Windows Generic Character Manipulation Functions

Internationalization (I18n) Issue:

These functions are the Generic versions of the single-byte, wide, and multibyte character manipulation functions. To operate correctly, generic arguments and return values should be used.

I18n Solution:

Use the appropriate equivalent Windows Generic character manipulation function when reengineering an application for internationalization.

I18n Discussion:

When a Generic function call is used, the _MBCS or _UNICODE compiler switch determines whether to map to the multibyte or wide version of the function. For example, _gettchar will map to getchar if the _MBCS compiler switch is defined, and to getwchar if the _UNICODE switch is defined.

The arguments and return values for these functions are also Generic and dependent on the _MBCS/_UNICODE switch for their mapping to either narrow or wide-character data.

See the MSDN Library's Using Generic Text Mappings for more information.