Implementations
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 characters with diacritics is also called an input method. On Windows XP or later Microsoft Windows, Windows, Input method, or IME, are also called ''Text Input Processor'', which are implemented by the Text Services Framework API.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, 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 keys. *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 or Smart Common Input Method, SCIM prefer the term of ''Input Method Engine'', ''Input Method platform'' or ''Input Method environment'', or the actual ''editing area'' that allows the user to do the input. It can also 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.See also
*Internationalization and localization *CJK charactersRelated techniques
*Alt codes *Keyboard layout, in particular ''dead keys''Input methods versus language
*Chinese input methods for computers *Japanese language and computers and Japanese input methods *Korean language and computers *Vietnamese language and computers *Help:Multilingual support (Indic), Indic scripts input methods for languages used in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Central Asia and East Asia.Specific input methods
*List of input methods for Unix platforms *ATOK, and Microsoft Windows#Multilingual support, MS IME for Windows *Tise—Tibetan IM for Windows *WnnInput methods for handheld devices
*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. *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). *iTap—Similar to first-generation T9, with word autocomplete. *LetterWise—"Hit the key with the letter you want, if it doesn't come up, hit Next until it does." *FITALY An array, almost square, which minimizes distance traveled 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 *Graffiti (Palm OS), Graffiti, the Palm OS input method, entered using a stylus *Pouces, an input method using touches and swipesVirtual keyboards
*Fleksy—Eyes-free touch typing for touchscreen devices, also used by blind / visually impaired people. *SwiftKey—context-sensitive word-prediction *Swype, an input method that uses swiping gestures instead of tapping to quickly enter text *Gboard, the keyboard that comes bundled with the Android operating systemReferences
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