KEYBOARD #TYPING

methods of inserting key combinations

Overview of different methods of entering characters not displayed on the keycaps
by using combinations of keys: the third and fourth level chooser, compose keys, and unicode composition.

1. with key modifiers

the most limited option , however the most easy & quick method
zie [[11. key modifiers & key level choosers]]
en [[12. altgr modifiers]]

2. with the compose key

aka the multi key in Xwindow parlance.
short : {MK}
Is a key on the keyboard that indicates that
the sequence of keys following {MK} must serve to select a specific graphical / special / symbol character , and must not be inserted litteraly.
This sequence can be made up of any letters, numbers, or symbols available on the keyboard.
Thus the sequence can be more mnemonic, and can support a far greater numbers of characters.

Because Windows and macOS do not support a compose key by default, the key {MK} does not exist on most modern keyboards. zie : [[13. linux compose key]]

3. using Unicode composition : Shift+Ctrl+U

Enter non keyboard characters by typing their Unicode character number :
- press Shift+Ctrl+U
- release U
- enter the hexadecimal Unicode character code [hexadecimal : 0123456789abcdef ]
- then release Shift+Ctrl.
An underlined u followed by the number will be displayed as you type.

Alternatively, press (and release) Shift+Ctrl+U, then, while underlined u is displayed, enter the hexadecimal Unicode character code point followed by < Return>.

4. using dead keys

Dead keys are keys that appear to do nothing at first; but they apply an accent to the next letter you type. The first character you type is the “dead key” .
First usage was for accents such as accents grave , circonflex , etc , and copied from mechanical typewriters.

nowadays , non-qwerty keyboard have the most used accented characters already on the keys.
This method has later beeen extended for the typing of symbols as well.

dead keys differ from modifiers , because they are a sequence , pressed indepentently
modifiers require you to keep holding dthe modifierkey(s) while pressing the sequences

Most systems choose the dead key to be used as part of the character selection
==> press accent grave key then a gives á
This made sense for accent marks, and wass extended to other symbols for consistency
Because of this dead key are often (less) intuitive then the compose key.

the dead key zelf kan je meestal typen door 2 x op de deadkey te drukken

For instance :
ß :: dead key : S compose key : {Compose}SS
⅔ :: dead key : W compose key : {Compose}23
( umlaut + W is used because ¨3 is already taken for ⅓ , but that makes it not intuitive)

dead keys in Linux Mint :

deadkey	name
´	accent
	accent
^	accent cirçonflex –(1)
¨	umlaut
~	tilde
	? overige ?

(1) niet de CARRET ( top rij toets op de 8 ) , is de lower key toest met de umlaut als upper

¨