NAME

forder − convert file data order

SYNOPSIS

forder [-l] [-n] [file ...]

DESCRIPTION

The text orientation (mode) of a file can be right-to-left (non-Latin) or left-to-right (Latin).  This text orientation can affect the way data is arranged in the file.  The data arrangements that result are called screen order and keyboard order.  Forder converts the order of characters in the file from screen order to keyboard order or vice versa. 

Forder performs the conversion based on mode information contained in the LANGOPTS environment variable [mode][_order][.outdigit].  It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the LANGOPTS environment variable reflects accurately the status of the file.  If the mode component of LANGOPTS is set to l, the file is identified as having been created in Latin mode.  If the mode component of LANGOPTS is set to n, the file is identified as having been created in non-Latin mode.  Non-Latin mode is the default value.  Alternative numbers (if present) always have a left-to-right orientation. 

The LANGOPTS mode information can be overridden using the following options:

−l Identify the file as having been created in Latin mode. 

−n Identify the file as having been created in non-Latin mode. 

Forder reads the concatenation of input files (or standard input if none are given) and produces on standard output a converted version of its input.  If "-" appears as an input file name, forder reads standard input at that point.  You can use "--" to delimit the end of options. 

The command converts input files for all right-to-left languages.  For languages that have a left-to-right orientation, the command simply copies input files to standard output. 

EXAMPLES

The following command begins with file1, which exists in screen order, converts it to keyboard order, sorts the keyboard-ordered output, converts it back to screen order, and redirects the output to file2.  Note that −n is given to inform forder that file1 was created in non-Latin mode. 

forder −n file1 | sort | forder −n > file2

SEE ALSO

environ(5), hpnls(5), strord(3C), nljust(1). 

AUTHOR

Forder was developed by HP. 

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

8-bit data, messages

Hewlett-Packard Company  —  May 11, 2021