SQL Server uses the N prefix

Executed on the serverCodeFor example, in a stored procedure or trigger, the Unicode String constant displayed must be prefixed with an uppercase letter N. This applies even if the referenced column has been defined as a unicode type. If the N prefix is not used, the string is converted to the default code page of the database. This may cause some characters not to be recognized.

 

Execute product_info @ name = n' chain'

The requirement to use the N prefix applies to the string constants generated on the server and the string constants sent from the client.

 

N is an explicit conversion of non-Unicode characters to unicode characters from the national (UNICODE) data type in the SQL-92 standard for extension and standardization.