Name: jk109818 Date: 01/23/2002


FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.4.0-rc"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.0-rc-b91)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.0-rc-b91, mixed mode)

FULL OPERATING SYSTEM VERSION :Linux 2.4.2-2 i686


ADDITIONAL OPERATING SYSTEMS :NONE



EXTRA RELEVANT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
I use an internation keyboard (French Canadian keyboard)
supported by XFree86. I suspect the problem is the same with
any international keyboard.

XFree86 currently in use: 4.0.3-5 (Linux RedHat 7.1)

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
With the French Canadian keyboard, we can't generate keys
such as [, ], { which are usually generated by typing
"altcar" (right alt) with a dead key (appearing as `,[, ]
under a us keyboard).

This works with AWT applications, it only fails with Swing
applications.

This effectively makes non-English Swing applications under
Linux impossible.

This is the same bug as

http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/bugParade/bugs/4371923.html

but I've worked hard to add more useful info.

Note the the bug is misclassified under AWT when it is a
Swing bug! Note also that it doesn't matter whether it is a
German or French or French Canadian keyboard, so you should
say "internation keyboard" instead.

Note that I give precise steps to reproduce the problems,
even with a us keyboard and without knowing anything about
non-us keyboards!!!

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1. setxkbmap ca_enhanced
2. Holding the right alt down and pressing [, you should see
"[" appear. Pressing [ alone does nothing. Pressing [
followed by "space" returns ^ ([ acts as a dead key).

You can verify that this works for all AWT apps and all
Linux apps.

3.Install JDK 1.4 rc
4.cd /usr/java/j2sdk1.4.0/demo/jfc/Notepad
5. /usr/java/j2sdk1.4.0/bin/java -jar Notepad.jar

6. Try typing "right-alt" and "[", you will noticed that
nothing happens.
At this point, Notepad opens but you can't generate [,], {
if you set the keyboard to French Canadian

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
During step 6., I expect "[" to come up in the text pane of
Notepad.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
I'm not sure they are relevant, but here's what appears when I launch a Swing app.

Warning: Cannot convert string "<Key>Escape,_Key_Cancel" to type VirtualBinding
Warning: Cannot convert string "<Key>Home,_Key_Begin" to type VirtualBinding
Warning: Cannot convert string "<Key>F1,_Key_Help" to type VirtualBinding
Warning: Cannot convert string "Shift<Key>F10,_Key_Menu" to type VirtualBinding
Warning: Cannot convert string "<Key>F10,Shift_Key_Menu" to type VirtualBinding
Warning: Cannot convert string "<Key>KP_Enter,_Key_Execute" to type VirtualBinding
Warning: Cannot convert string "Alt<Key>Return,Alt_Key_KP_Enter" to type
VirtualBinding

This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
import javax.swing.*;

public class SwingTest {
  public static void main( String[] args ) {
    JFrame f = new JFrame();
    f.getContentPane().add( new JTextField( 40 ) );
    f.pack();
    f.show();
  }
}


---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER WORKAROUND :
Switch temporarily to a US keyboard (by typing 'setxkbmap
us', for example - and 'setxkbmap ca' to come back to French
for instance.

Unfortunately, this effectively deactivate the international
keyboard and makes typing in non-English languages very
difficult (can't generate accents such as à, é, ...).
(Review ID: 138669)
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