|
Many Visual FoxPro commands have international nuances. This is fully
documented in the INTL Toolkit. Below is the documentation on international issues for VFP commands.
Keep these things in mind as you develop your international applications.
Pick the first letter of a VFP keyword, or just scroll
down.
Background
A B C D
E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
X Y Z
This section is a compendium of VFP's international features and dependencies. It
is a long and detailed section, though fortunately many of the themes are recurring. Here is a short
summary of the main themes found herein:
| The language of operating system
services will vary with the localized language of the OS. |
- Some services come from the operating system, so
the language of display varies with the localization of the operating system. For example, if
your German client is running a US version of Windows, then VFP's MESSAGEBOX() function will display English button
captions (OK - Cancel) and there is nothing you can do about it (other than use INTL's
MsgSvc() function, of
course).
|
| The language of native VFP
services will vary with the localized language of VFP. |
- Some services come from Visual FoxPro, so their
display language varies with the localized version of VFP. For example, dialogs like
GETFILE() and LOCFILE() are VFP dialogs, and aside from parameters
you can pass, these dialogs will appear in English on English versions of VFP.
|
| The language of some things in
VFP cannot be controlled. |
- Some VFP services aren't designed for multi-locale
use, like the Relational Integrity (ri) builder. The ri builder is dependent on
FoxPro functions that return character strings that vary with the localized version of
FoxPro.
|
| The language of third-party
services cannot be predicted without experimentation. |
- Some services come from third-parties, and their
localization usually cannot be predicted unless you experiment. Things like OLE custom
controls, for example, may or may not be internationally enabled, and may require separate
versions (if available) for different locales.
|
A Recurring Theme
Here are a few things to keep in mind. These apply to many of the topics that
follow.
| These "AS nCodePage" elements
recur in many of the topics below, and they are listed here just once. Keep these factors in
mind. |
- Wherever you see nCodePage
in a command description, you can use GETCP()to display the Code Page dialog box, allowing
you to specify a code page for the imported table or file.
- In general, in cases where a nCodePage argument is permitted and a value of 0 is
assigned, no code page translation will take place.
- If the specified value for nCodePage isn't supported, VFP generates error 1914,
with message "Code page number is
invalid.".
|
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Creates an array of information about the most recent VFP, OLE, or ODBC
error.
| VFP errors vary with the
localization language of VFP. |
When a VFP error occurs, ArrayName[2] contains the text of the error message,
which is the same as the value returned by MESSAGE().
Internationalization Gotcha: This error message varies according to the localized version of VFP.
|
| OLE error messages vary with the
localization language of Windows. |
When OLE errors numbered 1427 or 1429 occur, then ArrayName[2] contains the text of the VFP error
message ("OLE Idispatch exception code"), and ArrayName[3] contains the text of the OLE error
message.
Internationalization Gotcha: The VFP error message varies with the localization of VFP, and the OLE error message
usually varies with the localization of Windows.
|
| ODBC error messages vary with the
localized language of VFP. |
Similarly, when an ODBC error numbered 1526 occurs , then ArrayName[2] contains the text of the VFP error
message ("Connectivity error:"), and ArrayName[3] contains the text of the ODBC error
message.
Internationalization Gotcha: Both the VFP and ODBC error messages vary with the localization of VFP.
|
|
|
Obviously, you'll want to avoid passing AERROR()
messages to the user unless you are sure that their workstation has the correct localized
versions of Windows and VFP. |
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AFIELDS() places structural information
about the current table into an array.
Of note to international developers is the following:
Internationalization Gotcha: ArrayName[6] contains logical true if code page translation
is not allowed. Think of this as a NOCPTRANS flag for the field.
Internationalization Gotcha: ArrayName[8] contains the field validation text, which will
probably need to be localized.
Internationalization Tip: you
can set the field validation text with DBSETPROP(cTableAlias,"Field","RuleText", cRuleText).
Internationalization Gotcha: ArrayName[11] contains the table validation text, which will
probably need to be localized.
Internationalization Tip: you
can control the table validation text with DBSETPROP(cTableAlias,"Table","RuleText", cRuleText).
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| ANSITOOEM() is for backward
compatibility and for conversions with DOS. Use CPCONVERT() instead. |
ANSITOOEM() converts each character of
a character expression to the corresponding character in the ms-dos (oem) character set.
ANSITOOEM()is used to move data from
VFP and FoxPro for Macintosh to FoxPro for ms-dos.
Internationalization Tip: this function is included for backward compatibility. Use CPCONVERT() instead.
|
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| Specify the codepage of the new
data when appending table data from other locales or platforms. |
APPEND FROM adds records to the end of
the currently selected table from another file.
Internationalization Gotcha: the optional AS nCodePage argument specifies the code page of the source table or
file. As VFP appends the data, it automatically converts the data to the code
page of the current table.
|
If you omit AS nCodePage, two things can happen:
- If VFP cannot determine the code page of the source table or file, VFP copies
the contents of the source table or file, and, as it copies the data, automatically converts the
data to the current VFP code page. If SET CPDIALOG
is ON, the table in
the currently selected work area is marked with a code page. If you're appending from a table not
marked with a code page, the Code Page dialog is displayed, allowing you to choose the code page of
the table from which you're appending. The current VFP code page can be determined with
CPCURRENT( ).
- If VFP is able to determine the code page of the file being appended, VFP copies
the contents of the appended table or file, and, as it copies the data, automatically converts the
data to the code page of the currently selected table.
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APPEND MEMO copies the contents of a disk
file to a memo field.
Specify the codepage of the new data when appendingmemo field
data from other locales or platforms.
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APPEND PROCEDURES appends stored
procedures in a text file to the stored procedures snippet of the current database.
| Specify the codepage of the new data when
appending DBC procedure code from other locales or platforms |
Internationalization Gotcha:
AS nCodePage specifies the code page of
the text file from which the stored procedures are appended. VFP copies the contents of the text
file, and, as it does so, automatically converts the contents of the text file to the code page
you specify |
If you omit AS nCodePage, VFP copies the contents of the text file from which the stored procedures are appended,
and, as it does so, automatically converts the contents of the text file to the current VFP code
page. The current VFP code page can be determined with CPCURRENT( ).
