1 Unicode support 1 Unicode support
2 =============== 2 ===============
3 3
4 Last update: 2005-01-17, vers 4 Last update: 2005-01-17, version 1.4
5 5
6 Note: The original version of this document, w 6 Note: The original version of this document, which was maintained at
7 lanana.org as part of the Linux Assigned Names 7 lanana.org as part of the Linux Assigned Names And Numbers Authority
8 (LANANA) project, is no longer existent. So, 8 (LANANA) project, is no longer existent. So, this version in the
9 mainline Linux kernel is now the maintained ma 9 mainline Linux kernel is now the maintained main document.
10 10
11 Introduction 11 Introduction
12 ------------ 12 ------------
13 13
14 The Linux kernel code has been rewritten to us 14 The Linux kernel code has been rewritten to use Unicode to map
15 characters to fonts. By downloading a single 15 characters to fonts. By downloading a single Unicode-to-font table,
16 both the eight-bit character sets and UTF-8 mo 16 both the eight-bit character sets and UTF-8 mode are changed to use
17 the font as indicated. 17 the font as indicated.
18 18
19 This changes the semantics of the eight-bit ch 19 This changes the semantics of the eight-bit character tables subtly.
20 The four character tables are now: 20 The four character tables are now:
21 21
22 =============== ============================== 22 =============== =============================== ================
23 Map symbol Map name 23 Map symbol Map name Escape code (G0)
24 =============== ============================== 24 =============== =============================== ================
25 LAT1_MAP Latin-1 (ISO 8859-1) 25 LAT1_MAP Latin-1 (ISO 8859-1) ESC ( B
26 GRAF_MAP DEC VT100 pseudographics 26 GRAF_MAP DEC VT100 pseudographics ESC ( 0
27 IBMPC_MAP IBM code page 437 27 IBMPC_MAP IBM code page 437 ESC ( U
28 USER_MAP User defined 28 USER_MAP User defined ESC ( K
29 =============== ============================== 29 =============== =============================== ================
30 30
31 In particular, ESC ( U is no longer "straight 31 In particular, ESC ( U is no longer "straight to font", since the font
32 might be completely different than the IBM cha 32 might be completely different than the IBM character set. This
33 permits for example the use of block graphics 33 permits for example the use of block graphics even with a Latin-1 font
34 loaded. 34 loaded.
35 35
36 Note that although these codes are similar to 36 Note that although these codes are similar to ISO 2022, neither the
37 codes nor their uses match ISO 2022; Linux has 37 codes nor their uses match ISO 2022; Linux has two 8-bit codes (G0 and
38 G1), whereas ISO 2022 has four 7-bit codes (G0 38 G1), whereas ISO 2022 has four 7-bit codes (G0-G3).
39 39
40 In accordance with the Unicode standard/ISO 10 40 In accordance with the Unicode standard/ISO 10646 the range U+F000 to
41 U+F8FF has been reserved for OS-wide allocatio 41 U+F8FF has been reserved for OS-wide allocation (the Unicode Standard
42 refers to this as a "Corporate Zone", since th 42 refers to this as a "Corporate Zone", since this is inaccurate for
43 Linux we call it the "Linux Zone"). U+F000 wa 43 Linux we call it the "Linux Zone"). U+F000 was picked as the starting
44 point since it lets the direct-mapping area st 44 point since it lets the direct-mapping area start on a large power of
45 two (in case 1024- or 2048-character fonts eve 45 two (in case 1024- or 2048-character fonts ever become necessary).
46 This leaves U+E000 to U+EFFF as End User Zone. 46 This leaves U+E000 to U+EFFF as End User Zone.
47 47
48 [v1.2]: The Unicodes range from U+F000 and up 48 [v1.2]: The Unicodes range from U+F000 and up to U+F7FF have been
49 hard-coded to map directly to the loaded font, 49 hard-coded to map directly to the loaded font, bypassing the
50 translation table. The user-defined map now d 50 translation table. The user-defined map now defaults to U+F000 to
51 U+F0FF, emulating the previous behaviour. In 51 U+F0FF, emulating the previous behaviour. In practice, this range
52 might be shorter; for example, vgacon can only 52 might be shorter; for example, vgacon can only handle 256-character
53 (U+F000..U+F0FF) or 512-character (U+F000..U+F 53 (U+F000..U+F0FF) or 512-character (U+F000..U+F1FF) fonts.
