utf8mb4 or utf8_general_ci
2 quick questions as I have a 3.4.7 database that is currently utf8mb4 with the tables as utf8_general_ci - yes not ideal but trying to work out the best way to resolve. What's prefered for IPS4 - utf8mb4 or utf8_general_ci? And, what's the best way to make my database and tables the same?
IPS4 requires the collation across the database to be either utf8_unicode_ci or utf8mb4_unicode_ci. utf8mb4 is a superset of utf8, so it is "better". You can convert using this script: http://community.invisionpower.com/files/file/6823-ips-utf8-database-converter/