Hindi Numerics
In many Arabic countries the numeric keypad shows two sets of numeric characters. The normal 0 through 9 (called ARABIC) plus the HINDI numeric characters. HINDI numerics are treated as characters by the IBM i.
To support this type of display a field attribute may be used to cause LANSA to translate the numeric field into its character HINDI equivalent when being displayed on a screen or printed on a report. The reverse translation applies when the HINDI field is input from a screen.
The "HIND" attribute in Field Input and Output Attributes Lists may be used as either an input or output attribute. Irrespective of which list the attribute is specified in, the Hindi translation will apply to all input and output of the field.
The translation to and from HINDI in no way affects LANSA's treatment of the field. LANSA still considers the field to be numeric. Therefore all edit codes, edit words and other numeric only operations can still be used.
When a field that contains the 'HIND' attribute is displayed on a screen, or printed on a report LANSA converts the numeric field to a character field. Any edit code or edit word that is attached to the field is applied, before the Arabic characters are translated to their Hindi equivalent.
When a field that contains the 'HIND' attribute is input from a screen, LANSA converts the character field back to a numeric field. All editing characters are removed, and any decimal points and negative signs recorded, and Hindi characters are translated back to their Arabic equivalent.
These translations to and from Hindi characters fields are transparent to users and developers of LANSA applications. The use of character fields and the methods used for the translations causes some limitations and restrictions.
Limitations and Restrictions
- The field must be numeric (Type S or P)
- The maximum field size is 30,9.
- Packed numeric fields on reports MUST be of odd length.
- Fields which contain decimal places MUST use an edit code or edit word which displays the decimal point. If this is not done unexpected results may occur.
- Fields which are to allow negative values MUST use an edit code or edit word which displays a negative balance indicator (the minus (-) sign , CR symbol and floating minus are permitted).
- The 'HIND' attribute is an IBM i specific feature and may not be supported on other platforms.