NLS consists of features within MPE XL and in the
FCOPY, IMAGE, KSAM, QUERY, SORT-MERGE, VPLUS,
and COBOL II/XL subsystems. These facilities allow application programs
to be designed and written with a local language user interface for
the end user and locally correct internal processing.
The MPE XL interface, subsystems, programmer productivity tools, and
compilers have not been localized. The applications designer
must still interact with MPE XL and its subsystems using American
English. For example, it is possible to write a complete local
language application program using COBOL II/XL and VPLUS, but the COBOL II/XL
compiler and the VPLUS FORMSPEC program retain their
English-like characteristics.
Not all functions that vary from one language or
country to another are provided by NLS. For example, tax
calculation rules are usually country- or local-specific,
and rules for word hyphenation are
dependent upon individual languages.
Functions such as these are considered application-specific
and are beyond the scope of NLS.