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AT_C() is similar to AT(), but works with single and
double-byte characters.
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ATCC() is like ATC(), and works with single and double-byte
characters.
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| There is no ATCLINEC() function
in VFP 3.0b as one might expect. |
ATCLINE() returns the line number of
the first occurrence of a character expression or memo field within another character
expression or memo field, without regard for the case (upper or lower) of the characters in
either expression.
Internationalization Tip: ATCLINE()works with both single-byte and double-byte
character sets.
|
Top | Home
| There is no ATLINEC() function in
VFP 3.0b as one might expect. |
ATLINE() returns the line number of the
first occurrence of a character expression or memo within another character expression or
memo.
Internationalization Tip: ATLINE()works with both single-byte and double-byte
character sets.
|
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| BROWSE without NOMENU leads to an
unlocalizable "Table" menu pad. |
Internationalization Gotcha:
when using BROWSE without a NOMENU clause,
VFP places a "Table" menu pad on the system menu containing a number of bars (with captions like
"Properties", "Font", "Go to record", etc). The display language of this pad and its bars is a
function of VFP's localization language. In international applications that use BROWSE, make sure you make it a BROWSE...NOMENU and, if required, invoke your
own supporting menu. |
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| CDOW() is dependent on the VFP
localization. |
CDOW()returns the day-of-the-week from
a given date or datetime expression.
Internationalization Gotcha: the day name returned varies with the localization of VFP.
|
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| Using CHR(n) instead of the
character itself is a good way to prevent code page translation. |
CHR() returns the character associated
with the specified numeric ANSI code.
Internationalization Tip: you can use CHR() to prevent VFP's automatic code page translation. This is useful for
program files which are not marked with code pages ID's. This may save you if you omit
the AS nCodePage argument found
in many VFP commands.
|
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| CHRTRANC() is like CHRTRAN() and
works with single and double-byte characters. |
CHRTRANC(), which is similar to
CHRTRAN(), replaces each character in a
character expression that matches a character in a second character expression with the
corresponding character in a third character expression. As you might expect, CHRTRANC()adjusts for single-byte and
double-byte characters automatically.
Internationalization Tip: to enable your application for DBCS, always use CHRTRANC()wherever you might use CHRTRAN().
|
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| The text returned from CMONTH()
varies with the localized version of VFP. |
CMONTH()returns the name of the month
from a given date or datetime expression.
Internationalization Gotcha: the language of the returned string comes from VFP, so you cannot independently
control the language of what's returned.
|
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| Use COMPILE...AS or SET CPCOMPILE
to compile source files originating from other locales or platforms |
COMPILE compiles one or more source
files.
Internationalization Gotcha: the optional AS nCodePage specifies the code page for which the program is compiled. The code page you specify
with AS nCodePage overrides the
global compilation code page specified with SET
CPCOMPILE.
|
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| Use AS <code page> to
create a file-copy of a memo in another code page |
COPY MEMO copies the contents of the
specified memo field in the current record to a file.
Internationalization Gotcha: AS nCodePage specifies the code page for the
new file VFP copies the contents of the specified memo field, and, as it copies the data,
automatically converts the data to the code page you specify for the text file.
|
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| COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED exports
NOCPTRANS information, and data that may need to be localized |
COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED creates a new table with fields containing the structure
of the currently selected table.
Internationalization Gotcha: this new table will contain the following notable fields which have
internationalization implications.
FIELD_NOCP L Code page translation not allowed (character and memo
fields only)
FIELD_ERR M Field validation text
TABLE_ERR M Table validation text
|
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COPY TO creates a new file from the
contents of the currently selected table.
Internationalization Gotcha: AS nCodePage specifies the
code page for the new file. VFP copies the contents of the currently selected table, and, as it
copies the data, automatically converts the data to the code page you specify for the new table or
file. If possible, VFP marks the newly created table or file with the code page you specify. If you
omit AS nCodePage, the newly created
table or file is converted to the current VFP code page.
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COPY PROCEDURES copies stored procedures
in the current database to a text file.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the AS nCodePage specifies the code
page for the text file to which the stored procedures are copied. VFP copies the stored procedures,
and, as it does so, automatically converts the stored procedures to the code page you
specify.
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CPCONVERT() is used to transform character or memo
data.
CPCONVERT() converts character or memo
fields or character expressions to another code page.
Internationalization Gotcha:
don't forget to use CPCONVERT() when moving strings from one platform or locale to
another.
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Use CPCURRENT() to reckon system code page
information.
In VFP, the current operating system code page if the CODEPAGE configuration item isn't included in your
configuration file. In previous versions of FoxPro, 0 is returned if the CODEPAGE configuration item isn't included in your
configuration file.
- The code page number specified in the CODEPAGE= configuration item in CONFIG.FPW.
- The current operating system code page if you have included the following line
in your configuration file: CODEPAGE = AUTO
In VFP, CPCURRENT(1) returns the Windows code page, regardless of your configuration CODEPAGE setting.
CPCURRENT(2) always returns the underlying
operating system code page, regardless of your configuration CODEPAGE setting. For example, if you're running
Windows, CPCURRENT(2) returns the
MS-DOS code page.
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| CPDBF() gives table code page
information. |
CPDBF()returns the code page of an open
table.
Internationalization Gotcha: don't assume that a table is marked with the correct code page, especially if it
comes from another platform or another locale.
|
Top | Home
| Use CPZERO.PRG to change a table's code page
id. |
Assuming you've installed tools, CPZERO.PRG can be found in your
TOOLS\CPZERO directory. CPZERO.PRG removes the code page mark from any file that has a table file
structure. After removing the mark, CPZERO applies another mark that you specify. |
Internationalization Gotcha: if
tables do not have code page marks when you open them, VFP prompts you for a code page. If you
specify the wrong code page, however, the data in the files won't display properly. To correct the
code page, use CPZERO.
| CPZERO.PRG won't fix a corrupted
table. |
It is worth noting that CPZERO won't fix a file with
data corruption resulting from prior automatic code page translation. |
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CREATE CURSOR - SQL creates a temporary
table. The NOCPTRANS argument, which
applies when specifying field-level attributes, prevents translation to a different code page for
character and memo fields.
