Question

There is a 3rd lib only accept char* filename e.g. 3rdlib_func_name(char* file_name). Every things get wrong when I provide a filename in Chinese or Japanese.

Is there any way to make this lib open UNICODE filename? The program is running on Windows.

Thanks for your reply.

Answer 1

We has a similar problem too. Luckily there’s a solution, though it’s kinda tricky.

If the file/directory already exists – you may use the GetShortPathName function. The resulting “short” path name is guaranteed not to contain non-latin characters.

1. Call GetShortPathNameW (unicode version) to get the “short” path string.
2. Convert the short path into the ANSI string (use WideCharToMultiByte).
3. Give the resulting ANSI string to the stupid 3rd-party lib.

Now, if the file/directory doesn’t exist yet – you may not obtain its short pathname. In such a case you should create it first.