When to use setlocale() ?

biosx · 01-29-2004, 10:08 AM

I've been browsing some source code for various GNU programs and I've noticed the use of setlocale(). However, you don't see it everywhere.

So I was wondering what the circumstances were to set locales.

I read the man for setlocale() and it didn't help much.

thanks

jim mcnamara · 01-29-2004, 10:27 AM

setlocale() controls things like output radix display, date & time displays, etc. Most <time.h> functions are sensitive to locale settings, for example.

On a system level, locale (not from setlocale() ) affects collation sequence - the order of sorting as well as a lot of commands.

It allows you to change countries/languages with your code.

biosx · 01-29-2004, 04:44 PM

Thx for the reply.

So I should worry about using setlocale( ) when I need to do internationalization and also other environment based tweaks?

jim mcnamara · 01-31-2004, 06:04 AM

Primarily cross-country deployment. We work with a major app that was developed to run in places as diverse as Spain & Jamaica. locale settings matter a lot. But these are controlled mainly at the system level.