Internationalization Gotcha: use the NOCPTRANS if
conversion to another code page is anticipated. Note that this is more likely if a subset of the
temporary table is saved to disk.
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CREATE TABLE ... NOCPTRANS
CREATE TABLE - SQL creates a
table.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the NOCPTRANS field-level argument
prevents translation to a different code page for its character and memo fields.
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| If your date format doesn't match
SET DATE, no error is generated, and a blank date value ( / / ) results. |
CTOD() converts a character expression
to a date expression.
Internationalization Gotcha: remember that the format for the character expression must conform to the date format
specified by SET DATE or by the
"International" page of the Options dialog. So the command CTOD("9/24/96" ) works if SET DATE AMERICAN (month-day-year) but creates an
empty date value ( / / ) if SET DATE BRITISH
(day-month-year) or SET DATE
JAPAN (year-month-day).
|
| Arguments passed to CTOD() are
unaffected by SET MARK TO. |
It is worth noting that CTOD() doesn't care about current date delimiters
specified by SET MARK TO or by the
"International" page of the Options dialog, so CTOD("9/24/96"), CTOD("9-24-96") and CTOD("9.24.96") all work equally well. |
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| If your date format doesn't match
SET DATE, no error is generated, and a blank value ( / / : : AM ) results. |
CTOT() returns a DateTime value from a
character expression.
Internationalization Gotcha: Remember that, like CTOD(), the format for the character expression must conform to the date format specified
by SET DATE or by the
"International" page of the Options dialog.
The proper format for cCharacterExpression is determined by the current
settings of SET DATE,
SET HOURS, and SET MARK. CCharacterExpression must evaluate to a
recognizable DateTime value or Visual FoxPro generates an error.
|
| Arguments passed to CTOT() are
unaffected by SET MARK TO. |
It is worth noting that, in spite of what the help
file says, CTOT() doesn't care
about current date delimiters specified by SET MARK
TO or by the format of SET
HOURS ( or by what's specified in the "International" page of the Options
dialog), so CTOT("9/24/96"), CTOT("9-24-96") and CTOT("9.24.96") all
work equally well, as does CTOT("9-24-96 11:00
pm") and CTOT("9.24.96
23:00") |
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|
Private datasessions are endowed with VFP default values
that have nothing to do with your Regional Window's settings.
Therefore for each new data session you must SET the
appropriate values.
|
Some of VFP's SET commands, including most of those with international implications, are scoped to the
current datasession.
Internationalization Gotcha: a problem arises when you create new Datasessions: the new Datasessions have VFP
defaults, and these don't necessarily conform to the current SET settings or the current Windows international
settings.
This means that whenever a new private datasession is created, you must
ensure that its SET settings are
correct for the current locale.
Here is a complete list of SET commands that are scoped to the datasession, with
the ones in bold face indicating those that are
locale-sensitive.
|
DataSession-Scoped SET commands
| SET
ANSI |
SET
AUTOSAVE |
| SET
BLOCKSIZE |
SET
CARRY |
| SET
CENTURY |
SET
COLLATE |
| SET
CONFIRM |
SET
CURRENCY |
| SET
DATABASE |
SET
DATE |
| SET
DECIMALS |
SET
DELETED |
| SET
DELIMITERS |
SET
EXACT |
| SET
EXCLUSIVE |
SET
FIELDS |
| SET
FIXED |
SET
LOCK |
| SET MARK
TO |
SET
MEMOWIDTH |
| SET
MULTILOCKS |
SET
NEAR |
| SET
NULL |
SET
POINT |
| SET
REPROCESS |
SET
SAFETY |
| SET
SEPARATOR |
SET
SYSFORMATS |
| SET
TALK |
SET
UNIQUE |
These SET commands are scoped to the datasession.
Top | Home
DATE() returns the current system
date.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the date is formatted according to SET DATE, SET MARK, and SET CENTURY.
Top | Home
DATETIME()returns the current date and
time as a DateTime value.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the format of the DateTime value returned by DATETIME(
) depends on the current settings of SET DATE, SET
MARK, SET CENTURY, SET HOURS, and SET SECONDS. The format is also dependent on the
settings in the International option in the Windows Control Panel.
Top | Home
DBGETPROP() returns a property for the
current database, or fields, named connections, tables, or views in the current database.
Internationalization Gotcha: here are localizable elements for table fields:
| CProperty |
Type |
Description |
| Caption |
C |
The field caption (read-write). |
| RuleText |
C |
The field rule error text (read-only). |
Here are localizable elements for views:
| cProperty |
Type |
Description |
| Caption |
C |
The field caption (read-write). |
| RuleText |
C |
The field rule error text (read-write). |
Here are localizable elements for table properties:
| cProperty |
Type |
Description |
| RuleText |
C |
The row rule error text (read-only). |
Here are localizable elements for views:
| cProperty |
Type |
Description |
| RuleText |
C |
The rule text expression displayed when an error
occurs when data is edited in a Browse or Edit window (read-write). |
Top | Home
DEFINE BAR creates a menu item on a menu
created with DEFINE POPUP.
Internationalization Gotcha:
this command is notable because, in my experience, it is often involved in "hard coded" and difficult
to localize situations. DEFINE BAR has
three internationally sensitive clauses: PROMPT (what the bar displays), FONT (which could vary with locale) and MESSAGE
(the status bar message).
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DEFINE MENU creates a menu bar.
Internationalization Gotcha: menus are often involved in "hard coded" and difficult to localize situations. DEFINE MENU has two internationally sensitive
clauses: the FONT (which could vary
with locale) and MESSAGE (the status
bar message).
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DEFINE PAD creates a menu title (pad) on a
menu bar.
Internationalization Gotcha: menus are often involved in "hard coded" and difficult to localize situations. DEFINE MENU has two internationally sensitive
clauses: the FONT (which could vary
with locale) and MESSAGE (the status
bar message).
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DEFINE POPUP creates a menu.
Internationalization Gotcha: menus are often involved in "hard coded" and difficult to localize situations. DEFINE POPUP has several internationally sensitive
clauses: the FONT (which could vary
with locale); MESSAGE (the status bar
message); FOOTER (the text at the
bottom of the popup); PROMPT FIELD (which may bring in unlocalized text from a table); and TITLE (on the top border of the menu).
