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The Input Method Protocol
Version 1.0
X Consortium Standard
X Version 11, Release 6.4
Masahiko Narita
FUJITSU Limited.
Hideki Hiura
SunSoft, Inc.
ABSTRACT
This specifies a protocol between IM library and
IM (Input Method) Server for internationalized
text input, which is independent from any specific
language, any specific input method and the trans-
port layer used in communication between the IM
library and the IM Server, and uses a client-
server model. This protocol allows user to use
his/her favorite input method for all applications
within the stand-alone distributed environment.
X Window System is a trademark of X Consortium, Inc.
Copyright (C) 1993, 1994 by X Consortium, Inc.
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person
obtaining a copy of this software and associated documenta-
tion files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without
restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or
sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom
the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following
conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall
be included in all copies or substantial portions of the
Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PUR-
POSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE X CONSOR-
TIUM BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING
FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE
OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
Except as contained in this notice, the name of the X Con-
sortium shall not be used in advertising or otherwise to
promote the sale, use or other dealings in this Software
without prior written authorization from the X Consortium.
Copyright (C) 1993, 1994 by FUJITSU LIMITED
Copyright (C) 1993, 1994 by Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this docu-
mentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
provided that the above copyright notice and this permission
notice appear in all copies. Fujitsu and Sun Microsystems
make no representations about the suitability for any pur-
pose of the information in this document. This documenta-
tion is provided as is without express or implied warranty.
1. Introduction
1.1. Scope
The internationalization in the X Window System Version 11,
Release 5 (X11R5) provides a common API which application
developers can use to create portable internationalized pro-
grams and to adapt them to the requirements of different
native languages, local customs, and character string encod-
ings (this is called ``localization''). As one of its
internationalization mechanisms X11R5 has defined a func-
tional interface for internationalized text input, called
XIM (X Input Method).
When a client-server model is used with an IM (Input Method)
implementation, a protocol must be established between the
client and the server. However, the protocol used to inter-
face Input Method Servers (IM Servers) with the Input Method
libraries (IM libraries) to which applications are linked
was not addressed in X11R5. This led application developers
to depend on vendor-specific input methods, decreased the
user's choice of available input methods, and made it more
difficult for developers to create portable applications.
This paper describes the Input Method Protocol developed for
X11R6 to resolve the above problems and to address the
requirements of existing and future input methods.
The Input Method Protocol is independent from the transport
layer used in communication between the IM library and the
IM Server. Thus, the input method protocol can be built on
any inter-process communication mechanism, such as TCP/IP or
the X protocol.
In addition, the protocol provides for future extensions
such as differing input model types.
1.2. Background
Text input is much more simple for some languages than oth-
ers. English, for instance, uses an alphabet of a manage-
able size, and input consists of pressing the corresponding
key on a keyboard, perhaps in combination with a shift key
for capital letters or special characters.
Some languages have larger alphabets, or modifiers such as
accents, which require the addition of special key combina-
tions in order to enter text. These input methods may
require ``dead-keys'' or ``compose-keys'' which, when fol-
lowed by different combinations of key strokes, generate
different characters.
Text input for ideographic languages is much less simple.
In these languages, characters represent actual objects
1
X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
rather than phonetic sounds used in pronouncing a word, and
the number of characters in these languages may continue to
grow. In Japanese, for instance, most text input methods
involve entering characters in a phonetic alphabet, after
which the input method searches a dictionary for possible
ideographic equivalents (of which there may be many). The
input method then presents the candidate characters for the
user to choose from.
In Japanese, either Kana (phonetic symbols) or Roman letters
are typed and then a region is selected for conversion to
Kanji. Several Kanji characters may have the same phonetic
representation. If that is the case with the string entered,
a menu of characters is presented and the user must choose
the appropriate one. If no choice is necessary or a prefer-
ence has been established, the input method does the substi-
tution directly.
These complicated input methods must present state informa-
tion (Status Area), text entry and edit space (Preedit
Area), and menu/choice presentations (Auxiliary Area). Much
of the protocol between the IM library and the IM Server
involves managing these IM areas. Because of the size and
complexity of these input methods, and because of how widely
they vary from one language or locale to another, they are
usually implemented as separate processes which can serve
many client processes on the same computer or network.
1.3. Input Method Styles
X11 internationalization support includes the following four
types of input method:
- on-the-spot: The client application is directed
by the IM Server to display all
pre-edit data at the site of text
insertion. The client registers
callbacks invoked by the input
method during pre-editing.
- off-the-spot: The client application provides
display windows for the pre-edit
data to the input method which dis-
plays into them directly.
- over-the-spot: The input method displays pre-edit
data in a window which it brings up
directly over the text insertion
position.
- root-window: The input method displays all pre-
edit data in a separate area of the
screen in a window specific to the
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
input method.
Client applications must choose from the available input
methods supported by the IM Server and provide the display
areas and callbacks required by the input method.
2. Architecture
2.1. Implementation Model
Within the X Window System environment, the following two
typical architectural models can be used as an input
method's implementation model.
- Client/Server model:
A separate process, the IM Server,
processes input and handles preed-
iting, converting, and committing.