54 54
55 55
56 Actual characters assigned in the Linux Zone 56 Actual characters assigned in the Linux Zone
57 -------------------------------------------- 57 --------------------------------------------
58 58
59 In addition, the following characters not pres 59 In addition, the following characters not present in Unicode 1.1.4
60 have been defined; these are used by the DEC V 60 have been defined; these are used by the DEC VT graphics map. [v1.2]
61 THIS USE IS OBSOLETE AND SHOULD NO LONGER BE U 61 THIS USE IS OBSOLETE AND SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED; PLEASE SEE BELOW.
62 62
63 ====== ====================================== 63 ====== ======================================
64 U+F800 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 1 64 U+F800 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 1
65 U+F801 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 3 65 U+F801 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 3
66 U+F803 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 7 66 U+F803 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 7
67 U+F804 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 9 67 U+F804 DEC VT GRAPHICS HORIZONTAL LINE SCAN 9
68 ====== ====================================== 68 ====== ======================================
69 69
70 The DEC VT220 uses a 6x10 character matrix, an 70 The DEC VT220 uses a 6x10 character matrix, and these characters form
71 a smooth progression in the DEC VT graphics ch 71 a smooth progression in the DEC VT graphics character set. I have
72 omitted the scan 5 line, since it is also used 72 omitted the scan 5 line, since it is also used as a block-graphics
73 character, and hence has been coded as U+2500 73 character, and hence has been coded as U+2500 FORMS LIGHT HORIZONTAL.
74 74
75 [v1.3]: These characters have been officially 75 [v1.3]: These characters have been officially added to Unicode 3.2.0;
76 they are added at U+23BA, U+23BB, U+23BC, U+23 76 they are added at U+23BA, U+23BB, U+23BC, U+23BD. Linux now uses the
77 new values. 77 new values.
78 78
79 [v1.2]: The following characters have been add 79 [v1.2]: The following characters have been added to represent common
80 keyboard symbols that are unlikely to ever be 80 keyboard symbols that are unlikely to ever be added to Unicode proper
81 since they are horribly vendor-specific. This 81 since they are horribly vendor-specific. This, of course, is an
82 excellent example of horrible design. 82 excellent example of horrible design.
83 83
84 ====== ====================================== 84 ====== ======================================
85 U+F810 KEYBOARD SYMBOL FLYING FLAG 85 U+F810 KEYBOARD SYMBOL FLYING FLAG
86 U+F811 KEYBOARD SYMBOL PULLDOWN MENU 86 U+F811 KEYBOARD SYMBOL PULLDOWN MENU
87 U+F812 KEYBOARD SYMBOL OPEN APPLE 87 U+F812 KEYBOARD SYMBOL OPEN APPLE
88 U+F813 KEYBOARD SYMBOL SOLID APPLE 88 U+F813 KEYBOARD SYMBOL SOLID APPLE
89 ====== ====================================== 89 ====== ======================================
90 90
91 Klingon language support 91 Klingon language support
92 ------------------------ 92 ------------------------
93 93
94 In 1996, Linux was the first operating system 94 In 1996, Linux was the first operating system in the world to add
95 support for the artificial language Klingon, c 95 support for the artificial language Klingon, created by Marc Okrand
96 for the "Star Trek" television series. This e 96 for the "Star Trek" television series. This encoding was later
97 adopted by the ConScript Unicode Registry and 97 adopted by the ConScript Unicode Registry and proposed (but ultimately
98 rejected) for inclusion in Unicode Plane 1. T 98 rejected) for inclusion in Unicode Plane 1. Thus, it remains as a
99 Linux/CSUR private assignment in the Linux Zon 99 Linux/CSUR private assignment in the Linux Zone.
100 100
101 This encoding has been endorsed by the Klingon 101 This encoding has been endorsed by the Klingon Language Institute.
