Transcoding and Translation Tables

Specifying LOCALE= or ENCODING= indirectly sets the appropriate translation-table values in the TRANTAB= option. Translation tables are used for transcoding one SBCS encoding to another and back again. For example, there is a specific translation table that maps Windows Latin2 to ISO Latin2.

The following figure shows a translation table. The area of a translation table for mapping from Windows Latin 2 (wlt2) to ISO Latin 2 (lat2) is named "table 1," and the area for mapping characters from ISO Latin 2 to Windows Latin 2 is named "table 2."

SAS Windows Latin 2 to ISO Latin 2 Translation Table

The LOCALE= or ENCODING= system option and other encoding options (to statements, commands, or procedures) eliminates the need to directly create or manage translation tables.

CAUTION:

Do not change a translation table unless you are familiar with its purpose.

Translation tables are used internally by the SAS supervisor to implement NLS. If you are unfamiliar with the purpose of translation tables, do not change the specifications without proper technical advice.

The TRANTAB= option specifies the translation table to be used in the SAS session. For details, see TRANTAB= System Option. The TRANTAB procedure is used to create, edit, and display customized translation tables. For details, see TRANTAB Procedure.