[Firebird-net-provider] Special symbols getting converted to something else

[Joseph M. <jo...@jm...>]

I'm having a strange problem.  When special symbols are stored in my
database, if the record is edited, it gets written back to the database as
a different symbol or several symbols.  Here's an example:

I have a Firebird application that uses C++ and IBObjects.  If I enter or
paste into a database field some text containing the Trademark symbol ™
(typed alt-0153.  Bytes are e2 84 a2), it shows correctly in the database,
on the screen, etc.

Now, if I access the same database record using .NET, the Firebird .NET
provider, and Entity Framework, and edit that record, even if I don't
modify the field containing the trademark symbol, when I save the record,
it writes the trademark symbol back as: â„¢ (bytes are c3 a2 e2 80 9e c2
a2).

Here is the code that I'm using:

PRODUCT p = db.PRODUCTS.FirstOrDefault<PRODUCT>(pp => pp.PRODBARCODE ==
ecp.PRODBARCODE && pp.STOREID == _storeid);
p.PRODWEBDIRTY = "F";
db.Entry(p).State = EntityState.Modified;
db.SaveChanges();

Note that PRODWEBDIRTY is not the field containing the trademark symbol.  I
guess it's just writing back the entire record to the database, but with
the special characters converted.

Why does it do this?  How can I prevent it?

-Joe