# DBCS for 3270 and 5250 | WND Software Docs

Source: https://wndsoftware.com/docs/japanese-chinese-korean

### Japanese, Chinese and Korean (double-byte)

Double-byte code pages for mainframe and IBM i sessions, so CICS, IMS, TSO, ISPF and IBM i applications show and take kanji, hanzi and hangul.

Pick the code page under Characters  on the connect page. WND Terminal supports 930, 939, 1390, 1399, 935, 1388, 937, 1371, 933 and 1364 on mainframe (3270) and IBM i (5250) sessions, with DBCS and SO/SI mixed fields, SO and SI put in as you type, and the computer’s own input method.

On a small screen, swipe the table to read all columns.


| Language | Host code pages | Sessions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Japanese | 930 and 939 (Katakana and Latin; IBM’s 5026 and 5035 are the same), and 1390 and 1399 with the euro sign and more kanji | Mainframe (3270) and IBM i (5250) |
| Simplified Chinese | 935, and 1388 with GBK | Mainframe (3270) and IBM i (5250) |
| Traditional Chinese | 937, and 1371 with the euro sign | Mainframe (3270) and IBM i (5250) |
| Korean | 933 and 1364 | Mainframe (3270) and IBM i (5250) |

These code pages mix single-byte characters with double-byte ones (kanji, hanzi and hangul). Pick one under Characters  on the connect page, where they are listed under Double-byte, or have IT set it for everyone with `CodePage` or on each connection. Sessions imported from PCOMM and Reflection bring their code page. They work in the desktop app and in WND Terminal in a browser.


### On a mainframe

Mainframe sessions work the way PCOMM, Host On-Demand, Reflection and x3270 do. The terminal type stays the usual one, such as IBM-3278-2-E. The reply to the host’s query says the terminal handles double-byte text (IBM’s DBCS-Asia reply, with the code page’s numbers), so CICS, IMS, TSO and ISPF send Japanese, Chinese or Korean.

- The screen.  Double-byte characters are drawn once, two positions wide. Text between SO and SI is read, with each shift character shown as a blank in a position of its own. DBCS fields and double-byte text the host marks with Set Attribute are read too. The cursor never stops on the second half of a character.
- DBCS fields  take only double-byte characters. Letters and digits typed there go in as their full-width forms.
- Mixed fields , where the host allows SO/SI creation (CICS BMS `SOSI=YES`, ISPF’s mixed fields), take both kinds. WND Terminal puts in the SO and SI as you type, overtype, insert, delete or erase, and never splits a character.
- Other fields  take only single-byte characters. When a character is refused, the status line says why.
- What goes to the host  has SO and SI paired and whole characters only.

One difference from x3270 is on purpose. x3270 fills an empty DBCS field with DBCS spaces and sends them. WND Terminal leaves the field empty, so the host gets only what was typed, as for any other field.


### On IBM i

5250 sessions handle DBCS-only, either, open and graphic fields as IBM i defines them, with characters drawn two positions wide. See [IBM i (5250)](https://wndsoftware.com/ibm-i).


### Typing, copying and the rest

People type with the computer’s own input method (IME), and pasting works too. Copying, macros, the automation API, Modern view, masking, session recordings and Explain this screen all read the characters, without the SO and SI positions.


### How it’s checked

We compare screens and keystrokes with x3270 for 930, 939, 935 and 937, and run a test mainframe in every code page above, checking the query reply and every byte the host gets back.


### IT settings

On a small screen, swipe the table to read all columns.


| Setting | Group Policy name | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `CodePage` | Mainframe character set (code page) | The default code page, such as 930 or 937. A connection can name its own, such as `"CodePage": 939` or `\|cp939` on a connection line. |


### Related

[Arabic, Hebrew and Thai Right-to-left and Thai code pages. Read →](https://wndsoftware.com/docs/arabic-hebrew-thai)
[Policy settings CodePage and the other settings. Read →](https://wndsoftware.com/docs/policy-settings)
[IBM i (5250) Full 5250 in WND Terminal. Read →](https://wndsoftware.com/ibm-i)

### Questions


#### Does WND Terminal support double-byte on the mainframe, or only on IBM i?

Both. The Japanese, Chinese and Korean code pages work in 3270 and 5250 sessions, in the desktop app and in a browser.


#### Do people have to type SO and SI themselves?

No. In a mixed field, WND Terminal puts in the SO and SI as people type, insert or delete, and never splits a character.


#### Will CICS and ISPF send Japanese to WND Terminal?

Yes. The terminal tells the host it handles double-byte text in its reply to the host’s query, as IBM’s emulators do, so CICS, IMS, TSO and ISPF send Japanese, Chinese or Korean.


#### Can people use their usual input method?

Yes. Typing goes through the operating system’s input method, and pasted text goes in the same way.

Technical reviewer: [Albert Joseph](https://wndsoftware.com/authors/albert-joseph), WND Software.