Top | Home
DEFINE WINDOW creates and specifies the
characteristics of a window.
Internationalization Gotcha: hard-coded window definitions are often the source of localization difficulties. The
DEFINE WINDOW may have the following
internationally sensitive clauses: the TITLE of the window; its FONT (which might need to vary with locale); and the ICON file (which may not be appropriate for all
locales).
Top | Home
The DefOLELCID property applies to Form and _SCREEN objects, and specifies the default OLE Locale ID for a Form or the main VFP
window.
Internationalization Gotcha:
this default value determines the Locale ID for OLE Bound controls and OLE Container controls when
they are placed on the form or the main VFP window.
If the default OLE Locale ID value for a Form or the main Visual FoxPro window is
changed to a new value, then OLE Bound controls and OLE Container controls placed thereon afterwards
use the new value.
If DefOLELCID is set
to zero for a form or the main Visual FoxPro window, SYS(3004) determines the default Locale ID for OLE Bound
controls and OLE Container controls placed on the Form or the main VFP window.
Here is a listing of Locale Ids:
| Locale ID |
Language |
|
1029
|
Czech |
|
1031
|
German |
|
1033
|
English (Default) |
|
1034
|
Spanish |
|
1036
|
French |
|
1040
|
Italian |
|
1045
|
Polish |
|
1046
|
Portuguese (Brazilian) |
|
2070
|
Portuguese (Standard) |
Note: the DefOLELCID property only affects the language of the user interface, which OLE controls display, and
not the language of the OLE automation commands. The OLE automation command language is affected only
by the Global LocaleID, set with SYS(3005).
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DMY(dExpression |
tExpression)
DMY() returns a character expression in
day-month-year sequence, for example "26 June 1996".
Internationalization Gotcha: DMY() comes from VFP, and the language varies with VFP's
localized language. DMY()respects the
setting of SET CENTURY.
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DTOC() returns a Character-type Date from
a Date or DateTime expression.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the date format is determined by SET CENTURY and SET DATE and SET MARK.
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DTOS() returns a character-string date in
a yyyymmdd format from a specified
Date or DateTime expression.
Internationalization Gotcha:
this function is not affected by SET CENTURY.
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DTOT() returns a DateTime value from a
Date expression.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the format of the returned value depends on the current SET
DATE and SET MARK settings.
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| EDIT without NOMENU leads to an
unlocalizable "Table" menu pad |
Internationalization
Gotcha: when using EDIT without a NOMENU clause, VFP places a "Table" menu pad on the
system menu containing a number of bars (with captions like "Properties", "Font", "Go to record",
etc). The display language of this pad and its bars is a function of VFP's localization language.
In international applications that use BROWSE, make sure you make it a EDIT...NOMENU and, if required, invoke your own
supporting menu. |
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The ERROR command
generates a VFP error.
Internationalization Gotcha: if
you issue an ERROR call with an error
number, like this: ERROR 101, the
message is in VFP's localized language. You can always issue ERROR 101, "My localized Error Message" to adorn errors with
your own error message. In any event, the ERROR command is preempted by whatever action is specified by ON ERROR.
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| VFP error messages are in VFP's
localized language. |
Internationalization
Gotcha: error messages, which, in the absence of error handling
adorn VFP's error dialog boxes and as available with MESSAGE() and AERROR(), are in the language of VFP's
localization. |
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EXPORT TO copies data from a VFP table to
a file in a different format.
Internationalization Gotcha: AS nCodePage specifies the code page for the file
EXPORT creates. VFP copies the contents of
the currently selected table and, as it copies the data, automatically converts the data to the code
page you specify for the new file. If possible, VFP marks the newly created file with the code page
you specify.
If you omit AS nCodePage, no code page conversion occurs. If possible, VFP marks the newly created file with the
code page of the table from which the data is copied. If nCodePage is 0, no code page conversion
occurs and the new file is not marked with a code page.
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FDATE() is a low level file function that
returns the last modification date for a file.
Internationalization Gotcha: the result is in a format determined by the current settings of SET DATE, SET
MARK, and SET CENTURY.
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Internationalization Gotcha:
depending on the localization, Fonts may be an issue. For example, the "Arial" font in the Cyrillic
languages is called "Arial Cyr". Of course, in some Asian languages, there is no such thing as an
Arial font.
Internationalization Tip: the
best place to find locale-specific fonts is with the various localizations of Windows. If you are a
member of the Microsoft Developer Network, then you may have several localized versions of Windows on
CD-ROM. The advantage of using native fonts is your customers probably have them already installed,
and it's one less thing to worry about.
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Internationalization Gotcha:
the form's Close box is localized in the language of VFP localization. This otherwise cannot be
controlled.
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GETCP() prompts for a code page by
displaying the Code Page dialog box, and then returns the number of the code page chosen.
Internationalization Gotcha: other than the parameters you pass, you cannot control the language displayed in this dialog
” it comes from within VFP and you will need a localized version of VFP for this dialog to display
properly in an alternate language.
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GETDIR() displays the Select Directory
dialog box from which a directory or folder can be chosen.
Internationalization Gotcha: you cannot control the language displayed in this dialog ” it comes from within VFP and you
will need a localized version of VFP for this dialog to display properly in an alternate
language.
The line¦
?GETDIR("C:\", "cDialogCaption")
¦makes this rather unlocalizable dialog.
The GETDIR() dialog
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Internationalization Gotcha:
the VFP expression builder comes from VFP and you cannot control its display language. To get a
localized expression builder, you will need a localized version of VFP.
The GETEXPR TO dialog.
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GETFILE() displays the Open dialog box and
returns the name of the file you chose.
Internationalization Gotcha: other than the parameters you pass, you cannot control the language displayed in this dialog
” it comes from within VFP and you will need a localized version of VFP for this dialog to display
properly in an alternate language.
The line¦
?GETFILE([cFileExtensions] ,[cDialogCaption],
[cOpenButtonCaption],1)
¦produces this:
The GETFILE() dialog.
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GETFONT() displays the Font dialog box and
returns the name of the font you choose.
Internationalization Gotcha: like many other such dialogs, this comes from VFP and the language of the dialog varies with
VFP's localization.
The GETFONT() dialog.
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GETPICT() displays the Open dialog box and
returns the name of the picture file you chose.
Internationalization Gotcha: other than the parameters you pass, you cannot control the language displayed in this dialog
” it comes from VFP and you will need a localized version of VFP for this dialog to display properly
in an alternate language.
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GETPRINTER() displays the Windows Print
Setup dialog box and returns the name of the printer you select.
Internationalization Gotcha:
this dialog comes from the operating system and the display language varies with its
localization.
The GETPRINTER() dialog.
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HOUR() returns the hour portion from a
DateTime expression.
Internationalization Gotcha: HOUR( ) returns a numeric value based on a 24 hour format,
and is not affected by the current setting of SET
HOURS.
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IDXCOLLATE() returns the collation
sequence for an index or index tag.
Internationalization Gotcha: IDXCOLLATE() can be used to return the collation sequence
for each tag in multiple-entry compound index files, allowing you to completely delete an index file
and rebuild it correctly, using a series of SET
COLLATE and INDEX commands.
IDXCOLLATE() isn't required for the proper
functioning of REINDEX, because the
collation sequence information is present in existing indexes and index tags.
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The Input Method Editor (IME) is a program that performs the conversion between
keystrokes and ideographs or other characters, usually by user-guided dictionary lookup. IMESTATUS() turns the IME window on or off or
returns the current IME status.
Return values for the IME status in the Japanese locale:
| Return
Value |
IME Status |
| 4 |
Hiragana double-byte. |
| 5 |
Katakana double-byte. |
| 6 |
Katakana single-byte. |
| 7 |
Alphanumeric double-byte. |
| 8 |
Alphanumeric single-byte. |
Return values for the IME status in the Korean locale:
| Return
Value |
IME Status |
| 4 |
Hangeul mode. |
| 5 |
Junja mode (double-byte). |
| 6 |
Hanja conversion mode. |
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IMPORT FROM imports data from an external
file format to create a new Visual FoxPro table.
Internationalization Gotcha: AS nCodePage specifies the code page of the imported file.
Visual FoxPro copies the contents of the imported file and, as it copies the data, automatically
converts the data to the current Visual FoxPro code page.
If you omit AS nCodePage and VFP cannot determine the code page of the imported file, VFP copies the contents of the
imported file and, as it copies the data, automatically converts the data to the current Visual
FoxPro code page. If you omit AS nCodePage and VFP can determine the code page of the imported file, VFP automatically converts the
data in the imported file from the data's code page to the current VFP code page.
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Internationalization Gotcha: A
problem occurs when the collating sequence for an index is set to something other than MACHINE. In
that case, each character in the key uses two bytes. Since the maximum index key length is 240
characters, the longest key you can use is 120 characters for non-MACHINE collate sequences. This is
true in 3.0 as well as 3.0b. The only way around this problem is to SET COLLATE TO MACHINE before creating that particular
tag.
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ISLEADBYTE() returns logical true if the
first byte of the first character in a character expression is a lead byte. ISLEADBYTE() lets you determine if a character is a
double-byte character. If the first byte of a character is a lead byte, the character is a
double-byte character. Otherwise, the character is a single-byte character.
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LEFTC()from a character expression
containing , which is similar to LEFT(), returns a specified number of characters any combination of single-byte and double-byte
characters, starting with the leftmost character.
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LENC(), which is similar to LEN(), returns the number of characters in a
character expression or memo field containing any combination of single-byte and double-byte
characters.
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LIKEC(), which is similar to LIKE(), determines if a character expression
matches another character expression. The character expressions can contain any combination of
single-byte and double-byte characters.
Top | Home
Internationalization Gotcha: In
the "old days" of FoxPro, the only way to get some sorts of information was to execute one of
the LIST commands TO FILE and thereafter parse the resulting text.
While I can't think of a reason to do this in VFP, some reason may occur. If it does, you should know
that the LIST commands will produce
output containing text that localized according to the language of VFP.
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LOCFILE() locates a file on disk and
returns the file name with its path.
Internationalization Gotcha: other than the dialog caption, you have no control over the captions in this dialog.
LOCFILE() comes from VFP and its display
language varies with VFP's localization language.
For example, the line¦
?LOCFILE("cFileName", "cFileExtensions",
"cDialogCaption")
¦yields the following dialog under Windows NT 3.51. There are many interface
strings on this dialog you can™t localize. You are at the mercy of the user™s VFP
installation.
The LOCFILE() dialog.
MDY(dExpression | tExpression)
MDY() returns a character expression in
month-day-year sequence, for example "June 26 1996".
Internationalization Gotcha: MDY() comes from VFP, and the language varies with VFP's
localized language. MDY()respects the
setting of SET CENTURY.
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MESSAGE() returns the current error
message as a character string.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the error message is in the localized language of VFP. Note that AERROR(2)returns the same value as MESSAGE().
Top | Home
MESSAGEBOX() displays a user-defined
dialog box.
You can™t directly localize the buttons in
MESSAGEBOX().For example, the following line yields the box below wherein
the "Yes" and "No" button captions cannot be touched.
?MESSAGEBOX("cMsgText" , 4, "cTitleBarText")
A MESSAGEBOX() dialog.
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MODIFY COMMAND opens an editing window so
you can modify or create a program file.
Internationalization Gotcha: AS nCodePage automatically converts accented characters in a
program file created on another VFP platform. The numeric expression nCodePage specifies the code page of the VFP platform on
which the program file was created. The file is saved in this code page unless you choose "Save As"
from the File menu to save the file in a different code page.
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MODIFY FILE opens an editing window so you
can modify or create a text file.
Internationalization Gotcha: AS nCodePage automatically converts accented characters in a
text file created on another VFP platform. The numeric expression nCodePage specifies the code page of the VFP platform on
which the text file was created. The file is saved in this code page unless you choose "Save As" from
the File menu to save the file in a different code page.
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Opens the Query Designer so you can modify or create a query. The Query Designer is
a VFP dialog whose display language varies according to the localization of VFP.
