SE47488: SOURCE CODE NOT STARTING IN CORRECT POSITION ON WINDOWS 7

APAR status

• Closed as Permanent restriction.

Error description

• On Windows XP, Unicode character U+0082 is displayed as a square
  box.  On Windows 7 the same character is not displayed at all,
  causing source code to shift one column to the left.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED: Those who use RDP on any version of Windows  *
  *                 starting with Vista - including Windows 7 -  *
  *                 and who also edit source members in SEU,     *
  *                 and insert 5250 display attribute hex codes  *
  *                 into comment lines in their source.          *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: 5250 display attribute hex codes used   *
  *                      to color source in SEU aren't rendered  *
  *                      in RDP from Windows Vista onwards,      *
  *                      causing source code to shift by one     *
  *                      column                                  *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  A number of hex code characters that represent 5250 display
  attributes are commonly inserted into comment lines of source
  members.  While SEU was not originally designed to support
  these display attributes, 5250 display terminals will honor
  these attributes regardless.  As such, this allows source
  members to be displayed with the 5250 display attributes - such
  as underline, reverse image, and in colors like white and red -
  corresponding to the hex codes, when viewed in SEU.
  
  When such a source member is opened in RDP, the hex code
  characters typically display as a square box or other special
  symbol.  Beginning with Windows Vista onwards, including
  Windows 7, the operating system no longer renders these hex
  code characters for the majority of its fonts.  Rather than
  seeing a square box, a zero width character is rendered, which
  is invisible.  This causes the remainder of the text on the
  comment line to appear shifted over by one column to the left.
  
  This does not affect compilation of the source, as the hex code
  characters are still being maintained and saved by RDP.
  However, the source will appear as if it is not lined up with
  the column rulers.
  

Problem conclusion

• The operating system and its fonts control how characters are
  rendered and displayed in all applications, including the LPEX
  editor in RDP.  RDP does not control the rendering of special
  characters in operating system fonts.  As long as the
  underlying operating system does not support rendering of these
  characters, RDP will no longer support them.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  RPG/COBOL DEV T

• Fixed component ID

  5724Y9901

Applicable component levels