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What's the meaning of "conv" in the function name localeconv() in header <locale.h>?

Yishu Fang
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2 Answers2

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The HP-UX manual pages, summarize the purpose of localeconv() as:

localeconv() - query the numeric formatting conventions of the current locale

The IBM z/VM C library manual describes it similarly:

localeconv() — Query Numeric Conventions

I'm not sure exactly where the origin of this wording was, but a number of sources do appear to agree that it stands for "conventions".

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I believe (but am not 100% positive) that it stands for "conventions," as in the conventions of the current locale you are in for expressing money, numbers, etc.

Hope this helps!

templatetypedef
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  • I think I can agree with you, but if there is a webpage explains the origins of the name? Are there any other functions with the name of "*conv"? – Yishu Fang Feb 09 '13 at 05:19
  • @UniMouS- I just read the C ISO spec and there is no elaboration there. I was hoping to get a definitive reference that way. :-) – templatetypedef Feb 09 '13 at 05:21