I am interested in developing a Localization Software for Palm such as Palm m515, or for Palm OS5 Based Devices.
These are two very different problems. With the m515 (which uses Palm OS 4.x) you can patch the various routines required to support bi-di/contextual, while such patching is currently not publicly supported for Palm OS 5.x devices.
I am want to Enable bi-lingual English/Arabic Support for Palm. As there is some tools out in the market like APOS from IAI (www.arabicpalm.com), but I found some problems and I am want to develop a better version on my own. The problems with APOS 4.0, for example, if you enable Arabic, the device response will decrease by at least 40% especially, in Memo Application for example, and you can not wirte easily even in English Text after writing several lines. It will become very SLOW!!!. This is very bad. Also, applications like QuickOffice and Document To Go, will not work properly or will crash with APOS 4.0 if Arabic is Enabled.
No matter how you implement support for Arabic, there will be applications (especially those with custom text processing functionality) that won't work properly - though crashing seems a bit extreme.
I have just joined the Palm OS Developer Program and I need help to get started.
Before attempting to patch OS routines, I'd suggest writing at least one non-trivial application to get a feel for how Palm OS works. What you're talking about doing is a large and complex project, with lots of trap patching fun and games.
I am looking for the proper development tools that will allow me develop effecient localization software, even if I have to wirte Machine Native Code (something similar to Assmebly on the PC). During the university days, more than 10 years ago, I have developed an Arabic Localization Driver for Epson LQ Printer for the PC (under DOS) using Assembly Language, and it was 100% successful. I have to assume that now with the new development tools, it should me much more easier to develop a localization solution for a Platform like Palm.
Both gcc and CodeWarrior are suitable for developing C and 68K-based patches for pre-5.0 versions of Palm OS.
Arabic requires special processing to display the proper character shapes based on the previous and the next charachter, in addition to other complications reg.s font types and searching. For example, the Arabic Letter "Alef" (corresponds to the latine "A"), has 3 different shapes, but when you search, for "Alef", all different occurences of Alef must be located.
So using this as an example, you'd want to patch TxtPrepFindString and TxtFindString.
This means that I need to work with the right tools that will allow me to define tha Arabic Character Shapes (Code Page) which has to be Compatible with that of Windows. Also, I have to be able to define the bit-map image of each character.
For fonts you'd want to search the archives, as there have been many postings regarding how to create custom fonts.
-- Ken -- Ken Krugler TransPac Software, Inc. <http://www.transpac.com> +1 530-470-9200
-- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
