Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Development:
Internationalizing Applications

> ## Distinguishing characters, bytes, and columns

> To process multi-byte characters correctly, you need to understand the difference between characters, columns, and bytes:

> - Characters are symbols in a code page, each of which is assigned a numeric value.

> - Bytes are units of storage, each consisting of eight bits.

> - Columns are units of width, indicating how much width a symbol requires on the monitor or on a printed report.

> To clarify, examine Table 8–4, which shows two characters, one single-byte and one double-byte, and the byte and column count of each.

> Table 8–4: Byte count and column count
> Character | Number of bytes | Number of columns
> --- | --- | ---
> A | 1 | 1
> | 2 | 2

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