Unprintable double-byte characters

A double-byte character is considered unprintable if its double-byte code is not in the valid range or if its double-byte code is valid but does not have a character image defined.

You can specify that the system replace unprintable double-byte characters by specifying the replace unprintable character parameter (RPLUNPRT(*YES)) on the CRTPRTF, CHGPRTF, or OVRPRTF command, but you cannot choose the replacement character.

Although you cannot choose the replacement character for unprintable double-byte characters, you can choose the replacement character for unprintable alphanumeric characters. To improve system performance, select a blank ( ) as the replacement character for unprintable alphanumeric characters.

When the system finds an unprintable double-byte character during printing, the following happens:

• If you specify RPLUNPRT(*YES), the system does not send a message when it finds unprintable characters. Instead, the system prints unprintable extended characters as either the double-byte underline (__) when you specify extended character processing, or as an undefined character when you do not specify extended character processing.

  For Japanese printers, the default symbol used is:

  

  For Chinese and Korean printers, the default symbol used is the underscore.

  The system prints unprintable basic double-byte characters as double-byte blanks.

• If you specify RPLUNPRT(*NO), the system sends an inquiry message when it finds unprintable characters. You have the following options:
  • Hold the spooled file.
  • Continue printing where the unprintable character was encountered. If you continue printing, the system sends the inquiry message that you just received. It is sent each time the system finds an unprintable character, regardless of your response to the first message.
  • Continue printing by specifying a page number where printing should continue. When the system finds subsequent unprintable characters, it processes the characters as if the file were specified with RPLUNPRT(*YES). See the item in this list about RPLUNPRT(*YES) for a description of how the system processes these characters.

If the system finds invalid double-byte code, it stops processing double-byte extended characters and prints them as the undefined character.