Arabic Character Shape Selection Functions

There are five shape selection keys: one for Contextual Shape Determination (CSD), and 4 for Specific Shaping modes (Base/Isolated, Initial, Middle, Final). The default Shaping Mode is CSD.

The keys unique to Bidirectional 3270 are:
  • Contextual Shape Determination (CSD) key: Pressing this key sets the shaping mode to Contextual Shape Determination (CSD), which is the default. Note that contextual shape determination is performed only for right-to-left text entered or modified by the operator. This key toggles between CSD and Base mode.

    Pressing any of the Specific shape selection keys disables CSD.

    The character Alef-Madda

    in the operator information area indicates that CSD is selected.

    This function is initiated by the key combination Alt+NumPad4.

  • Specific Shape Selection keys:
    • Base/Isolated: initiated by the key combination Alt+NumPad2
    • Initial: initiated by the key combination Alt+NumPad1
    • Final: initiated by the key combination Alt+NumPad7
    • Middle: initiated by the key combination Alt+NumPad8
    Pressing one of the above keys disables CSD, and sets shaping mode to the selected value. Arabic letters typed from then on will have the selected shape.
    Note:
    Some Arabic characters do not have middle, initial, or final shapes. In this case, if the user enters one of those characters where the requested shape does not exist, then the closest shape is selected according to the following rules:
    • Instead of initial, isolated is selected.
    • Instead of final, isolated is selected.
    • Instead of middle, final (if it exists) or isolated is selected.
    The selected Shaping Mode is shown in the operator information area:
    • Isolated GHEIN

      indicates Base/Isolated Shaping Mode
    • Initial GHEIN

      indicates Initial Shaping Mode
    • Middle GHEIN

      indicates Middle Shaping Mode
    • Final GHEIN

      indicates Final Shaping Mode
  • Field Shape key: Pressing the key combination Alt+NumPad+ causes the shaping of the Arabic data present in the current field or line. The cursor position remains unchanged.
  • Field De-Shape key: The key combination Alt+NumPad Enter de-shapes the Arabic data present in the current field or line. All Arabic letters are converted to their Base/Isolated shapes.