PRB: Random Symbols on Dialog Box in Japanese Windows

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

While using the Japanese Resource compiler to compile a Japanese resource file, and running it under Japanese Windows, you see random symbols on the dialog box where Japanese characters should be.

CAUSE

Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica fonts work well with English characters and most European characters, but not with Japanese characters. The Japanese fonts that have font names starting with '@' are vertical fonts, meaning they are designed specifically for vertical writing (writing from top to bottom and right to left). They are not suitable for English where writing is horizontal (left to right).

RESOLUTION

Use the Japanese font for that dialog box. If no particular Japanese font is desired, use the system font (a Japanese font under Japanese Windows) by omitting the FONT resource statement from your dialog template, or send the WM_SETFONT message with the system font to the control that contains Japanese characters.