4.1.3 Input-Method Server

An input-method server (IM server) acts as the interface between input methods and applications as shown in Figure 4-4.

Figure 4-4 Input-method server

The IM server can support multiple language engines and provides user control over language-engine preferences, such as:

• Method of displaying status string when the portion of the string under consideration for conversion loses input focus.

• Number of rows and columns in the input conversion candidate pop-up window.

• Whether input conversion candidate selection window is displayed.

Many X toolkit-based applications automatically use the IM server for Asian text input. If you use any of Sun's toolkits (Motif, XViewTM, or OLIT), the input/output conversion process is transparent to the application.