Input Modes and Type Codes

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Input Modes and Type Codes

Go back and read the topics beginning with More Complex than a Word Processor(4- 1) to get a basic understanding of how the type rules(4- 2) and object type codes(D- - 5) work.

Each text byte, character, or keystroke in a Smart Characters document is part of a larger block of text which has a specific object type(4- 2) determined by its object type code.

Objects display a character, syllable, word, or phrase. The Format Annotations(3- 23) dialog sets how different type objects are displayed in various styles or hidden (not displayed).

Entering an object type code(D- - 5) changes the input mode directly, but also has the effect of changing the object type(4- 2) of the following text. If you wish to enter object type codes(5- 11) directly from the keyboard (for speed), make sure that the insertion point is not in the middle of an existing text object, otherwise you will inadvertently change the text following the insertion point. This feature is used to change from hiragana to katakana, or English to notes, etc. See Changing the Object Type(5- 7).

Working with Codes

Since Smart Characters saves your keystrokes, but displays them as Chinese characters or kana, sometimes you can make a mess by accidentally deleting an object type code(D- - 5), or inadvertently inserting one in the wrong place. See Typewriter Key Behavior(5- 6). If this happens, first try to recover using Edit | UnDo (press Ctrl+Z). Otherwise, you can delete the incorrectly displaying text, and re-type the text. Alternatively, you can analyze and fix the incorrectly displaying text by using the Show Codes(3- 8) command to reveal the text objects, and re- inserting or deleting the offending object type code.

Changing the Object Type

An object type(4- 2) can be changed by changing the object's object type code(D- - 5):

If necessary, set Format Annotations(3- 23) to display the object In-line.
Position the insertion point before the existing object type code(5- 11).
Press Alt+Right to move one byte to the right to just after the original code, and type the new code just after the original code. Smart Characters will automatically delete the original code, leaving the redefined object, or,
Alternatively, type the new code first, then press LeftShift+Delete to delete the original code.
Select View Redraw Line(3- 6) to redraw the line.

Removing Redundant Codes

A redundant code is one without effect (e.g., not followed by any text). Smart Characters will remove redundant codes automatically after you move the insertion point from the line. Generally, if two object type codes are adjacent, the first one types a null object and can be deleted. In the example ^EHe would ^W^Xd&4^R..., the ^W has no effect because it is followed immediately by a ^X. Two exceptions exist:

One exception is in the case of an alphabetic object type code, such as in ^Wk^W^R1234 where a hiragana code(5- 9) (^W) is immediately prior to a Chinese character (started here by the ^R characters code(5- 9)). The hiragana code acts as an empty place holder for missing pronunciation data. If it were deleted, the prior word (^Wk, the hiragana no) would become furigana, which would be incorrect. If you inadvertently delete such a place holder, just restore it.
The other exception is the notes code(5- 8) (^D) which functions as a word separator. Single empty notes objects are not removed.

The View Show Codes(3- 8) command creates a window that displays the Ascii codes near the insertion point, which is handy for removing redundant or unwanted codes.

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Last Modified: March 23, 1996