Cause: Printer driver doesn't support Arabic script.
Solution: Export report to PDF first using SRW2PDF (Oracle Reports 6i patch required). Then print PDF.
For production use with Urdu and complex Arabic, upgrade to a modern Oracle Forms version (12c/21c) with full Unicode support. Developer 6i was not designed for bidirectional complex scripts and will always have limitations in shaping, cursor movement, and line breaking for Urdu.
If you must use 6i, stick to AR8MSWIN1256 and avoid mixing Arabic/Urdu with Latin text in the same field. Use separate fields for RTL vs LTR content.
Configuring legacy environments like Oracle Developer 6i to work with Oracle Database 10g for Arabic and Urdu support requires precise alignment between the database character set, the client-side registry, and font configurations. 1. Database Server Configuration
For bilingual support (English with Arabic/Urdu), the database must use a character set that supports these scripts. Recommended Character Sets:
AR8MSWIN1256: Best for standard Arabic/Urdu support on Windows.
UTF8 or AL32UTF8: Most flexible for modern multi-language environments.
Verification: Run SELECT * FROM nls_database_parameters; to check your current NLS_CHARACTERSET.
Modification: If your database already contains data, changing the character set is complex. For a fresh setup, you can use: ALTER DATABASE CHARACTER SET AR8MSWIN1256; Use code with caution.
Note: Direct updates to sys.props$ are strongly discouraged by Oracle Support as they can corrupt the database. 2. Client-Side Registry Settings (Developer 6i)
The NLS_LANG parameter in the Windows registry tells the Developer 6i runtime how to interpret data from the database. Open regedit.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE (or HOME0 for specific 6i installations). Set the NLS_LANG value to: Arabic: AMERICAN_AMERICA.AR8MSWIN1256. Cause : Printer driver doesn't support Arabic script
Urdu: Some users report success with the same Arabic character set (AR8MSWIN1256) or UTF8 if correctly mapped. 3. OS and Font Settings
Even with correct database settings, the OS must be able to render the script. Writing Urdu or Arabic in Oracle Forms 6i
Important Note: Oracle Developer 6i is very old (circa 2000s) and was not fully Unicode-compliant. Oracle Database 10g is also desupported. The settings below represent the best possible legacy configuration for Arabic/Urdu support.
The database character set should be one of the following:
Below are concise, actionable steps to configure Oracle 10g and Developer/Forms 6i so Arabic and Urdu (right-to-left, complex-script) text displays, stores, and processes correctly.
If you want, I can produce:
Oracle Database 10g Developer 6i Settings for Arabic Urdu Support: A Comprehensive Review
As a developer working with Oracle Database 10g and Developer 6i, I was thrilled to dive into the settings required for supporting Arabic and Urdu languages. The need for globalization and localization is becoming increasingly important in today's interconnected world. In this review, I'll share my experience with configuring Oracle Database 10g Developer 6i to support Arabic and Urdu.
The Challenge
Setting up Oracle Database 10g Developer 6i for Arabic and Urdu support can be a daunting task, especially for developers who are new to working with Unicode characters and RTL (Right-to-Left) languages. The process requires careful configuration of various components, including the database, Developer 6i, and the operating system.
The Solution
After thorough research and hands-on experimentation, I was able to successfully configure Oracle Database 10g Developer 6i to support Arabic and Urdu. Here are the key settings and steps that worked for me:
The Outcome
After implementing these settings, I was able to successfully display and manipulate Arabic and Urdu text in my Oracle Database 10g Developer 6i applications. The text was rendered correctly, and the RTL language support worked as expected.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Conclusion
In conclusion, configuring Oracle Database 10g Developer 6i for Arabic and Urdu support requires careful attention to detail and a good understanding of the underlying components. With the right settings and configuration, developers can successfully create applications that support these languages. While the process can be challenging, the outcome is well worth the effort, enabling developers to create globalized applications that cater to a broader audience.
Rating: 4.5/5
Overall, I would rate my experience with configuring Oracle Database 10g Developer 6i for Arabic and Urdu support as 4.5 out of 5. While the process was complex, the outcome was well worth the effort, and I'm confident that this configuration will serve as a solid foundation for my future development projects.
Configuring Oracle Database 10g and Developer 6i for Arabic and Urdu support requires aligning the Character Set For production use with Urdu and complex Arabic,
across the database, the client registry, and the operating system. Oracle Forums 1. Database Character Set Configuration
To store and retrieve Arabic or Urdu characters without them turning into question marks, the database must use a compatible character set. Oracle Forums Writing Urdu or Arabic in Oracle Forms 6i
In (Win95/NT/2000 client ) by using the blow details . Title : NLS Setting for Oracle Environment: ------------------------------- Oracle Forums how to change Default language? - Oracle Forums
Critical Note: Developer 6i was released before Unicode became standard. It uses ASCII and code pages (character sets). It does not fully support UTF-8 for display in all controls, but you can store and retrieve Arabic/Urdu text if configured correctly.
Set these before launching Developer 6i tools:
SET NLS_LANG=ARABIC_EGYPT.AR8MSWIN1256
SET NLS_DATE_FORMAT=DD/MM/YYYY
SET NLS_SORT=ARABIC
SET LANG=ar_EG
For Urdu (if supported on OS):
SET LANG=ur_PK
SET NLS_LANG=ARABIC_PAKISTAN.AR8MSWIN1256
Ideally, for a dedicated Arabic/Urdu system using Developer 6i, the database character set should be AR8MSWIN1256.
Note: If your database is strictly AL32UTF8, you may need to rely heavily on the NLS_LANG settings in the next step to force the conversion, but native support is always more stable.
Set the NLS_LANG environment variable/registry key to match database character set.
Format: NLS_LANG = LANGUAGE_TERRITORY.CHARACTER_SET
For Arabic:
NLS_LANG = ARABIC_EGYPT.AR8MSWIN1256
For Urdu (using Arabic locale):
NLS_LANG = ARABIC_EGYPT.AR8MSWIN1256
Location (Windows Registry):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\KEY_Dev6iHome\NLS_LANG
(or under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Oracle)