The IM library within the applica-
tion, acting as client to the IM
Server, simply receives the commit-
ted string from the IM Server.
- Library model: All input is handled by the IM
library within the application.
The event process is closed within
the IM library and a separate IM
Server process may not be required.
Most languages which need complex preediting, such as Asian
languages, are implemented using the Client/Server IM model.
Other languages which need only dead key or compose key pro-
cessing, such as European languages, are implemented using
the Library model.
In this paper, we discuss mainly the Client/Server IM model
and the protocol used in communication between the IM
library (client) and the IM Server.
2.2. Structure of IM
When the client connects or disconnects to the IM Server, an
open or close operation occurs between the client and the IM
Server.
The IM can be specified at the time of XOpenIM() by setting
the locale of the client and a locale modifier. Since the IM
remembers the locale at the time of creation XOpenIM() can
be called multiple times (with the setting for the locale
and the locale modifier changed) to support multiple lan-
guages.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
In addition, the supported IM type can be obtained using
XGetIMValues().
The client usually holds multiple input (text) fields. Xlib
provides a value type called the ``Input Context'' (IC) to
manage each individual input field. An IC can be created by
specifying XIM using XCreateIC(), and it can be destroyed
using XDestroyIC().
The IC can specify the type of IM which is supported by XIM
for each input field, so each input field can handle a dif-
ferent type of IM.
Most importantly information such as the committed string
sent from the IM Server to the client, is exchanged based on
each IC.
Since each IC corresponds to an input field, the focused
input field should be announced to the IM Server using XSet-
ICFocus(). (XUnsetICFocus() can also be used to change the
focus.)
2.3. Event Handling Model
Existing input methods support either the FrontEnd method,
the BackEnd method, or both. This protocol specifically
supports the BackEnd method as the default method, but also
supports the FrontEnd method as an optional IM Server exten-
sion.
The difference between the FrontEnd and BackEnd methods is
in how events are delivered to the IM Server. (Fig. 1)
2.3.1. BackEnd Method
In the BackEnd method, client window input events are always
delivered to the IM library, which then passes them to the
IM Server. Events are handled serially in the order deliv-
ered, and therefore there is no synchronization problem
between the IM library and the IM Server.
Using this method, the IM library forwards all KeyPress and
KeyRelease events to the IM Server (as required by the Event
Flow Control model described in section 2.4. ``Event Flow
Control''), and synchronizes with the IM Server (as
described in section 4.16. ``Filtering Events'').
2.3.2. FrontEnd Method
In the FrontEnd method, client window input events are
delivered by the X server directly to both the IM Server and
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
the IM library. Therefore this method provides much better
interactive performance while preediting (particularly in
cases such as when the IM Server is running locally on the
user's workstation and the client application is running on
another workstation over a relatively slow network).
However, the FrontEnd model may have synchronization prob-
lems between the key events handled in the IM Server and
other events handled in the client, and these problems could
possibly cause the loss or duplication of key events. For
this reason, the BackEnd method is the core method sup-
ported, and the FrontEnd method is made available as an
extension for performance purposes. (Refer to Appendix A for
more information.)
5
X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
... 0.05 6.513 4.737 10.45 ... 0.000i 3.937i 4.687i 0.000i
+
____________________
| |
| Application |
| |
| _______ |
| | |
| | |____________|
| | | | Library |
| | |____________|
|___________________|
| |
| |
| _____________________
| | |
| | IM Server |
| |____________________|
BackEnd Method|(Core) |FrontEnd Method (Extension)
| |
____________________
| |
| X Server |
|___________________|
Fig.1 The Flow of Events
2.4. Event Flow Control
This protocol supports two event flow models for communica-
tion between the IM library and the IM Server (Static and
Dynamic).
Static Event Flow requires that input events always be sent
to the IM Server from the client.
Dynamic Event Flow, however, requires only that those input
events which need to be processed (converted) be sent to the
IM Server from the client.
For instance, in the case of inputing a combination of ASCII
characters and Chinese characters, ASCII characters do not
need to be processed in the IM Server, so their key events
do not have to be sent to the IM Server. On the other hand,
key events necessary for composing Chinese characters must
be sent to the IM Server.
Thus, by adopting the Dynamic Event Flow, the number of
requests among the X Server, the client, and the IM Server
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
is significantly reduced, and the number of context switches
is also reduced, resulting in improved performance. The IM
Server can send XIM_REGISTER_TRIGGERKEYS message in order to
switch the event flow in the Dynamic Event Flow.
The protocol for this process is described in section 4.5.
``Event Flow Control''.
3. Default Preconnection Convention
IM Servers are strongly encouraged to register their sym-
bolic names as the ATOM names into the IM Server directory
property, XIM_SERVERS, on the root window of the screen_num-
ber 0. This property can contain a list of ATOMs, and the
each ATOM represents each possible IM Server. IM Server
names are restricted to POSIX Portable Filename Character
Set. To discover if the IM Server is active, see if there
is an owner for the selection with that atom name. To learn
the address of that IM Server, convert the selection target
TRANSPORT, which will return a string form of the transport
address(es). To learn the supported locales of that IM
Server, convert the selection target LOCALES, which will
return a set of names of the supported locales in the syntax
X/Open defines.
