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Thread: How does dataflex handle special characters

  1. #1

    Default How does dataflex handle special characters

    Hi Everyone

    We have a customer converting from a very old system to a new dataflex system. They use a special character (ascii 232). Database explorer allows the character to be displayed but when you click on the field, it replaces the special code with an "F". Does anyone know how we can keep the special code without dataflex replacing it? Thanks.

    Regards,
    John

  2. #2
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    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    John,

    Extended ASCII characters are converted from the current OEM codepage to the current ANSI codepage. Database Explorer should show and allow editing the character in the same way. I've not seen it doing differently. The OEM character might not be in the ANSI codepage but then I would not expect a difference between showing and editing.

    Could it be possible that you ran into the Recent Microsoft Changes to Windows 10 May Impact Functionality and/or Data Integrity problem?
    Regards,
    Data Access Worldwide
    Vincent Oorsprong

  3. #3

    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    Hi Vincent

    Thanks for your prompt reply. I may have incorrectly stated the problem. We are converting an old dataflex character mode system called CBA. On the old system ascii 232 is displayed as a different symbol (like an "o" with a line down the middle). However if I type in my number keyboard alt then 232, it shows a different symbol (more like a small p). So when I display the table (embedded) in the current database explorer, it still displays the symbol as in the old system but if you click on the field, it changes the symbol to an "F".

    We have tried this from different computers and laptops and all of them are the same. Is this to do with OEM and ANSI?

    Regards,
    John

  4. #4
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    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    John,

    I think you are using OEM codepage 437 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_page_437) as this shows the character Phi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phi) as the character for this number.

    I don't see this character in the ANSI codepage 1252 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows-1252) but the ANSI codepage 1251 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows-1251) shows this character and accessible as Alt+244.

    So, what codepages are in use on your machine and in the past on the DOS machine.
    Regards,
    Data Access Worldwide
    Vincent Oorsprong

  5. #5

    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    Hi Vincent

    Currently I use Australian English so that is codepage 1252 I presume but on this codepage the Phi symbol is not available? Codepage 1251 is more for Russian language isn't it? So in the past, the DOS codepage is now different from the Windows codepage and certain symbols are no longer supported? This is pretty new area to me so not sure I understand it fully. How do I convert the old DOS phi symbol to a new windows phi symbol? Not sure if I am stating this correctly.

    Regards,
    John

  6. #6
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    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    Hi John,

    This is most probably a OEM / ANSI issue. On this page you can see what the OEM character for 232 is: "Φ". See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_page_437. In Windows ANSI it is indeed a "Þ".
    Best regards,

    Peter van Mil
    Appvantage b.v.

  7. #7

    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    Hi Peter,

    I understand the issue now. So how do I keep the phi symbol (OEM character for 232) in the new system? The company we are doing this for is adamant that they want it.

    Regards,
    John

  8. #8
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    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    We have a customer converting from a very old system to a new dataflex system.
    I don't exactly know what you mean by this. Did you migrate the database too? Do you use the embedded database or MSSQL with ANSI? If there is somewhere a OEM/ANSI translation, than you will loose this character.
    Best regards,

    Peter van Mil
    Appvantage b.v.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: How does dataflex handle special characters

    John,

    You need to find out what DOS code page they used as the phi symbol is also present in codepage 869 (https://www.ascii-codes.com/cp869.html) and in 737 (https://www.ascii-codes.com/cp737.html). You will need to change the Windows OEM and ANSI codepages to the same sets.

    Or wait for DataFlex 2020 to be ready and use the Unicode version of the character. You will need to convert your database to SQL, which is a good thing anyway.
    Regards,
    Data Access Worldwide
    Vincent Oorsprong

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