khim(n) Kevin's Hacky Input Method khim(n)______________________________________________________________________________NAMEkhim - Provides key bindings for entering international characters on a
keyboard that does not support them
SYNOPSIS
package require Tcl
package require khim ?1.0?
::khim::getOptions path
::khim::getConfig
::khim::setConfig version enabled compose map
::khim::showHelp path
_________________________________________________________________DESCRIPTION
This package provides a set of key bindings to allow a user to enter
arbitrary characters on a keyboard that does not support them. It
works by designating some seldom-used key of the keyboard as a "Com‐
pose" key (this key is distinct from any key so labeled, and is often
"Pause," "F12" or "L2"), and having the "Compose" key, followed by a
two-key sequence, have the effect of inserting some character in a wid‐
get. In addition, the "Compose" key, when struck twice in succession,
brings up a dialog containing a Unicode character map, allowing arbi‐
trary characters to be inserted.
The vast bulk of the package's functionality is implemented in a single
bindtag, KHIM. An application can request that any text or entry wid‐
get use the package to allow for entry of arbitrary characters by plac‐
ing this binding tag ahead of the Text or Entry binding tag for the
widget:
text .t -width 80 -height 24
bindtags .t {.t KHIM Text . all}
Note that the KHIM tag must precede the Text or Entry class binding, or
the package will not function correctly.
PROCEDURES
In addition to commands supporting the KHIM binding tag, the following
commands are exported from the package:
::khim::getOptions path
Posts a top-level modal dialog with the path name path that
prompts the user for KHIM options. The user is allowed to
reconfigure the key sequences for the "Compose" key, change the
choice of key to use for the "Compose" function, and enable/dis‐
able the KHIM key bindings entirely.
::khim::getConfig
Returns a Tcl script that restores the current configuration of
KHIM: the enabled/disabled state, the choice of "Compose" key,
and the key sequences that may be composed. This script is
designed to be saved to a configuration file for use in a subse‐
quent invocation of the same application:
# Save KHIM configuration
set f [open ~/.khimrc w]
puts $f [::khim::getConfig]
close $f
# Restore KHIM configuration
source ~/.khimrc
::khim::setConfig version enabled compose map
Restores an earlier saved configuration. Few, if any, applica‐
tions will call this command in any other way than to evaluate
it as returned from ::khim::getConfig.
::khim::showHelp path
Displays a top-level dialog giving user-level help for KHIM; the
dialog will have the path name path.
LOCALISATION
Programmers who wish to make KHIM available in a non-English-speaking
locale may do so by providing a .msg file with the appropriate
localised text. The catalog requires the following messages:
Apply Text that will appear on the "Apply" button in the dialog that
sets KHIM options.
Cancel Text that will appear on the "Cancel" button in several dialogs.
Change Text that will appear on the "Change" button, which alters the
binding of a pair of composed characters (creating or replacing
as appropriate).
Character
Text that will appear on the label of the entry widget that
accepts a character resulting from a composed sequence.
{Compose Key}
Window title for a dialog that prompts the user to strike the
key that will be used for the "Compose" key.
{Compose key:}
Label that identifies a component showing the "Compose" key
choice in the KHIM options dialog.
{Composed sequence must be two characters long}
Error message that is displayed if the user attempts to define a
"Compose" sequence that is shorter or longer than two charac‐
ters.
Delete Text for a button that deletes a "Compose" sequence.
Help...
Text for a button that displays the KHIM user help dialog.
HELPTEXT
Complete text for the user-level help for KHIM. Refer to
"en.msg" for the English-language version of the help.
{Input key sequence}
Text for a label of the entry widget that prompts the user for a
two-character sequence to use with the "Compose" key.
{Insert Character}
Window title of the dialog box that displays a Unicode character
map and prompts the user to select a character to insert.
{Key sequences}
Text for a label at the head of a listbox showing the composed
sequences that are currently bound.
{KHIM Controls}
Window title for the dialog box that prompts for KHIM settings.
{KHIM Help}
Window title for the window that display help text for KHIM.
OK Label for the OK button on several dialogs.
Select code page:
Label for a spinbox that prompts the user for a Unicode code
page number.
SELECT COMPOSE KEY
A message, which should be composed in short lines, prompting
the user to press the key that will become the "Compose" key in
KHIM.
Unicode...
Text for a button that brings up the character map to select the
character to which a composed sequence binds.
{Use KHIM}
Text for a checkbutton that asks whether the user wishes to use
KHIM to manage composed key sequences.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
KHIM was originally inspired by the key bindings that Brent Welch
developed for the 'sedit' editor used in the 'exmh' mail user agent.
The code for KHIM is entirely separate from that for 'sedit'.
KEYWORDS
character, i18n, input, international, method
khim 1.0 khim(n)
