System and method for national language support

In a data processing system, a method for processing language-dependent data objects, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a plurality of language drivers for supplying appropriate language-dependent processing for each data object;
• (b) selecting a preferred one of the language drivers for operating a session of the system;
• and
• (c) for a data object created or modified by the system, storing in the data object at least one descriptor for indicating the selected language driver employed.

In a computer system, an improved method for providing locale-dependent processing of data objects, the improvement comprising:

• (a) providing sets of information for processing locale-dependent data objects, each set specifying a particular locale;
• (b) storing within a data object a descriptor for identifying a desired one of the locales;
• and
• (c) processing the data object with a set of information appropriate for the data object by reading its descriptor.

A computer system providing locale-dependent processing of data objects, the system comprising:

• (a) a computer having a processor and a storage device for storing the data objects, said computer capable of operating under different locale configurations, and each data object including a descriptor for specifying a particular locale configuration of the system for the object;
• (b) means for determining the locale configuration of a data object of interest from its descriptor;
• and
• (c) processing means, responsive to said determining means, for providing locale-dependent processing the data object of interest.

A computer system providing appropriate National Language Support (NLS) for data objects created under different NLS configurations, the system comprising:

• (a) a computer having a processor and a means for storing the data objects;
• (b) means for defining a plurality of identifiers for indicating various NLS configurations;
• (c) means for assigning one of said identifiers for indicating a current NLS configuration of the system;
• and
• (d) means for storing the assigned identifier in each data object created or modified by the system, whereby the object includes information indicating a specific NLS configuration of the system when the object is created or modified.