# Converting text strings to message lists

The Voice Message service prompt builder contains functions for converting text strings to message lists. The prompt builder enables an application to announce dates, times, numbers, and monetary amounts.

Use the following prompt builder functions to convert text strings to message lists:

To... | Use...
--- | ---
Build a list of message numbers from specified text | vceBuildPromptList
Load a prompt rules table into memory | vceLoadPromptRules
Release resources associated with a prompt rules table | vceUnloadPromptRules

## How the prompt builder works

The prompt builder uses a prompt rules table to determine how text strings translate into voice messages. An associated voice file contains the messages corresponding to these rules. For example, the text string 10 is translated to the voice message ten.

The following illustration shows how the prompt builder works. A text string containing data, such as 11/1/01, is passed to vceBuildPromptList which then builds a list of messages to be played from a standard message library. The output list of message numbers is passed to vcePlayList.

The standard prompt rules table (american.tbl) supplied with the prompt builder can play dates, times, numbers, and dollar amounts. The compiled table and associated voice message file is different for each spoken language supported. Additional phrase types can be supported by adding to the rules provided, or by developing a new set of rules for different spoken languages. Refer to Creating a prompt rules table for information on adding or changing prompt rules.