Consider converting from `wchar_t` to `char32_t`, everywhere. #18

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opened 2026-03-30 14:25:14 +00:00 by simon · 0 comments

simon commented

2026-03-30 14:25:14 +00:00

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So far I've used wchar_t as the C type for characters, everywhere. The meaning of this is ambiguous; it may be interpreted as meaning 16 bits, or 32 bits. I have allowed 32 bits, everywhere.

Today I learned that there's an alternative definition, char32_t, which is unambiguously 32 bit.

This is currently only defined (as far as I can see) in headers intended for use with C++, but it might be worth using.

So far I've used wchar_t as the C type for characters, everywhere. The meaning of this is ambiguous; it may be interpreted as meaning 16 bits, or 32 bits. I have allowed 32 bits, everywhere. Today I learned that there's an alternative definition, `char32_t`, which is unambiguously 32 bit. This is currently only defined (as far as I can see) in headers intended for use with C++, but it might be worth using.