Chinese input methods for computers
Since the Chinese language uses a logographic script — that is, a script where one or more "characters" corresponds roughly to one "word" or meaning — there are vastly more characters, or glyphs, than there are keys on a standard computer keyboard.
Overview
A variety of keyboard input method editors (IME) have been designed to allow the input of Chinese characters using standard keyboards.
Keyboard input methods can be classified in three main types:
 by encoding
by pronunciation
by structure of the characters.
The following are just some samples of Chinese input methods. Many of those input methods have variations. Full Pinyin and Double Pinyin are variations of the pinyin input method. In addition, the methods which require the user to select a character from a menu generally have sophisticated methods for guessing which characters the user intends based on context.
Each standard has its strengths and weaknesses and usage varies between people. For example, for someone who is already familiar with pinyin, the pinyin method can be learned instantly, and most Mandarin speakers master pronunciation through pinyin. However, the maximum typing rate is limited, and learning the system can be difficult for those not familiar with pinyin. Wubi takes much effort to learn, but expert typists can enter text much faster with it than with the phonetic methods. Because of these factors, there is very little likelihood of a "standard" method evolving.
Other means of entering Chinese characters include handwriting recognition, OCR and voice recognition. The first and last of these usually must be “trained” before use; that is, the user must first use the system in a special “learning mode” so that the system can get accustomed to the user’s handwriting or speech pattern, and failure to do so will increase the recognition error rate. These, especially the latter two, are less frequently used than keyboard-based input methods and, as with even the most advanced English language systems, suffer from relatively high error rates, especially when used without proper “training”, though the error rates are an acceptable trade-off to many users.
Particular mention should be given to handwriting recognition systems: Although mostly associated with stylus- and tablet-based systems, it is in fact one of the built-in input methods in Windows XP systems. Handwriting recognition systems for Chinese are generally far more reliable.
Finally, some systems allow Chinese characters to be entered by typing their equivalent English words.
Pronunciation
Pinyin method (used in mainland China)
Zhuyin (used in Taiwan)
Cantonese phonetic method (used in Hong Kong)
Character structure
Cangjie method (?;?)
Simplified Cangjie (?, known as? on Windows systems)
CKC Chinese Input System
Boshiamy method
Dayi method
Array method
Four corner method (?;?)
Q9 method
Shouwei method
Stroke count method (?;?)
Stroke method (?;?)
Wubi method (?;?)
Wubihua method (?;?)
Zheng code method (?;?)
Shou-wei Hao-ma method
Knot_DNA method
Combination of pronunciation and character structure
Tze-loi method (?;?)
Renzhi code method (?;?)
Image:Keyboard layout Zhuyin.svg|A typical keyboard layout for zhuyin on computers, which can be used as an input method
Image:5strokes.jpg|The Wubi keyboard which is an input method
Image:Keyboard layout Cangjie.png|frame|none|A typical keyboard layout for Cangjie method, which is based on United States keyboard layout. Note the non-standard use of Z as the collision key.
Image:Keyboard layout Dayi.png|frame|none|A typical keyboard layout for Dayi method
Image:Keyboard layout Chinese Traditional.png|Chinese (traditional) keyboard layout, a US keyboard with Zhuyin, Cangjie and Dayi key labels, which can all be used to input chinese characters into a computer
See also
Smart Common Input Method
Japanese language and computers
* Japanese input methods
Korean language and computers
Han unification
Chinese character encodings:
* Big5
* Guobiao code (GB)
* Neima
* Unicode
* Telegraph code
External links
;Information
What Does a Chinese Keyboard Look Like?, article by Slate.com
Overview of Input Methods, by Sebastien Bruggeman.
;Tutorials
What is an Input Method Editor and how do I use it?, a Microsoft article about Windows XP's Input Method Editor.
Enabling International Support in Windows XP/Server 2003 Family, a Microsoft tutorial on how to install input methods on Windows XP.
Tutorial on typing Chinese using PinYin method - based on HanWJ Chinese Inoput Engine
IME Tutorial, tutorial on how to use Microsoft Global IME for pre-Windows 2000 systems.
;Tools
Typing Chinese Online with Optional Tone Input
Online Cantonese Input
SCIM's homepage
InputKing Online Chinese Input System
CantonWP, Colloquial Cantonese and Mandarin Editor and Learning Tool.
online zhuyin fuhao keyboard which can convert them into characters
Notes
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