How do I upgrade my database without losing non-latin characters?

Is there any particular procedure in the upgrading process that keeps me from losing those characters?

If you upgrade using the zc_install database upgrade, you shouldn't loose any data.

However, ensure a full backup is taken!

Just to be safe, I normally take a backup and tar it, so it can't be damaged or lost. Then erplicate your database, so you ahve 2 identical versions. Then run the update scripts on the second one. If all is OK, then point your store at this new updated version. If it all goes wrong, then delete this one, and start again!

The SQL scripts for upgrading can also be found in the zc_install folder under zc_install/sql/

None of the SQL statements should affect your character sets, as they are only concerned with the tables, columns, and indexes.

Absolute