The basic semantics to determine the IM Server if there are
multiple ATOMs are found in XIM_SERVERS property, is first
fit if the IM Server name is not given as a X modifier's
category im.
The address information retrievable from the TRANSPORT tar-
get is a transport-specific name. The preregistered formats
for transport-specific names are listed in Appendix B.
Additional transport-specific names may be registered with X
Consortium.
For environments that lack X connections, or for IM Servers
which do not use the X Window System, the preconnection con-
vention with IM Server may be given outside the X Window
system (e.g. using a Name Service).
4. Protocol
The protocol described below uses the bi-directional syn-
chronous/asynchronous request/reply/error model and is spec-
ified using the same conventions outlined in Section 2 of
the core X Window System protocol [1]:
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
4.1. Basic Requests Packet Format
This section describes the requests that may be exchanged
between the client and the IM Server.
The basic request packet header format is as follows.
major-opcode: CARD8
minor-opcode: CARD8
length: CARD16
The MAJOR-OPCODE specifies which core request or extension
package this packet represents. If the MAJOR-OPCODE corre-
sponds to a core request, the MINOR-OPCODE contains 8 bits
of request-specific data. (If the MINOR-OPCODE is not used,
it is 0.) Otherwise, the MAJOR-OPCODE and the MINOR-OPCODE
are specified by XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION message. (Refer to
4.7. Query the supported extension protocol list.) The
LENGTH field specifies the number of 4 bytes elements fol-
lowing the header. If no additional data is followed by the
header, the LENGTH field will be 0.
4.2. Data Types
The following data types are used in the core X IM Server
protocol:
BITMASK16
CARD16
BITMASK32
CARD32
PADDING FORMAT
Where N is some expression, and Pad(N) is the number of bytes needed to round N up to a
multiple of four.
Pad(N) = (4 - (N mod 4)) mod 4
LPCE
1 A character from the4 X Portable Character Set in Latin Portable
Character Encoding
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
STRING
2 n length of string in bytes
n LISTofLPCE string
p unused, p=Pad(2+n)
STR
1 n length of name in bytes
n STRING8 name
XIMATTR
2 CARD16 attribute ID (*1)
2 CARD16 type of the value (*2)
2 n length of im-attribute
n STRING8 im-attribute
p unused, p = Pad(2+n)
The im-attribute argument specifies XIM values such as XNQueryInputStyle.
XICATTR
2 CARD16 attribute ID (*1)
2 CARD16 type of the value (*2)
2 n length of ic-attribute
n STRING8 ic-attribute
p unused, p = Pad(2+n)
(*1) XIMATTR and XICATTR are used during the setup stage and
XIMATTRIBUTE and XICATTRIBUTE are used after each
attribute ID has been recognized by the IM Server and
the IM library.
(*2) The value types are defined as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
values data format
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#0 Separator of NestedList ----- (*3)
#1 byte data CARD8
#2 word data CARD16
#3 long data CARD32
#4 char data STRING8
#5 Window CARD32
#10 XIMStyles 2 n number of XIMStyle list
2 unused
n CARD32 XIMStyle list
#11 XRectangle 2 INT16 X
2 INT16 Y
2 CARD16 width
2 CARD16 height
#12 XPoint 2 INT16 X
2 INT16 Y
#13 XFontSet 2 n length of Base font name
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
values data format
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
n STRING8 Base font name list
p unused, p = Pad(2+n)
#15 XIMHotKeyTriggers 4 n number of XIMTRIGGERKEY
list (*4)
n XIMTRIGGERKEY XIMHotkeyTrigger list
#16 XIMHotKeyState XIMHOTKEYSTATE HotKey processing state
#17 XIMStringConversion XIMSTRCONVTEXT
#18 XIMPreeditState XIMPREEDITSTATE
#19 XIMResetState XIMRESETSTATE
#x7fff NestedList -----
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*3) The IC value for the separator of NestedList is defined
as follows,
#define XNSeparatorofNestedList ``separato-
rofNestedList''
, which is registered in X Consortium and cannot be
used for any other purpose.
(*4) LISTofFOO
A Type name of the form LISTof FOO means a counted
list of elements of type FOO. The size of the
length field may vary (it is not necessarily the
same size as a FOO), and in some cases, it may be
implicit.
XIMTRIGGERKEY
4 CARD32 keysym
4 CARD32 modifier
4 CARD32 modifier mask
ENCODINGINFO
2 n length of encoding info
n STRING8 encoding info
p unused, p=Pad(2+n)
EXT
1 CARD8 extension major-opcode
1 CARD8 extension minor-opcode
2 n length of extension name
n STRING8 extension name
p unused, p = Pad(n)
XIMATTRIBUTE
2 CARD16 attribute ID
2 n value length
n value
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
p unused, p = Pad(n)
XICATTRIBUTE
2 CARD16 attribute ID
2 n value length
n value
p unused, p = Pad(n)
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIMSTRCONVTEXT
2 CARD16 XIMStringConversionFeedback
#x0000001 XIMStringConversionLeftEdge
#x0000002 XIMStringConversionRightEdge
#x0000004 XIMStringConversionTopEdge
#x0000008 XIMStringConversionBottomEdge
#x0000010 XIMStringConversionConvealed
#x0000020 XIMStringConversionWrapped
2 n byte length of the retrieved string
n STRING8 retrieved string
p unused, p = Pad(n)
2 m byte length of feedback array
2 unused
m LISTofXIMSTRCONVFEEDBACK feedback array(*1)
(*1) This field is reserved for future use.
