Extended double-byte characters

 

When processing extended characters, the device requires the assistance of the system. The system must tell the device what the character looks like before the device can display or print the character. Extended characters are stored in a DBCS font table, not in the DBCS-capable device.

When displaying or printing extended characters, the device receives them from the DBCS font table under control of the operating system.

Extended character processing is a function of the operating system that is required to make characters stored in a DBCS font table available to a DBCS-capable device. To request extended character processing, specify the double-byte extended character parameter, IGCEXNCHR(*YES), on the file creation command when you create a display (CRTDSPF command) or printer file (CRTPRTF command) that processes double-byte data. Because IGCEXNCHR(*YES) is the default value, the system automatically processes extended characters unless you instruct it otherwise. You can change this file attribute by using a change file (CHGDSPF or CHGPRTF) or override file (OVRDSPF or OVRPRTF) command. For example, to override the display file named DBCSDSPF so that extended characters are processed, enter the following command:

OVRDSPF DSPF(DBCSDSPF) IGCEXNCHR(*YES)
Notes:

  1. The system ignores the IGCEXNCHR parameter when processing alphanumeric files.

  2. When you use the Japanese 5583 Printer to print extended characters, use the Kanji print function of the IBM® Advanced DBCS Printer Support for iSeries™ licensed program. Refer to the Kanji Print Function User's Guide and Reference for how to use this utility.

 

Parent topic:

Process of double-byte characters