Internationalization Gotcha: AS nCodePage specifies the code page of the query.
Include AS nCodePage if the query was
created with a code page other than the current VFP code page. When the query is opened, VFP
automatically converts the query to the current VFP code page.
The query is saved in its original code page when it is closed.
If you omit the AS nCodePage clause or nCodePage is 0, the
query is not converted to the current VFP code page.
In VFP, queries can be added to a project, and you can specify the query's code
page from within the Project Container. The Project Container keeps track of the query's code page.
However, if you use MODIFY QUERY to
open a query outside of the Project Container, you should include AS nCodePage to specify the query's code page.
Top | Home
ODBC drivers generate ANSI SQL standard error codes, which are thereafter
interpreted by VFP.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the text of ODBC error messages come from VFP and will vary in language with the localized version of
VFP.
Top | Home
OEMTOANSI() converts each character of a
character expression to the corresponding character in the ansi character set. Included for backward
compatibility. OEMTOANSI() is used to
move data from FoxPro for ms-dos to Visual FoxPro and FoxPro for Macintosh.
Top | Home
OLE Custom Controls come from a variety of sources and, for the most part, you'll
get a mixed-bag of results when you use OLE controls in international settings. Be sure to inquire
about supported locales before you commit to deploy a particular OLE control.
Top | Home
Given that OLE controls come from many sources, it's not surprising to find that
they don't all handle errors as you might hope. Some OLE controls return integer error codes for
which you need to intercept and localize their messages. Other OLE controls display native error
dialogs, and there is little you can do if a particular control doesn't support the current
locale.
Top | Home
The OLELCID property of OLE Bound Controls and OLE Container Controls returns their
numeric OLE Locale. This property is always read-only.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the OLELCID value is determined by the value of the DefOLELCID property for the Form or the main VFP
window when the OLE Bound control or OLE Container control is instanciated.
If the Form or the main Visual FoxPro window's DefOLELCID property is zero when the
OLE Bound control or OLE Container control is placed on the Form or the main Visual FoxPro window,
the control uses the current Visual FoxPro Locale ID as witnessed by SYS(3004). You can use the
DefOLELCID property of Form objects to specify their Locale ID.
The OLELCID property only affects the language of the user interface, which OLE
controls display, and not the language of the OLE automation commands. The OLE automation command
language is affected only by the Global LocaleID, set with SYS(3005).
Here is a list of OLE locale id's.
| nLocaleID |
Language |
| 1029 |
Czech |
| 1031 |
German |
| 1033 |
English (Default) |
| 1034 |
Spanish |
| 1036 |
French |
| 1040 |
Italian |
| 1045 |
Polish |
| 1046 |
Portuguese (Brazilian) |
| 2070 |
Portuguese (Standard) |
Top | Home
This function returns useful state information about a property, event or
method. Internationalization Gotcha: using nAttribute=5, you can find out if this PEM is a "Property", "Event" or "Method". This
language of this string varies with the localized version of VFP.
Top | Home
| Menu text varies with
locale. |
PRMBAR(), PRMPAD() PROMPT()return text
from menus.
Internationalization Gotcha: avoid using these functions in international applications because menu text will vary
with the language of localization.
|
Top | Home
| Printer settings vary from locale
to locale. |
PRTINFO() returns the specified printer
setting.
Internationalization Gotcha: your application should anticipate a wide variety of return values because most of
them will vary from locale to locale.
|
Top | Home
PUTFILE() invokes the Save As dialog box
and returns the file name you specify.
| Many PUTFILE() interface elements
cannot be translated. |
Internationalization
Gotcha: other than the dialog caption, you have no control over
the captions in this dialog. PUTFILE() comes from VFP and it varies with its localization language. |
For example, the following line¦
?PUTFILE("cCustomText" , "cFileName" , "Ext")
creates this dialog. We basically can™t localize this.
The PUTFILE() dialog.
Top | Home
RATC(), which is similar to RAT(), returns the numeric position of the last
occurrence of a character expression or memo field within another character expression or memo field.
The character expressions or memo fields can contain any combination of single-byte and double-byte
characters.
Top | Home
RATLINE() returns the line number of the
last occurrence of a character expression within another character expression or memo field, counting
from the last line.
Internationalization Gotcha:
this function works in both single-byte and double-byte character sets.
Top | Home
Internationalization Gotcha: unfortunately, from a localization perspective, VFP's Relational Integrity (RI) builder
leaves much to be desired. In fact, as of VFP 3.0b, the relational integrity code generated by the RI
builder is unsuitable for international distribution. Here's a summary of the problems:
Update and Delete triggers are
problematic because procedures RIDelete and RIUpdate contain a test
on (UPPER(SYS(2011))="RECORD LOCKED". This test will always return .F. if your application runs on a different localization of
VFP!
As if that weren't enough, calls to the RIError function, which may result if things don't go quite
as planned, contain hard-coded error strings, like
DO rierror with -1,"Delete restrict rule violated."
And
DO rierror with -1,"Insert restrict rule
violated.".
Fortunately there is a workaround (sort-of): It relies on the following bit of
trivia: Whenever there is more than one instance of a function in a file or snippet, only the latest
instance is seen by VFP.
Therefore, in your stored procedures, you can duplicate and enable the RIError(), RIDelete(), and RIUpdate() functions, and paste them subsequent to the
generated code.
Top | Home
RIGHTC(), which is similar to RIGHT(), returns the specified number of rightmost
characters from a character string. The character expressions or memo fields can consist of any
combination of single-byte and double-byte characters.
Top | Home
SET COLLATE specifies a collation sequence
for character fields in subsequent indexing and sorting operations.
The following collation sequence options are available in VFP:
| Options |
Language |
| DUTCH |
Dutch |
| GENERAL |
English, French, German, Modern Spanish, Portuguese,
and other Western European languages |
| GERMAN |
German phone book order (DIN) |
| ICELAND |
Icelandic |
| MACHINE |
Machine (the default collation sequence for earlier
FoxPro versions) |
| NORDAN |
Norwegian, Danish |
| SPANISH |
Traditional Spanish |
| SWEFIN |
Swedish, Finnish |
| UNIQWT |
Unique Weight |
Note that when SET COLLATE TO is set to something other than "Machine", each index character takes two bytes, effectively
reducing the maximum index key length from 240 to 120.
