Most languages are written in horizontal direction but vertical writing format is needed in DBCS languages. Some word processing application programs provide this function to the DBCS users. In DBCS PM, the GpiSetCharDirection function can be applied for this purpose. However, application needs to select or request the user to select the vertical writing font when the vertical writing function is required. Currently, the only vertical font in DBCS PM is the ATM Heisei font for OS/2 J. The vertical font provides some symbol characters in a different position because they have different position in the vertical writing format and this can not be done by using only the GPI function.
The A string in horizontal and vertical writing format shows the string in a horizontal writing format and in a vertical horizontal writing format.
Note: Some vertical fonts in DBCS Windows provide the SBCS characters font in a 90 degree right rotation. However, this is not required because the application program can rotate a string to 90 degree by GPI functions.
┌────┐ The DBCS character
│D │ ─── is placed as it is
│ 1│ in the horizontal
├────┤ writing format
│D │
│ 2│
├────┤ The DBCS comma is
│ ,│ ─── placed in the
┌───┬───┬───┬───┬───┬───┐ │ │ right top position
│D│1│D│2│, │D│4│D│5│. │────── ├────┤
└───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┘ │D │
│ 4│
│ ├────┤
│ │D │
│ │ 5│
DBCS comma ├────┤
in normal position │ .│
│ │
└────┘
A DBCS text in A DBCS text in
horizontal writing format vertical writing format
A string in horizontal and vertical writing format