XIMFEEDBACK
4 CARD32 XIMFeedback
#x000001 XIMReverse
#x000002 XIMUnderline
#x000004 XIMHighlight
#x000008 XIMPrimary
#x000010 XIMSecondary
#x000020 XIMTertiary
#x000040 XIMVisibleToForward
#x000080 XIMVisibleToBackward
#x000100 XIMVisibleCenter
XIMHOTKEYSTATE
4 CARD32 XIMHotKeyState
#x0000001 XIMHotKeyStateON
#x0000002 XIMHotKeyStateOFF
XIMPREEDITSTATE
4 CARD32 XIMPreeditState
#x0000001 XIMPreeditEnable
#x0000002 XIMPreeditDisable
XIMRESETSTATE
4 CARD32 XIMResetState
#x0000001 XIMInitialState
#x0000002 XIMPreserveState
4.3. Error Notification
Both the IM Server and the IM library return XIM_ERROR mes-
sages instead of the corresponding reply messages if any
errors occur during data processing.
At most one error is generated per request. If more than one
error condition is encountered in processing a request, the
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
choice of which error is returned is implementation-depen-
dent.
XIM_ERROR (IM Server <--> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 BITMASK16 flag (*1)
#0000 Both Input-Method-ID and Input-Context-ID are invalid
#0001 Input-Method-ID is valid
#0002 Input-Context-ID is valid
2 CARD16 Error Code
#1 BadAlloc
#2 BadStyle
#3 BadClientWindow
#4 BadFocusWindow
#5 BadArea
#6 BadSpotLocation
#7 BadColormap
#8 BadAtom
#9 BadPixel
#10 BadPixmap
#11 BadName
#12 BadCursor
#13 BadProtocol
#14 BadForeground
#15 BadBackground
#16 LocaleNotSupported
#999 BadSomething (*2)
2 n byte length of error detail.
2 CARD16 type of error detail (*3)
n STRING8 error detail (*4)
p unused, p = Pad(n)
(*1) Before an IM is created, both Input-Method-ID and
Input-Context-ID are invalid. Before an IC is
created, only Input-Method-ID is valid. After
that, both of Input-Method-ID and Input-Context-ID
are valid.
(*2) Unspecific error, for example ``language engine
died''
(*3) This field is reserved for future use.
(*4) Vendor defined detail error message
4.4. Connection Establishment
XIM_CONNECT message requests to establish a connection over
a mutually-understood virtual stream.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_CONNECT (IM library -> IM Server)
1 byte order
#x42 MSB first
#x6c LSB first
1 unused
2 CARD16 client-major-protocol-version (*1)
2 CARD16 client-minor-protocol-version (*1)
2 CARD16 number of client-auth-protocol-names
n LISTofSTRING client-auth-protocol-names
(*1) Specify the version of IM Protocol that the client
supports.
A client must send XIM_CONNECT message as the first message
on the connection. The list specifies the names of authen-
tication protocols the sending IM Server is willing to per-
form. (If the client need not authenticate, the list may be
omited.)
XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED message is used to send the authentication
protocol name and protocol-specific data.
XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED (IM library <--> IM Server)
1 CARD8 auth-protocol-index
3 unused
2 n length of authentication data
2 unused
n <varies> data
p unused, p = Pad(n)
The auth-protocol is specified by an index into the list of
names given in the XIM_CONNECT or XIM_AUTH_SETUP message.
Any protocol-specific data that might be required is also
sent.
The IM library sends XIM_AUTH_REPLY message as the reply to
XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED message, if the IM Server is authenti-
cated.
XIM_AUTH_REPLY (IM library -> IM Server)
2 n length of authentication data
2 unused
2 n length of authentication data
2 unused
n <varies> data
p unused, p = Pad(n)
The auth data is specific to the authentication protocol in
use.
14
X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_AUTH_NEXT message requests to send more auth data.
XIM_AUTH_NEXT (IM library <--> IM Server)
2 n length of authentication data
2 unused
n <varies> data
p unused, p = Pad(n)
The auth data is specific to the authentication protocol in
use.
The IM Server sends XIM_AUTH_SETUP message to authenticate
the client.
XIM_AUTH_SETUP (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 number of client-auth-protocol-names
2 unused
n LISTofSTRING server-auth-protocol-names
The list specifies the names of authentication protocols the
client is willing to perform.
XIM_AUTH_NG message requests to give up the connection.
XIM_AUTH_NG (IM library <--> IM Server)
The IM Server sends XIM_CONNECT_REPLY message as the reply
to XIM_CONNECT or XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED message.
XIM_CONNECT_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 server-major-protocol-version (*1)
2 CARD16 server-minor-protocol-version (*1)
(*1) Specify the version of IM Protocol that the IM
Server supports. This document specifies major
version one, minor version zero.
Here are the state diagrams for the client and the IM
Server.
State transitions for the client
init_status:
Use authorization function -> client_ask
Not use authorization function -> client_no_check
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
start:
Send XIM_CONNECT
If client_ask -> client_wait1
If client_no_check, client-auth-protocol-
names may be omited -> client_wait2
client_wait1:
Receive XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED -> client_check
Receive <other> -> client_NG
client_check:
If no more auth needed, send XIM_AUTH_REPLY ->
client_wait2
If good auth data, send XIM_AUTH_NEXT ->
client_wait1
If bad auth data, send XIM_AUTH_NG -> give up on
this protocol
client_wait2:
Receive XIM_CONNECT_REPLY -> connect
Receive XIM_AUTH_SETUP -> client_more
Receive XIM_AUTH_NEXT -> client_more
Receive XIM_AUTH_NG -> give up on this protocol
Receive <other> -> client_NG
client_more:
Send XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED -> client_wait2
client_NG:
Send XIM_AUTH_NG -> give up on this protocol
State transitions for the IM Server
init-status:
Use authorization function -> server_ask
Not use authorization function -> server_no_check
start:
Receive XIM_CONNECT -> start2
Receive <other> -> server_NG
start2:
If client_ask, send XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED ->
server_wait1
If client_no_check and server_ask, send
XIM_AUTH_SETUP -> server_wait2
16
X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
If client_no_check and server_no_check, send
XIM_CONNECT_REPLY -> connect
server_wait1:
Receive XIM_AUTH_REPLY -> server2
Receive XIM_AUTH_NEXT -> server_more
Receive <other> -> server_NG
server_more
Send XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED -> server_wait1
server2
If server_ask, send XIM_AUTH_SETUP -> server_wait2
If server_no_check, send XIM_CONNECT_REPLY -> con-
nect
server_wait2
Receive XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED -> server_check
Receive <other> -> server_NG
server_check
If no more auth data, send XIM_CONNECT_REPLY ->
connect
If bad auth data, send XIM_AUTH_NG -> give up on
this protocol
If good auth data, send XIM_AUTH_NEXT ->
server_wait2
server_NG
Send XIM_AUTH_NG -> give up on this protocol
XIM_DISCONNECT message requests to shutdown the connection
over a mutually-understood virtual stream.
XIM_DISCONNECT (IM library -> IM Server)
XIM_DISCONNECT is a synchronous request. The IM library
should wait until it receives either an XIM_DISCONNECT_REPLY
packet or an XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_DISCONNECT_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
XIM_OPEN requests to establish a logical connection between
the IM library and the IM Server.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_OPEN (IM library -> IM Server)
n STR locale name
p unused, p = Pad(n)
XIM_OPEN is a synchronous request. The IM library should
wait until receiving either an XIM_OPEN_REPLY packet or an
XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_OPEN_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of IM attributes supported
n LISTofXIMATTR IM attributes supported
2 m byte length of IC attributes supported
2 CARD16 unused
m LISTofXICATTR IC attributes supported
XIM_OPEN_REPLY message returns all supported IM and IC
attributes in LISTofXIMATTR and LISTofXICATTR. These IM and
IC attribute IDs are used to reduce the amount of data which
must be transferred via the network. In addition, this indi-
cates to the IM library what kinds of IM/IC attributes can
be used in this session, and what types of data will be
exchanged. This allows the IM Server provider and applica-
tion writer to support IM system enhancements with new IM/IC
attributes, without modifying Xlib. The IC value for the
separator of NestedList must be included in the LISTofXI-
CATTR.
XIM_CLOSE message requests to shutdown the logical connec-
tion between the IM library and the IM Server.
XIM_CLOSE (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 unused
XIM_CLOSE is a synchronous request. The IM library should
wait until receiving either an XIM_CLOSE_REPLY packet or an
XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_CLOSE_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 unused
4.5. Event Flow Control
An IM Server must send XIM_SET_EVENT_MASK message to the IM
library in order for events to be forwarded to the IM
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Server, since the IM library initially doesn't forward any
events to the IM Server. In the protocol, the IM Server will
specify masks of X events to be forwarded and which need to
be synchronized by the IM library.
XIM_SET_EVENT_MASK (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 EVENTMASK forward-event-mask (*1)
4 EVENTMASK synchronous-event-mask (*2)
(*1) Specify all the events to be forwarded to the IM
Server by the IM library.
(*2) Specify the events to be forwarded with syn-
chronous flag on by the IM library.
XIM_SET_EVENT_MASK is an asynchronous request. The event
masks are valid immediately after they are set until changed
by another XIM_SET_EVENT_MASK message. If input-context-ID
is set to zero, the default value of the input-method-ID
will be changed to the event masks specified in the request.
That value will be used for the IC's which have no individ-
ual values.
Using the Dynamic Event Flow model, an IM Server sends
XIM_REGISTER_TRIGGERKEYS message to the IM library before
sending XIM_OPEN_REPLY message. Or the IM library may sup-
pose that the IM Server uses the Static Event Flow model.
XIM_REGISTER_TRIGGERKEYS (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 unused
4 n byte length of on-keys
n LISTofXIMTRIGGERKEY on-keys list
4 m byte length of off-keys
m LISTofXIMTRIGGERKEY off-keys list
XIM_REGISTER_TRIGGERKEYS is an asynchronous request. The IM
Server notifys the IM library of on-keys and off-keys lists
with this message.
The IM library notifys the IM Server with XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY
message that a key event matching either on-keys or off-keys
has been occurred.
XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY (IM library -> IM Server)
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 CARD32 flag
#0 on-keys list
#1 off-keys list
4 CARD32 index of keys list
4 EVENTMASK client-select-event-mask (*1)
(*1) Specify the events currently selected by the IM
library with XSelectInput.
XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY is a synchronous request. The IM library
should wait until receiving either an XIM_TRIG-
GER_NOTIFY_REPLY packet or an XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4.6. Encoding Negotiation
XIM_ENCODING_NEGOTIATION message requests to decide which
encoding to be sent across the wire. When the negotiation
fails, the fallback default encoding is Portable Character
Encoding.
XIM_ENCODING_NEGOTIATION (IM library -> IM Server).sp 6p
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of encodings listed by name
n LISTofSTR list of encodings supported in the IM library.
p unused, p = Pad(n)
2 m byte length of encodings listed by detailed data
2 unused
m LISTofENCODINGINFO list of encordings supported in the IM library
The IM Server must choose one encoding from the list sent by
the IM library. If index of the encording determined is -1
to indicate that the negotiation is failed, the fallback
default encoding is used. The message must be issued after
sending XIM_OPEN message via XOpenIM(). The name of encod-
ing may be registered with X Consortium.
XIM_ENCODING_NEGOTIATION is a synchronous request. The IM
library should wait until receiving either an XIM_ENCOD-
ING_NEGOTIATION_REPLY packet or an XIM_ERROR packet.
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XIM_ENCODING_NEGOTIATION_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 category of the encoding determined.
#0 name
#1 detailed data
2 INT16 index of the encoding determinated.
2 unused
4.7. Query the supported extension protocol list
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION message requests to query the IM exten-
sions supported by the IM Server to which the client is
being connected.
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of extensions supported by
the IM library
n LISTofSTR extensions supported by the IM library
p unused, p = Pad(n)
An example of a supported extension is FrontEnd. The mes-
sage must be issued after sending XIM_OPEN message via
XOpenIM().
If n is 0, the IM library queries the IM Server for all
extensions.
If n is not 0, the IM library queries whether the IM Server
supports the contents specified in the list.
If a client uses an extension request without previously
having issued a XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION message for that exten-
sion, the IM Server responds with a BadProtocol error. If
the IM Server encounters a request with an unknown MAJOR-
OPCODE or MINOR-OPCODE, it responds with a BadProtocol
error.
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION is a synchronous request. The IM
library should wait until receiving either an
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION_REPLY packet or an XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of extensions supported
by both the IM library and the IM
Server
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n LISTofEXT list of extensions supported by
both the IM library and the IM
Server
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION_REPLY message returns the list of exten-
sions supported by both the IM library and the IM Server. If
the list passed in XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION message is NULL, the
IM Server returns the full list of extensions supported by
the IM Server. If the list is not NULL, the IM Server
returns the extensions in the list that are supported by the
IM Server.
A zero-length string is not a valid extension name. The IM
library should disregard any zero-length strings that are
returned in the extension list. The IM library does not use
the requests which are not supported by the IM Server.
4.8. Setting IM Values
XIM_SET_IM_VALUES requests to set attributes to the IM.
XIM_SET_IM_VALUES (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of im-attribute
n LISTofXIMATTRIBUTE im-attributes
The im-attributes in XIM_SET_IM_VALUES message are specified
as a LISTofXIMATTRIBUTE, specifying the attributes to be
set. Attributes other than the ones returned by
XIM_OPEN_REPLY message should not be specified.
XIM_SET_IM_VALUES is a synchronous request. The IM library
should wait until receiving either an XIM_SET_IM_VAL-
UES_REPLY packet or an XIM_ERROR packet, because it must
receive the error attribute if XIM_ERROR message is
returned.
XIM_SET_IM_VALUES_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 unused
XIM_SET_IM_VALUES_REPLY message returns the input-method-ID
to distinguish replies from multiple IMs.
4.9. Getting IM Values
XIM_GET_IM_VALUES requests to query IM values supported by
the IM Server currently being connected.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_GET_IM_VALUES (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of im-attribute-id
n LISTofCARD16 im-attribute-id
p unused, p=Pad(n)
XIM_GET_IM_VALUES is a synchronous request. The IM library
should wait until it receives either an XIM_GET_IM_VAL-
UES_REPLY packet or an XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_GET_IM_VALUES_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of im-attributes returned
n LISTofXIMATTRIBUTE im-attributes returned
The IM Server returns IM values with XIM_GET_IM_VALUES_REPLY
message. The order of the returned im-attribute values cor-
responds directly to that of the list passed with the
XIM_GET_IM_VALUES message.
