Author: Peter G. Baum
Keywords: gnocl, Tcl, gtk, gnome

## percent string

A percent string is a string which is not used literally but first processed before use if it starts with a percent sign '%'. What kind of processing is done depends on the the percent sign following character. This processing possibly changes also other aspects of a widget (e.g. not only sets the text of a menu item but also adds a icon and a shortcut).

The following percent prefixes are used in this gnocl version. Others are reserved for future use.

%% | Percent sign and rest of string without change.
%! | Rest of string without change.
%_ | Rest of string with the first underline character '_' removed and the following character underlined and used as accelerator.
%# | The rest of the string with first underline character removed is used as identifier for a standard widget or icon. For a menu item the icon and shortcut is used. The string is used as text with the character after the first underline character underlined and used as accelerator.
%/ | Rest of string is used as file name (e.g. for use in the toolbar widget to load an icon).

Note: in future versions translations will be handled through percent strings.

The idea behind the percent string is to bundle all information in one place. This is especially usefull if text with accelerators are translated, e.g. "_Open" is `Open` with 'o' as accelerator. If the string "_Open" is mapped to "Ö_ffnen" for german language, the widget becomes `Öffnen` with 'f' as accelerator if this language is chosen.

### Examples

"%% a percent" | -> | "% a percent"
"%!_li_te_ral" | -> | "_li_te_ral"
"%#Q_uit" | -> | for a menu item: "Quit" + accelerator 'u' + standard shortcut + standard icon
"%__File" | -> | for a menu item: "File" + accelerator 'f'

Copyright © 2001 P. G. Baum