102 For more information, contact them at: 102 For more information, contact them at:
103 103
104 http://www.kli.org/ 104 http://www.kli.org/
105 105
106 Since the characters in the beginning of the L 106 Since the characters in the beginning of the Linux CZ have been more
107 of the dingbats/symbols/forms type and this is 107 of the dingbats/symbols/forms type and this is a language, I have
108 located it at the end, on a 16-cell boundary i 108 located it at the end, on a 16-cell boundary in keeping with standard
109 Unicode practice. 109 Unicode practice.
110 110
111 .. note:: 111 .. note::
112 112
113 This range is now officially managed by the 113 This range is now officially managed by the ConScript Unicode
114 Registry. The normative reference is at: 114 Registry. The normative reference is at:
115 115
116 https://www.evertype.com/standards/csu 116 https://www.evertype.com/standards/csur/klingon.html
117 117
118 Klingon has an alphabet of 26 characters, a po 118 Klingon has an alphabet of 26 characters, a positional numeric writing
119 system with 10 digits, and is written left-to- 119 system with 10 digits, and is written left-to-right, top-to-bottom.
120 120
121 Several glyph forms for the Klingon alphabet h 121 Several glyph forms for the Klingon alphabet have been proposed.
122 However, since the set of symbols appear to be 122 However, since the set of symbols appear to be consistent throughout,
123 with only the actual shapes being different, i 123 with only the actual shapes being different, in keeping with standard
124 Unicode practice these differences are conside 124 Unicode practice these differences are considered font variants.
125 125
126 ====== ====================================== 126 ====== =======================================================
127 U+F8D0 KLINGON LETTER A 127 U+F8D0 KLINGON LETTER A
128 U+F8D1 KLINGON LETTER B 128 U+F8D1 KLINGON LETTER B
129 U+F8D2 KLINGON LETTER CH 129 U+F8D2 KLINGON LETTER CH
130 U+F8D3 KLINGON LETTER D 130 U+F8D3 KLINGON LETTER D
131 U+F8D4 KLINGON LETTER E 131 U+F8D4 KLINGON LETTER E
132 U+F8D5 KLINGON LETTER GH 132 U+F8D5 KLINGON LETTER GH
133 U+F8D6 KLINGON LETTER H 133 U+F8D6 KLINGON LETTER H
134 U+F8D7 KLINGON LETTER I 134 U+F8D7 KLINGON LETTER I
135 U+F8D8 KLINGON LETTER J 135 U+F8D8 KLINGON LETTER J
136 U+F8D9 KLINGON LETTER L 136 U+F8D9 KLINGON LETTER L
137 U+F8DA KLINGON LETTER M 137 U+F8DA KLINGON LETTER M
138 U+F8DB KLINGON LETTER N 138 U+F8DB KLINGON LETTER N
139 U+F8DC KLINGON LETTER NG 139 U+F8DC KLINGON LETTER NG
140 U+F8DD KLINGON LETTER O 140 U+F8DD KLINGON LETTER O
141 U+F8DE KLINGON LETTER P 141 U+F8DE KLINGON LETTER P
142 U+F8DF KLINGON LETTER Q 142 U+F8DF KLINGON LETTER Q
143 - Written <q> in standard Okrand Latin 143 - Written <q> in standard Okrand Latin transliteration
144 U+F8E0 KLINGON LETTER QH 144 U+F8E0 KLINGON LETTER QH
145 - Written <Q> in standard Okrand Latin 145 - Written <Q> in standard Okrand Latin transliteration
146 U+F8E1 KLINGON LETTER R 146 U+F8E1 KLINGON LETTER R