4.10. Creating an IC
XIM_CREATE_IC message requests to create an IC.
XIM_CREATE_IC (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 n byte length of ic-attributes
n LISTofXICATTRIBUTE ic-attributes
The input-context-id is specified by the IM Server to iden-
tify the client (IC). (It is not specified by the client in
XIM_CREATE_IC message.), and it should not be set to zero.
XIM_CREATE_IC is a synchronous request which returns the
input-context-ID. The IM library should wait until it
receives either an XIM_CREATE_IC_REPLY packet or an
XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_CREATE_IC_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4.11. Destroying the IC
XIM_DESTROY_IC message requests to destroy the IC.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_DESTROY_IC (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
XIM_DESTROY_IC is a synchronous request. The IM library
should not free its resources until it receives an
XIM_DESTROY_IC_REPLY message because XIM_DESTROY_IC message
may result in Callback packets such as XIM_PREEDIT_DRAW and
XIM_PREEDIT_DONE.
XIM_DESTROY_IC_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4.12. Setting IC Values
XIM_SET_IC_VALUES messages requests to set attributes to the
IC.
XIM_SET_IC_VALUES (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 n byte length of ic-attributes
2 unused
n LISTofXICATTRIBUTE ic-attributes
The ic-attributes in XIM_SET_IC_VALUES message are specified
as a LISTofXICATTRIBUTE, specifying the attributes to be
set. Attributes other than the ones returned by
XIM_OPEN_REPLY message should not be specified.
XIM_SET_IC_VALUES is a synchronous request. The IM library
should wait until receiving either an XIM_SET_IC_VAL-
UES_REPLY packet or an XIM_ERROR packet, because it must
receive the error attribute if XIM_ERROR message is
returned.
XIM_SET_IC_VALUES_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4.13. Getting IC Values
XIM_GET_IC_VALUES message requests to query IC values sup-
ported by the IM Server currently being connected.
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XIM_GET_IC_VALUES (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 n byte length of ic-attribute-id
n LISTofCARD16 ic-attribute-id
p unused, p=Pad(2+n)
In LISTofCARD16, the appearance of the ic-attribute-id for
the separator of NestedList shows the end of the heading
nested list.
XIM_GET_IC_VALUES is a synchronous request and returns each
attribute with its values to show the correspondence. The
IM library should wait until receiving either an
XIM_GET_IC_VALUES_REPLY packet or an XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_GET_IC_VALUES_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 n byte length of ic-attribute
2 unused
n LISTofXICATTRIBUTE ic-attribute
4.14. Setting IC Focus
XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS message requests to set the focus to the
IC.
XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS is an asynchronous request.
4.15. Unsetting IC Focus
XIM_UNSET_IC_FOCUS message requests to unset the focus to
the focused IC.
XIM_UNSET_IC_FOCUS (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
XIM_UNSET_IC_FOCUS is an asynchronous request.
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4.16. Filtering Events
Event filtering is mainly provided for BackEnd method to
allow input method to capture X events transparently to
clients.
X Events are forwarded by XIM_FORWARD_EVENT message. This
message can be operated both synchronously and asyn-
chronously. If the requester sets the synchronous flag, the
receiver must send XIM_SYNC_REPLY message back to the
requester when all the data processing is done.
Protocol flow of BackEnd model
With BackEnd method, the protocol flow can be classified
into two methods in terms of synchronization, depending on
the synchronous-eventmask of XIM_SET_EVENT_MASK message.
One can be called on-demand-synchronous method and another
can be called as full-synchronous method.
In on-demand-synchronous method, the IM library always
receives XIM_FORWARD_EVENT or XIM_COMMIT message as a syn-
chronous request. Also, the IM Server needs to synchronously
process the correspondent reply from the IM library and the
following XIM_FORWARD_EVENT message sent from the IM library
when any of the event causes the IM Server to send XIM_FOR-
WARD_EVENT or XIM_COMMIT message to the IM library, so that
the input service is consistent. If the IM library gets the
control back from the application after receiving the syn-
chronous request, the IM library replies for the synchronous
request before processing any of the events. In this time,
the IM Server blocks XIM_FORWARD_EVENT message which is sent
by the IM library, and handles it after receiving the reply.
However, the IM Server handles the other protocols at any
time.
In full-synchronous method, the IM library always sends
XIM_FORWARD_EVENT message to the IM Server as a synchronous
request. Therefore, the reply to it from the IM Server will
be put between the XIM_FORWARD_EVENT message and its
XIM_SYNC_REPLY message. In case of sending XIM_FOR-
WARD_EVENT or XIM_COMMIT message, the IM Server should set
the synchronous flag off. Because the synchronization can be
done by the following XIM_SYNC_REPLY message.
Sample Protocol flow chart 1
Following chart shows one of the simplest protocol flow
which only deals with keyevents for preediting operation.
