- From: Russ Rolfe <rrolfe@windows.microsoft.com>
- Date: Mon, 5 May 2003 13:42:56 -0700
- To: <ishida@w3.org>, <public-i18n-geo@w3.org>
Richard,
Here is my question as promised Let me know what we need to do next.
Regards, Russ
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Question:
As part of a form, I have a list of terms in a drop-down box. Why are they not correctly sorted when I translate the items in the list?
Answer:
Although many programming languages have devices like drop-down boxes that have the capability of sorting a list of items before displaying them as part of their functionality. The HTML <select> function has no such capabilities. It will list the <options> in the order received. Thus one must manually pre-sort their translated options before presenting them to the client.
For example, lets say we have a pull-down list for types of pets. In the list, we have the following in alphabetical order:
<form .....>
<select size="1" name="pet">
<option> cat </option>
<option> dog </option>
<option> mouse </option>
</select>
...
...
</form>
When this is translated to Dutch, the list becomes
<form .....>
<select size="1" name="pet">
<option> kat </option>
<option> hond </option>
<option> muis </option>
</select>
...
...
</form>
But for it to be in correct Dutch alphabetical order we will need to re-arrange to list to:
<form .....>
<select size="1" name="pet">
<option> hond</option>
<option> kat </option>
<option> muis </option>
</select>
...
...
</form>
This must be done for each language to be displayed.
Received on Monday, 5 May 2003 16:43:05 UTC