jordan@apple.UUCP (03/04/87)
In reply to questions about non-Roman text processing on the Macintosh: Apple Computer has implemented a new part of the Toolbox known as the Script Manager (described in Chapter 13 of "Inside Macintosh Volume V", which is available from APDA (Apple Programmer's and Developer's Assoication) in draft form). The Script Manager allows applictions to function correctly with non-Roman writing systems such as Japanese, Arabic, and Chinese, as well as the various Roman writing systems (English, Spanish, German). Quoting from "Inside Macintosh Volume V", Chapter 13: "The Script Manager is the low-level software that enables Macintosh applications to work with such different scripts. It includes utilities and initialization code to create an environment in which scripts of all kinds can be handled. In order for an application to use a particular script, a SCRIPT INTERFACE SYSTEM to support that script must also be present. The Macintosh normally uses the Roman script, so the Roman Interface System (RIS) is in the system file and always present. On some models it may be in ROM. Other Script Interface Systems are the Kanji Interface System (KIS, also called KanjiTalk), which allows applications to write in Japanese, the Arabic Interface System (AIS), and the Hanze Interface System (HIS) for Chinese." Since Text Edit supports the Script Manager, the only people who need to worry about using the Script Manager are those that directly manipulate text such as word processors (But that is what everyone is interested in, is it not :-) ). At present, the information and software you need to use the Script Manager and various Script Interface Systems is a little scattered, though it will soon all be available through APDA (Apple Programmer's and Developer's Assoication). The documentation that describes the Script Manager is in the draft version of "Inside Macintosh Volume V", which is available from APDA. The documentation that describes how to write applications that are easily localizied is in the "Human Interface Guidelines: The Apple Desktop Interface", which is available from APDA. At present the only Script Interface System which is available to outside developers is the Kanji Interface System (KIS or KanjiTalk). It is available from Apple Software Licensing, for a fee of fifty dollars a year. This entitles you to updates that occur during that year and allows you to include KanjiTalk with applications which you are shipping. If you are interested in licensing KanjiTalk, contact: Donna Reed Tyacke Software Licensing Apple Computer, Inc. 20525 Mariani Avenue, MS: 28B Cupertino, CA 95014 408-973-3053 In the near future, a package of information on the Script Manager should be available through APDA. Also, the various Script Interface Systems should be available though APDA in the near future. At present, the only development system which supports the Script Manager is MPW 2.0 (Macintosh Programmer's Workshop), though it is accessable from MPW C, MPW Pascal, and MPW Assembly. MPW 2.0 will be available from APDA as soon as it goes Beta. If you have any questions about the Script Manager and the progress it making information about it available from APDA, or about other development tools feel free to contact me. -- Jordan Mattson UUCP: ucbvax!mtxinu!apple!jordan Apple Computer, Inc. CSNET: jordan@apple.CSNET Tools & Languages Product Management 20525 Mariani Avenue, MS 27S Cupertino, CA 95014 408-973-4601 "Joy is the serious business of heaven." C.S. Lewis