147 U+F8E2 KLINGON LETTER S 147 U+F8E2 KLINGON LETTER S
148 U+F8E3 KLINGON LETTER T 148 U+F8E3 KLINGON LETTER T
149 U+F8E4 KLINGON LETTER TLH 149 U+F8E4 KLINGON LETTER TLH
150 U+F8E5 KLINGON LETTER U 150 U+F8E5 KLINGON LETTER U
151 U+F8E6 KLINGON LETTER V 151 U+F8E6 KLINGON LETTER V
152 U+F8E7 KLINGON LETTER W 152 U+F8E7 KLINGON LETTER W
153 U+F8E8 KLINGON LETTER Y 153 U+F8E8 KLINGON LETTER Y
154 U+F8E9 KLINGON LETTER GLOTTAL STOP 154 U+F8E9 KLINGON LETTER GLOTTAL STOP
155 155
156 U+F8F0 KLINGON DIGIT ZERO 156 U+F8F0 KLINGON DIGIT ZERO
157 U+F8F1 KLINGON DIGIT ONE 157 U+F8F1 KLINGON DIGIT ONE
158 U+F8F2 KLINGON DIGIT TWO 158 U+F8F2 KLINGON DIGIT TWO
159 U+F8F3 KLINGON DIGIT THREE 159 U+F8F3 KLINGON DIGIT THREE
160 U+F8F4 KLINGON DIGIT FOUR 160 U+F8F4 KLINGON DIGIT FOUR
161 U+F8F5 KLINGON DIGIT FIVE 161 U+F8F5 KLINGON DIGIT FIVE
162 U+F8F6 KLINGON DIGIT SIX 162 U+F8F6 KLINGON DIGIT SIX
163 U+F8F7 KLINGON DIGIT SEVEN 163 U+F8F7 KLINGON DIGIT SEVEN
164 U+F8F8 KLINGON DIGIT EIGHT 164 U+F8F8 KLINGON DIGIT EIGHT
165 U+F8F9 KLINGON DIGIT NINE 165 U+F8F9 KLINGON DIGIT NINE
166 166
167 U+F8FD KLINGON COMMA 167 U+F8FD KLINGON COMMA
168 U+F8FE KLINGON FULL STOP 168 U+F8FE KLINGON FULL STOP
169 U+F8FF KLINGON SYMBOL FOR EMPIRE 169 U+F8FF KLINGON SYMBOL FOR EMPIRE
170 ====== ====================================== 170 ====== =======================================================
171 171
172 Other Fictional and Artificial Scripts 172 Other Fictional and Artificial Scripts
173 -------------------------------------- 173 --------------------------------------
174 174
175 Since the assignment of the Klingon Linux Unic 175 Since the assignment of the Klingon Linux Unicode block, a registry of
176 fictional and artificial scripts has been esta 176 fictional and artificial scripts has been established by John Cowan
177 <jcowan@reutershealth.com> and Michael Everson 177 <jcowan@reutershealth.com> and Michael Everson <everson@evertype.com>.
178 The ConScript Unicode Registry is accessible a 178 The ConScript Unicode Registry is accessible at:
179 179
180 https://www.evertype.com/standards/c 180 https://www.evertype.com/standards/csur/
181 181
182 The ranges used fall at the low end of the End 182 The ranges used fall at the low end of the End User Zone and can hence
183 not be normatively assigned, but it is recomme 183 not be normatively assigned, but it is recommended that people who
184 wish to encode fictional scripts use these cod 184 wish to encode fictional scripts use these codes, in the interest of
185 interoperability. For Klingon, CSUR has adopt 185 interoperability. For Klingon, CSUR has adopted the Linux encoding.
186 The CSUR people are driving adding Tengwar and 186 The CSUR people are driving adding Tengwar and Cirth into Unicode
187 Plane 1; the addition of Klingon to Unicode Pl 187 Plane 1; the addition of Klingon to Unicode Plane 1 has been rejected
188 and so the above encoding remains official. 188 and so the above encoding remains official.
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