Transcoding character data

Because the CommonPoint application system manipulates only Unicode text data, any text you import from or export to a system using another character encoding system must be transcoded. The text system's transcoding facility allows you to convert unstyled text data between Unicode and other character sets. The transcoding facility includes these classes:

TTranscoder is the abstract base class that provides the basic protocol for transcoding character strings both to and from Unicode. The text system currently provides these concrete classes for performing text conversion:

TASCIITranscoder converts between Unicode and ASCII character data.
TUTF7Transcoder and TUTF8Transcoder convert between Unicode and UTF character data. You should use UTF-7 and UTF-8 wherever you need to use char data:
- UTF-7 provides a 7-bit encoding for use with 7-bit transports, such as mail or news systems. UTF-7 is safe for Internet mail.
- UTF-8 is suitable for use on all major byte-oriented file systems, including UNIX", DOS, and System 7.
TMacintoshTranscoder converts between Unicode and Macintosh character data.

TRuleBasedTranscoder, an abstract class derived from TTranscoder, provides basic protocol for transcoders whose rules can be individually added, edited, and accessed. Each rule is represented by an instance of TTranscodingRule.

In addition, the transcoding classes use the class TTranscodingException, derived from TStandardException, to issue exceptions. TTranscodingException defines the exception condition kTranscodingNotInstalled, generated when a client instantiates a transcoder for which a transcoding table is not available.

[Contents] [Previous] [Next]

Click the icon to mail questions or corrections about this material to Taligent personnel.

Generated with WebMaker