Arabic is a cursive script. This means that the presentation of each letter depends on its location in the word (initial, middle, final or isolated).
Data may be stored "shaped", i.e. each letter of the text is stored in the specific codepoint (out of the different possible codepoints for that letter) that suits its position in the word and the connecting capabilities of its adjacent letters. Such data can be displayed directly.
Data may also be stored in nominal or base shapes, i.e. one codepoint per letter, regardless of its position. Such data must be "shaped" before it is displayed.
The text shape attribute defines how the Arabic text is stored and also what type of conversion should be performed on it in order to display it correctly. It can take the following values:
This implies that the text is stored in nominal/base shapes and should be automatically shaped upon display.
PM entryfields that have this attribute automatically shape new text as it is being entered by the user and will submit the text in nominal shapes upon query.
This implies that the text is displayed and stored in its nominal (base) shapes.
This text shape is not commonly used.
The following shaping modes are valid only when the type of text is visual:
This implies that text is already shaped and ready for display.
PM entryfields that have this attribute automatically shape new text as it is being entered by the user and will submit the text as it appears on the screen upon query.
This implies that text is already shaped and ready for display.
PM entryfields that are set to this mode shape new characters typed by the user in initial shapes and will submit the text as it appears on the screen upon query.
This mode is usually initiated with a hotkey by users who need to type some characters specifically in their initial shapes.
This implies that text is already shaped and ready for display.
PM entryfields that are set to this mode shape new characters typed by the user in middle shapes and will submit the text as it appears on the screen upon query.
This mode is usually initiated with a hotkey by users who need to type some characters specifically in their middle shapes.
This implies that text is already shaped and ready for display.
PM entryfields that are set to this mode shape new characters typed by the user in final shapes and will submit the text as it appears on the screen upon query.
This mode is usually initiated with a hotkey by users who need to type some characters specifically in their final shapes.
This implies that text is already shaped and ready for display.
PM entryfields that are set to this mode shape new characters typed by the user in isolated shapes and will submit the text as it appears on the screen upon query.
This mode is usually initiated with a hotkey by users who need to type some characters specifically in their isolated shapes.