Top | Home
SET CPCOMPILE globally specifies the code
page for compiled programs.
Internationalization Gotcha: SET CPCOMPILE TO without nCodePage to reset the compilation code page to the current
code page. Use CPCURRENT() to
determine the current code page. The AS clause in the COMPILE command
to override the code page you specify with SET
CPCOMPILE.
Top | Home
| In your shipping app, make sure
to SET CPDIALOG OFF. |
SET CPDIALOG specifies whether the Code
Page dialog box is displayed when a table is opened.
Internationalization Gotcha: SET CPDIALOG is useful only at design-time.
In your completed application, be sure that SET
CPDIALOG is OFF.
|
Top | Home
SET CURRENCY defines the currency symbol
and specifies its position in the display of numeric, currency, float and double
expressions.
Internationalization Gotcha: SET CURRENCY is supposed to be scoped to the current data
session, but a bug in all versions of VFP 3.0 makes SET
CURRENCY affect all current data sessions. It is, therefore, impossible in VFP
3.0 to use SET CURRENCY to display
dollars one form and Deutsch Marks simultaneously in another.
Top | Home
See DATASESSIONS
Top | Home
SET DATE specifies the format for the
display of date and datetime expressions.
Internationalization Gotcha:
date formats vary from locale to locale. VFP offers the following choices for SET DATE:
| Setting |
Format |
| AMERICAN |
mm/dd/yy |
| ANSI |
yy.mm.dd |
| BRITISH/FRENCH |
dd/mm/yy |
| DMY |
dd/mm/yy |
| GERMAN |
dd.mm.yy |
| ITALIAN |
dd-mm-yy |
| JAPAN |
yy/mm/dd |
| MDY |
mm/dd/yy |
| USA |
mm-dd-yy |
| YMD |
yy/mm/dd |
Top | Home
SET DECIMALS specifies the number of
decimal places displayed in numeric expressions.
Internationalization Gotcha: in
many countries, the unit of currency transforms in the order of hundreds or thousands to the
US dollar. In these countries, displaying decimal currency units is usually undesirable. In some
situations you may be asked to round all currency amounts to the nearest ten, hundred, or even
thousand units.
Top | Home
Specifies the first day of the week.
The values nExpression can assume and the corresponding first day of the week.
| NExpr |
Day of the
week |
|
1
|
Sunday |
|
2
|
Monday |
|
3
|
Tuesday |
|
4
|
Wednesday |
|
5
|
Thursday |
|
6
|
Friday |
|
7
|
Saturday |
If you omit nExpression, the first-day-of-the-week is reset to Sunday (1). The first-day-of-the-week can also be
set with the Week Starts On list box in the International tab of the Options dialog.
Top | Home
SET FWEEK TO [nExpr]
SET FWEEK specifies the requirements for
the first-week-of-the-year. nExpression can be:
| nExpr |
First week
requirement |
|
1
|
(Default) The first week contains January
1st. |
|
2
|
The larger half (four days) of the first week is in
the current year. |
|
3
|
The first week has seven days. |
If you omit nExpression, the first-week-of-the-year is reset to 1 (the first week contains January 1st). The
first-week-of-the-year can also be set with the First Week of Year list box in the International tab
of the Options dialog.
Top | Home
SET HELP TO specifies a Help
file.
Internationalization Tip: Multilingual applications need multilingual help. Use SET HELP TO to point to different help files as required. To
specify a default startup Help file, use a HELP=
configuration line in CONFIG.FPW.
Top | Home
Specifies a delimiter to use in the display of date expressions.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the date delimiter separates the day, month and year elements of a date expression. The date
delimiter will vary from locale to locale.
Top | Home
SET NOCPTRANS prevents translation to a
different code page for selected fields in an open table.
Issue SET NOCPTRANS TO without a set of fields to return to the default translation (established by the
CODEPAGE= configuration item) for all
character and memo fields in a table. Use SET("NOCPTRANS") to return the fields specified in the
last SET NOCPTRANS command you issued.
Use the CHR( ) function to ensure that
individual characters don't get translated.
Because Visual FoxPro can be configured to automatically translate character and
memo fields into other code pages, the SET NOCPTRANS
command is available to prevent the automatic translation of fields containing binary
data. For example, a memo field may contain a Microsoft Word document. When you access the Word
document, you would like the document in its original, untranslated form. Use SET NOCPTRANS to specify that the memo field not be
translated.
You don't need to use SET NOCPTRANS
to access binary data if the character or memo field containing the binary data has
not been translated. You can ensure that character and memo fields are not translated by omitting
the CODEPAGE configuration item from
your Visual FoxPro configuration file.
Top | Home
SET POINT TO determines the decimal point
character used in the display of numeric and currency expressions.
| SET POINT does never changes the
decimal character in calculations. |
Internationalization
Gotcha: throughout most of North America, the point character is
".", but in most countries of the world, the point character is ",". Note that you can set the
displayed decimal point to a different character, you must use a period as the decimal point in
calculations. |
Top | Home
SET SEPARATOR specifies the character that separates each group of three digits to
the left of the decimal point.
Internationalization Gotcha:
throughout most of North America, the separator character is ",", but in most countries of the world,
the separator character is ".".
Top | Home
SET SYSFORMATS specifies if VFP system
settings are updated with the current Windows system settings.
Internationalization Gotcha: by
default the VFP system settings are not updated when the Windows system settings are
changed.
The Windows system settings are specified in International option of the Windows
Control Panel. When SET SYSFORMATS is ON, the following SET
commands can be used to override the current system settings. However, changing the Windows system
settings when SET SYSFORMATS is
ON overrides these SET commands.
When VFP is started, the Visual FoxPro system settings are the default settings of
these SET commands. To use the Windows system settings when VFP is started, place the following line
in your VFP CONFIG.FPW configuration file:
SYSFORMATS = ON
SET CENTURY
SET CURRENCY
SET DATE
SET DECIMALS
SET HOURS
SET MARK TO
SET POINT
SET SEPARATOR
SET SYSFORMATS is scoped to the current
data session.
