IME (Input Method Editor) Usage in Windows 95

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Win32 Software Development Kit (SDK) for Japanese Windows 95

SUMMARY

IMEs (Input Method Editors) are dynamic-link libraries that allow users to type complex ideographic characters using a standard keyboard. IMEs are available in Asian versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system, and help minimize the effort needed by users to enter text containing characters from Unicode and double-byte character sets (DBCS). IMEs relieve users of the need to remember all possible character values. Instead, IMEs monitor the user's keystrokes, anticipate the character the user may want, and present a list of candidate characters from which to choose.

MORE INFORMATION

Asian versions of Windows 3.1 and Windows NT each have a separate IME application programming interface (API). However, these APIs have been merged into a single API for Windows 95.

Applications for Far East versions of Windows 95 can choose from three levels of IME support:

1. IME-unaware: Merely retrieves double-byte characters through two WM_CHAR messages.

2. IME-aware: Takes control of the IME module's default user interface and properly handles Kanji strings passed to it by the IME.

3. Fully IME-aware: Controls the entire process of composing characters, including the display of intermediate keystrokes, and can customize the IME user interface.