Input method: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:11, 2 December 2022

Revision as of 21:27, 7 January 2023

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==Relationship between the methodology and implementation==

While the term ''input method editor'' was originally used for [[Microsoft Windows#Multilingual support: IMEs and LIPs|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; it is also used on the Mac OS.

*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 actual program that allows an input method to be used (for example MS New Pinyin). [[Predictive Input Method|PRIME]]{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}} or [[Smart Common Input Method|SCIM]] prefer the term of ''Input Method Engine'', ''Input Method platform'' or ''Input Method environment'',{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}} or the actual ''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.