CWIntl 

International and Localization of CW Applications

Description. CWIntl automates localization of Clarion for Windows programs. Templates and function libraries comprise a system for both template based and hand coded programs. You may easily create international applications (marketed outside the country of origin) or multi-lingual applications with personalized text and different languages running simultaneously. If you are working in a language other than English, you can create translated programs without having to translation the CW templates.

Language Files. CWIntl uses either text files or TopSpeed database files for language translations. Translated text is added to windows and reports using property assignment statements. Translations are control specific. Text may be translated and added at run-time without the need to recompile an application. A template utility creates a text file of all window and report strings organized by language, procedure name, and equate name. The toolkit also includes a file of standard text for error messages, warnings, standard buttons, and international environment settings.

Picture Translation. CWIntl translates picture tokens to match windows international settings. International settings may be set using the Windows Registry or, in 16-bit applications, specially created National Language Support Files..

	Resource Manager. An application is included with the toolkit whose primary function is to merge one or more source code and application text translation files into a TopSpeed database file for use with the application. It also creates record sets for each language to be used by the application.
	Environment Utility. CWIntl includs a utility to create environment files and National Language Files; it environment functions creating full collating strings, case strings, month strings, button text, and error messages.
	Translation Utility. PDLingua is a translation tool capable of managing the translation process. For simple translations, a translator can edit translated strings on forms display source code text and the language to edit. Translations may be exported and imported to and from dictionary files. More broadly, you can also develope glossary files defining terms and their usage. This can include terms and concepts included in the documentation as well as the applications. Selected transations in the glossary files can be exported to the dictionary files. MS glossary files, with standard Windows translations, can be imported to a PDLingua glossary.

Internationalization without the use of a .ENV file. The CWIntl library and templates dynamically change screen and report text and displays to match user international settings and localize environment settings without the need for an environment file.

Character Functions. Supplemental character set functions (API wrappers) provide a variety of facilities for handling international text.

Template Features

Report/Window Template. The Templates automate internationalization by setting window and report properties for all screens and reports, virtually eliminating the need for any hand coding of international support functions. Third party templates generally may easily be modified to include template generated screen and report code. Among other features, default action variables may be set globally using CWIntl's text resource function. Standard text for such things as error messages, warning messages, standard buttons, and standard menu items may be maintain in a separate text file of standard text. This may be distributed as a separate file or merged into the text database file using the Resource Manager.

Text Utility. The text utility template creates text files of all application screen and window text for translation, spell checking, development of program multiple language screen and window text, and program testing. This optionally includes window captions, messages, list headers, module names, and language codes and is organized by section and Use/Equate variables. These application specific files can be used for translation and then merged with standard text files.

Localization Code. A localization code template automates localization without the need for an environment file. A simple system of checking sort strings avoids problems that might be caused by using the default WINDOWS setting. Library functions are included for getting environment strings such as sort strings, case, month names, and button text.

Warning Extension. A substitute StandardWarnings procedure retrieves error message and warning text from a resource file. Multiple translations may be maintained in a standard resource file during program development or merged into a single database resource file.

Report Preview Extension. A substitute ReportPreview function adds international language support to CW's report preview procedure.

Progress Window Extension. An extension applied to reports and process procedures adds international language support to the Progress Window.

Message Code. A message code template integrates CWIntl text retrieval functions into a fill in the blanks message template for using the built in Message function. Two message entry points are provided for combining literal and variable based information in a message. Messages include an entry for a routine label to facility their optional use as a routine.

Additional Code Templates. Several additional code templates are provided for calling CWIntl functions.

CWIntl Dynamic Link Library

Picture Conversion Functions. Picture conversion functions change date, time, number, and currency pictures to pictures consistent with Windows International Settings. Functions are provided for all types of controls.

Number, Date, and Time Functions. Number, currency, date, and time functions dynamically set entry and display controls to match the foreign end user's set up. Using CW's property assignment statements, date orders, currency symbols, thousand and decimal point separators, currency decimal places, even month and day names and more change without any input from the programmer or end user. The long date display pictures optionally include the leading day name.

Day and Month Names. Day and month names are read from the Windows Registry or NLS files. The long date format can include day names as well as the date. Time displays may include hundredths.

Text Retrieval. Text may be retrieved from one or more text files or a database file organized by language and procedure. Entries may be variablized by use variable or equate labels.

Message Function. A special message functions includes support for retrieving text from resource files and the passing of both variable and literal text. A merge function can merge variable text into a string, handling varying sentency structures.

Ancillary Functions. Ancillary functions are provided for testing for alpha and alphanumeric strings, upper and lower case, and flag manipulation. These handle ANSI characters more reliably the the CW functions. Some of these predate functions provided with CW Release 1002 and have been retained to maintain backward compatibility.

Localization Functions. Localization functions such as GetSortSeq, GetMonth, GetMon, and GetCase enable localization without the need for an environment file. These are supported by a code template.

Binary Flags. A system of flag equates allow the programmer to override windows international settings and control the behavior of specific functions. These may, for example, specify the ini file to use for international settings, force four digit years in dates, maintain date orders, and more.

CWIntl Order Information

Price

The full CWIntl suite is available for 499 USD plus shipping and handling.

Direct Order

ProDomus
860-233-0705 
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