Top | Home
STRCONV() is used to
go to transform strings among
n-byte systems. |
STRCONV() converts a character expression to a different form. The following table lists the
values of nSetting and the type of conversion performed: |
| nSetting |
Conversion |
|
1
|
Converts single-byte characters in
cExpression to double-byte characters. |
|
2
|
Converts double-byte characters in
cExpression to single-byte characters. |
|
3
|
Converts double-byte Hiragana characters
in cExpression to double-byte Katakana characters. |
|
4
|
Converts double-byte Katakana characters
in cExpression to double-byte Hiragana characters. |
|
5
|
Converts double-byte characters to
UNICODE (wide characters). |
|
6
|
Converts UNICODE (wide characters) to
double-byte characters. |
|
7
|
Converts cExpression to locale specific
lowercase. |
|
8
|
Converts cExpression to locale specific
uppercase. |
Top | Home
| STUFFC() is like STUFF(), only it
seamlessly handles double-byte characters. |
STUFFC(), which is similar to STUFF(), returns a character string created by replacing a specified number of characters in a
character expression with another character expression. The character expressions can consist of
any combination of single-byte and double-byte characters. |
Top | Home
| Use PRINTSTATUS() instead of
SYS(13). |
SYS(13) returns the status of the
printer.
Internationalization Gotcha: in English versions of VFP, this return value is "READY" or "OFFLINE". If the printer
is connected to a COM port, SYS(13) returns READY if the printer returns "Clear To Send Data"
or "Data Set Ready". This return value comes from VFP and varies with its localization
language. Fortunately, we have a language-independent workaround: use PRINTSTATUS(), which
returns .T. or .F., instead of SYS(13).
|
Top | Home
| SYS(15) is ancient
history. |
Translates a second character string from the first
character string. Included for backward compatibility; use SET COLLATE instead. |
Included with VFP is a memory variable file called EUROPEAN.MEM that contains
sample translation characters. In FoxPro for MS-DOS and VFP, EUROPEAN.MEM is located in the directory
in which you install VFP. In FoxPro for Macintosh, EUROPEAN.MEM is located in the Goodies:Misc
folder.
Stored in EUROPEAN.MEM is a character memory variable called EUROPEAN, for use with
SYS(15) in FoxPro for MS-DOS. Another character memory variable, EUROANSI, is provided for use with
SYS(15) in VFP and FoxPro for Macintosh. These memory variables can be used with SYS(15) to translate
accented characters to the corresponding characters without the accents.
As an example, the following command can be used in FoxPro for MS-DOS to index a
table on a field containing accented characters while preserving normal alphabetical
order:
INDEX ON SYS(15, european, field) TO european
This function is primarily intended for the convenience of European users who must
use accented characters. Since there are different versions of most vowels, indexing on fields
containing accented characters doesn't preserve the expected alphabetical order.
Top | Home
| SYS(20) is ancient history
too. |
SYS(20) transforms a character expression containing German text to a character string. Included
for backward compatibility. Use SET COLLATE instead. |
Top | Home
| The Print Setup language is
determined by the OS |
SYS(1037) invokes the Print Setup dialog.
Internationalization Gotcha: this service comes from the operating system, and will thus be in its localized
language.
|
Top | Home
| The graphics card and monitor
information comes from VFP |
SYS(2006) returns the type of graphics
card and monitor you are using, as in "VGA/COLOR".
Internationalization Gotcha: this result is generated by VFP and can only be localized by using a localized
version of VFP.
|
Top | Home
The lock status reported by SYS(2011) varies with VFP
localization.
Top | Home
SYS(3004) returns the Locale ID used by
OLE automation and OLE controls.
Internationalization Gotcha:
the Locale ID determines the language in which OLE automation and OLE controls exchange
information.
Top | Home
SYS(3005) sets the Locale ID, used by OLE
automation and OLE controls. Here are the locales in VFP:
| nLocaleID |
Language |
|
1029
|
Czech |
|
1031
|
German |
|
1033
|
English (Default) |
|
1034
|
Spanish |
|
1036
|
French |
|
1040
|
Italian |
|
1045
|
Polish |
|
1046
|
Portuguese (Brazilian) |
|
2070
|
Portuguese (Standard) |
Top | Home
SYS(3006) sets the Language ID and the Locale ID.
Top | Home
SUBSTRC() is like SUBSTR(), but handles double-byte characters as well.
Top | Home
| ToolTips come from Windows, and
there is no known way to change their font.ToolTips come from Windows,
and there is no way that I know to control the Font from within Visual FoxPro. This means that
apps running in Eastern Europe and oriental languages will display garbage in the tooltip window
unless you are running on a localized version of windows. |
|
Top | Home
TTOC() returns a Character value from a
DateTime expression that respects SET HOURS, SET CENTURY and
SET DATE so parsing this Character expression
is not a good idea.
Top | Home
| The return value from
VERSION() is localized by VFP. VERSION(3) is useful to determine the current VFP localization
language. |
VERSION() returns a character string
containing the VFP version number you are using. Internationalization Gotcha: This string is
in the localization language of VFP.
VERSION(3) returns the localized VFP
language, according to the following table:
|
| VERSION(3) |
Language |
|
00
|
English |
|
33
|
French |
|
34
|
Spanish |
|
39
|
Italian |
|
42
|
Czech |
|
48
|
Polish |
|
49
|
German |
|
55
|
Portuguese |
Top | Home
The WAIT WINDOW command has two things about it that merit mentioning here:
Internationalization Gotcha: possibly no other command is more prone to hard-coded literals and hard-wired syntax
sentence construction than WAIT WINDOW. I've seen the job of ferreting-out WAIT WINDOW take more time than required to localize
the entire rest of the application.
Internationalization Gotcha:
there is no way to change the WAIT WINDOW display font.
Top | Home
| You can make WEEK() respect the
International settings by passing 0 for parameters 2 and 3 |
WEEK()returns a number representing the week-of-the-year from a Date or DateTime expression.
Passing 0 for nFirstWeek or
nFirstDayOfWeek causes WEEK() to fetch values from whatever is
selected in the International tab in the Options dialog box. |
|
