Microsoft KB Archive/196280

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INFO: Limitations of Terminal Fonts

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Q196280

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows 98
 * Microsoft Windows 95
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

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SUMMARY
The MS-DOS command window uses a set of Terminal fonts. Applications developed for Windows should not rely on these fonts.

MORE INFORMATION
The command Window on a Win32 platform uses Terminal-like fonts to present its output in windowed mode. In Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT the Terminal font resources load at startup.

If your applications benefit from Terminal-like fonts, you may try to use Terminal fonts out of convenience. However, it is important to realize that these fonts are shipped specifically for use by the command prompt. The standard Windows fonts are guaranteed to be available in future versions of Windows; such guarantees do not apply to the Terminal fonts. The Terminal fonts have actually been altered between Windows version 3.0, version 3.1, and Windows 95, and Windows NT.

NOTE: Per the operating system license agreement, you may not ship these fonts with your application.

For applications running exclusively under Microsoft Windows or Windows NT, although you may want to rely on the Terminal fonts for the applications' displays, the exact sizes of Terminal fonts vary as the screen resolution and display mode change.

Instead, you may want to use the MS LineDraw TrueType font. This font offers the same set of glyphs as the Terminal fonts but is a scaleable typeface that can be licensed for distribution with applications. For further information on the MS LineDraw TrueType font, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  ARTICLE-ID: Q150641   TITLE     : HOW TO: License the MS LineDraw TrueType Font

Alternatively, you can create your own raster fonts to support your terminal application by using the FontEdit.exe tool supplied with the Platform SDK.