://community.microstrategy.com/s/article/KB13618-MicroStrategy-ODBC-Driver-for-Oracle-Wire-Protocol?language=en_US