/J (Change Default char Type)

The /J option changes the default char type from signed to unsigned. This option is useful when working with character data that will eventually be translated into a language other than English. If a char value is explicitly declared signed, the /J option does not affect it, and the value is sign-extended when widened to int type. The char type is zero-extended when widened to int type.

When you specify /J, the compiler automatically defines the identifier _CHAR_UNSIGNED, which is used with #ifndef in the LIMITS.H include file to define the range of the default char type.

Neither ANSI C nor C++ requires a specific implementation of the char type.