Windows Generic String Format Functions

Internationalization (I18n) Issue:

These functions are the Generic versions of the Single and Multi Byte and Wide Character string format functions. To operate correctly, generic arguments and return values should be used.

I18n Solution:

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

I18n Discussion:

See String Formatting in C and C++ for complete details on all issues regarding formatting strings.

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, _ftprintf will map to fprintf if the _MBCS compiler switch is defined, and to fwprintf 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.