localeconv sets the components of an object with type
struct lconv (defined in locale.h) with the
values appropriate for the formatting of
numeric quantities (monetary and otherwise) according to the rules of
the current locale [see
setlocale(3C)].
The definition of struct lconv is given
below (the values for the fields in the C locale are given in comments):
The members of the structure with type
char
are strings, any of which (except
decimal_point) can point to ``""'',
to indicate that the value is not available in the current locale
or is of zero length.
The members with type
char
are nonnegative numbers, any of which can be
CHAR_MAX (defined in the limits.h header file)
to indicate that the value is not available in the current locale.
The members are the following:
char decimal_point
The decimal-point character used to format non-monetary quantities.
char thousands_sep
The character used to separate groups of digits
to the left of the decimal-point character
in formatted non-monetary quantities.
char grouping
A string in which each element is taken as an integer that indicates
the number of digits that comprise the current group in a formatted
non-monetary quantity.
The elements of
grouping
are interpreted according to the following:
CHAR_MAX
No further grouping is to be performed.
0
The previous element is to be repeatedly used
for the remainder of the digits.
other
The value is the number of digits that comprise the current group.
The next element is examined to determine
the size of the next group of digits to the left of the current group.
char int_curr_symbol
The international currency symbol applicable to the current locale,
left-justified within a four-character space-padded field.
The character sequences should match with those specified in:
ISO 4217:1987 Codes for the Representation of Currency and Funds.
char currency_symbol
The local currency symbol applicable to the current locale.
char mon_decimal_point
The decimal point used to format monetary quantities.
char mon_thousands_sep
The separator for groups of digits
to the left of the decimal point
in formatted monetary quantities.
char mon_grouping
A string in which each element is taken as an integer that indicates
the number of digits that comprise the current group in a formatted
monetary quantity.
The elements of
mon_grouping
are interpreted according to the rules described under
grouping.
char positive_sign
The string used to indicate a nonnegative-valued formatted monetary quantity.
char negative_sign
The string used to indicate a negative-valued formatted monetary quantity.
char int_frac_digits
The number of fractional digits
(those to the right of the decimal point)
to be displayed in an internationally formatted monetary quantity.
char frac_digits
The number of fractional digits
(those to the right of the decimal point)
to be displayed in a formatted monetary quantity.
char p_cs_precedes
Set to 1 or 0 if the
currency_symbol
respectively precedes or succeeds the value for
a nonnegative formatted monetary quantity.
char p_sep_by_space
Set to 1 or 0 if the
currency_symbol
respectively is or is not separated by a space from the value
for a nonnegative formatted monetary quantity.
char n_cs_precedes
Set to 1 or 0 if the
currency_symbol
respectively precedes or succeeds the value for
a negative formatted monetary quantity.
char n_sep_by_space
Set to 1 or 0 if the
currency_symbol
respectively is or is not separated by a space from the value
for a negative formatted monetary quantity.
char p_sign_posn
Set to a value indicating the positioning of the
positive_sign
for a nonnegative formatted monetary quantity.
The value of
p_sign_posn
is interpreted according to the following:
0
Parentheses surround the quantity and
currency_symbol.
1
The sign string precedes the quantity and
currency_symbol.
2
The sign string succeeds the quantity and
currency_symbol.
3
currency_symbol.
4
The sign string immediately succeeds the
currency_symbol.
char n_sign_posn
Set to a value indicating the positioning of the
negative_sign
for a negative formatted monetary quantity.
The value of
n_sign_posn
is interpreted according to the rules described under
p_sign_posn.
Files
/usr/lib/locale/locale/LC_MONETARY
LC_MONETARY database for locale
/usr/lib/locale/locale/LC_NUMERIC
LC_NUMERIC database for locale
Return values
localeconv returns a pointer to the filled-in object.
The structure pointed to by the return value may be overwritten
by a subsequent call to localeconv.
Usage
The following table illustrates the rules used by four countries
to format monetary quantities.
Country
Positive format
Negative format
International format
Italy
L.1.234
-L.1.234
ITL.1.234
Netherlands
F 1.234,56
F -1.234,56
NLG 1.234,56
Norway
kr1.234,56
kr1.234,56-
NOK 1.234,56
Switzerland
SFrs.1,234.56
SFrs.1,234.56C
CHF 1,234.56
For these four countries, the respective values for
the monetary members of the structure returned by
localeconv are as follows: