Method for culturally predictable key sort within a national language support (nls) data processing system

摘要: Each sortable key within National Language Support (NLS) data processing system is assigned an alphabetic value (30), a diacritic (32), case (34) and special character (36). The various values for the key, are ordered in culturally predictable manner (22) such that subsequent sorts of keys based upon value, will result order. For example, if particular national language implementation requires "" to follow "Z," appropriate selection these characters this ordering. Special situations, as ligatures or other idiosyncratic keys, handled by locating each instance thereof temporarily substituting selected replacement therefore. By assigning alphabetic, diacritic, sort always ordering ligature key.