Input method: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Typing 있습니다 in Dubeolsik keyboard layout.gif|thumb|An animation shows how an input method produces [[Korean language and computers|Korean texts]].]]

An '''input method''' (or '''input method editor''', commonly abbreviated '''IME''') is an [[operating system]] component or program that enables users to generate characters not natively available on their [[Inputinput device|input devices]]s by using sequences of characters (or mouse operations) that are available to them. Using an input method is usually necessary for languages that have more [[Grapheme|graphemesgrapheme]]s than there are keys on the keyboard.

For instance, on the computer, this allows the user of [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[Keyboard layout|keyboards]] to input [[Chinese characters|Chinese]], [[Japanese writing system|Japanese]], [[Hangul|Korean]] and [[Indic script|Indic]] characters. On hand-held devices, it enables the user to type on the [[Telephone keypad|numeric keypad]] to enter [[Latin alphabet|Latin alphabet characters]] (or any other alphabet characters) or touch a screen display to input text. On some operating systems, an input method is also used to define the behavior of the [[Deaddead key|dead keys]]s.

==Implementations==

[[File:Swarachakra keyboard.png|thumb|Screenshot of [[Swarachakra]], aan input method producing [[Indic scripts]].]]

{{expand section|date=January 2011}}

Although originally coined for [[CJK]] (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) computing, the term is now sometimes used generically to refer to a program to support the input of any language. To illustrate, in the [[X Window System]], the facility to allow the input of [[Latin character]]s with [[diacritic]]s is also called an input method.

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==Relationship between the methodology and implementation==

While the term ''input method editor'' was originally used for [[Microsoft Windows#Multilingual support|Microsoft Windows]], its use has now gained acceptance in other operating systems{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}, especially when it is important to distinguish between the [[Interface (computer science)|computer interface]] and implementation of input methods, or among the input methods themselves, the editing functionality of the program or operating system component providing the input method, and the general support of input methods in an operating system. This term has, for example, gained general acceptance on the Linux operating system and [[Android (operating system)|Android]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=Create an input method {{!}} Views |url=https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/touch-and-input/creating-input-method |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Android Developers |language=en}}</ref> it is also used on the[[macOS]].<ref>{{Cite Macweb OS|title=InputMethodKit |url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/inputmethodkit |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Apple Developer Documentation |language=en-US}}</ref>

*The term ''input method'' generally refers to a particular way to use the keyboard to input a particular language, for example the [[Cangjie method]], the [[pinyin method]], or the use of [[dead key]]s.

*On the other hand, the term ''input method editor'' on Microsoft products refers to the program that allows an input method to be used (for example MS New Pinyin), or the ''editing area'' that allows the user to do the input. It can also <!-- apparently --> refer to a character palette, which allows any Unicode character to be input individually. One might also interpret IME to refer to the editor used for creating or modifying the data files upon which an input method relies.

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==See also==

* {{anliannotated link|CJK characters}}

* {{anliannotated link|Internationalization and localization}}

* {{anliannotated link|Unicode input#Techniques}}

===Related techniques===

* {{anliannotated link|Alt codes}}

* {{anliannotated link|Handwriting recognition}}

* {{anliannotated link|Keyboard layout}}, in particular ''[[dead keys]]''

===Input methods versus language===

*{{anliannotated link|Chinese input method}}

*{{anliannotated link|Japanese language and computers}}

**{{anliannotated link|Japanese input method}}

*[[Korean language and computers]]

*[[Vietnamese language and computers]]

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===Specific input methods===

*[[List of input methods for Unix platforms]]

*{{anliannotated link|ATOK}}

* {{anliannotated link|Microsoft Windows#Multilingual support}} MS IME for Windows

*{{anliannotated link|Tise}}

*{{anliannotated link|Wnn}}

===Input methods for handheld devices===

* {{anliannotated link|Multi-tap}} —Used on many mobile telephones—hit the (combined alphanumeric) key for the letter you want until it comes up, then wait or proceed with a different key.

*{{anliannotated link|T9 (predictive text)|T9}}/[[XT9]]—Type the key for every letter once, then, if needed, type Next until the right word comes up. May also correct misspellings and regional typos (if an adjacent key is pressed incorrectly).

*{{anliannotated link|iTap}} —Similar to first-generation T9, with word [[autocomplete]].

*{{anliannotated link|LetterWise}}—Hit the key with the letter you want, if it doesn't come up, hit Next until it does.

*{{anliannotated link|FITALY}} (An array, almost square, which minimizes distance travelled from one letter to another.)

*[[MessagEase]], an input method optimized for the most common letters, that can enter hundreds of characters with single hand motions

*[[8pen]], an input method using circular swipes in an attempt to mimic hand movements

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}}

</ref>

*{{anliannotated link|Swype}}, an input method that uses swiping gestures instead of tapping to quickly enter text

*{{anliannotated link|Gboard}}, the keyboard that comes bundled with the Android operating system

==References==

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==External links==

{{CommonscatCommons category|Input Methods}}

*[http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=30390 Microsoft Input Method Editors (IMEs) for Chinese, Japanese and Korean]

*[http://www.bhashaindia.com/ BhashaIndia], the Microsoft portal for Indic languages, which has Indic IME for download.