Keyboard Settings

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Keyboard processing

In Smalltalk/X, all keys are translated via a table called the keyboardMap.
This table maps raw physical keys and modifier keys (i.e. "Ctrl", "Alt" or "Meta") to logical keys (such as #Copy, #Cut or #EndOfText).

Within Smalltalk/X, only logical keys are used.

KeyboardMap setup

The keyboardMap is set up in the startup files: The current keyboardMap is displayed in the launchers keyboardSetting dialog. Read ``Keyboard mappings''. in ``Configuration & Customization'': for more information.

Keyboard macros

In addition to builtin keyboard functions (i.e. #Copy or #Paste), macros may be assgned to keys. These macros are also defined in the startup files. Read ``Keyboard macros''. in ``Configuration & Customization'': for more information.

Composing national characters

National characters which are not present on your keyboard can be entered via a Compose key sequence:
Press the "Compose" key followed by the two keys which graphically form the desired national key. For example, the german "ä" (Umlaut-a) is entered as:
	Compose a "
If your keyboard has no "Compose" key, it may be remapped (using the keyboard map) to some other unused key.
The default setup remaps the right control key ("Control_R").

If your keyboard has those characters but you don't get them with typing, consult the displays manual (i.e. xmodmap manual pages).

Here is a list of available compose key sequences:

Further reading

For more information, read "Configuration & Customization".


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Doc $Revision: 1.11 $ $Date: 2009/09/21 13:52:21 $