... 0.425 6.888 6.3 10.296 ... 0.000i 3.408i 5.875i 0.000i
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Xlib API IM library IM Server
Key event_-XNextEvent | |
XFilterEvent------| |
-| XIM_FORWARD_EVENT|
| --|
Key event_-XNextEvent | XIM_FORWARD_EVENT|synchronous
XFilterEvent | or XIM_COMMIT |request
-| (synchronous) |
----------|-- --| ___
XNextEvent | --|Pending |
XFilterEvent (returnXIM_FORWARD_EVENT| |
_____ XmbLookupString | | |
Application moves --| XIM_SYNC --| |
the focus XSetICFocus_______|__XIM_SYNC_REPLY_-| |
|_________________ |processed|
| XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS|(The focused
| --|IC is changed)
XNextEvent |XIM_SYNC_REPLY as-apreplysed|
-|of the XIM_FORWARD_EVENT |
--| | |
| -- |processed|
Fig.2 Sample Protocol Flow
Sample Protocol flow chart 2
Following chart shows one of the complex protocol flow,
which deals with multiple focus windows and button press
event as well as keyevent, and the focus is moved by the
application triggered by both of keyevent and button press
event.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
... 0.425 5.575 6.3 10.296 ... 0.000i 4.721i 5.875i 0.000i
Xlib API IM library IM Server
Key event_-XNextEvent | |
XFilterEvent------| |
-| XIM_FORWARD_EVENT|
| -- |
Key event_-XNextEvent | XIM_FORWARD_EVENT|synchronous
XFilterEvent | or XIM_COMMIT |request
-| (synchronous) |
focusnchangXSetICFocus | --|Pending__
Pending untilM_FORWARD_EVENT| |
sync cycle-is doneM_SYNC --| |
|-- | |
|-- XIM_SYNC_REPLY | |
XNextEvent -|XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS is |
XFilterEvent (returpendabecause another sync cycle
_____ XmbLookupString | |is started by XIM_COMMIT |
Application moves | | | |
the focus XSetICFocus_______| XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS | |
| | --|processed|
| | --|(The focused
| | |IC is changed)
Key event_--XNextEvent | |XIM_SYNC_REPLY as apreplysed|
| |of the XIM_FORWARD_EVENT |
XFilterEvent |-| | |
|+| -- |processed|
-+| XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS
| -- |processed
| -- |
|XIM_FORWARD_EVENT |
Fig.3 Sample Protocol Flow chart
XIM_FORWARD_EVENT (IM library <--> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 BITMASK16 flag
#0001 synchronous
#0002 request filtering (*1)
#0004 request lookupstring (*2)
2 CARD16 serial number
XEVENT X event
(*1) Indicate the receiver should filter events and
possible preedit may be invoked.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
(*2) Indicate the receiver should only do lookup
string. The IM Server is expected to just do a
conversion of the key event to the best candidate.
This bit may affect the state of the preedit state
(e.g. compose of dead key sequences).
XEVENT format is same as the X Protocol event for-
mat(xEvent). As the value of xEvent's sequenceNumber is the
bottom of 16 bit of XEvent's xany.serial, the top of 16 bit
is sent by serial number(INT16).
XIM_FORWARD_EVENT message is used for forwarding the events
from the IM library to the IM Server in order for IM to be
able to filter the event. On the other hand, this message is
also used for forwarding the events from the IM Server to
the IM library if the event forwarded from the IM library is
not filtered. The IM Server, which receives XIM_FOR-
WARD_EVENT message without synchronous bit, should set syn-
chronous bit. If both ``request event filtering'' and
``request lookupstring'' flag are set, then both filtering
and lookup should be done for the same event.
4.17. Synchronizing with the IM Server
XIM_SYNC message requests to synchronize the IM library and
the IM Server.
XIM_SYNC (IM library <--> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
This synchronization can be started either on the IM library
side or on the IM Server side. The side which receives
XIM_SYNC message should process all XIM requests before
replying. The input-context-ID is necessary to distinguish
the IC with which the IM library and the IM Server are syn-
chronized.
XIM_SYNC_REPLY (IM Server <--> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
The side which receives XIM_FORWARD_EVENT, XIM_COMMIT or any
other message with synchronous bit, should process all XIM
request before replying, and send XIM_SYNC_REPLY message as
the reply to the previous message.
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4.18. Sending a committed string
When the IM Server commits a string, the IM Server sends
either the committed string or list of KeySym, or both, by
XIM_COMMIT message.
XIM_COMMIT (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 BITMASK16 flag
#0001 synchronous
#0002 XLookupChars
#0004 XLookupKeySym
#0006 XLookupBoth = XLookupChars | XLookupKeySym
If flag is XLookupKeySym, the arguments continue as
follows:
2 unused
4 KEYSYM KeySym
If flag is XLookupChars, the arguments continue as fol-
lows:
2 m byte length of committed string
m LISTofBYTE committed string
p unused, p = Pad(m)
If flag is XLookupBoth, the arguments continue as fol-
lows:
2 unused
4 KEYSYM KeySym
2 n byte length of committed string
n LISTofBYTE committed string
p unused, p = Pad(2+n)
The IM Server which receives XIM_COMMIT message without syn-
chronous bit should set synchronous bit.
4.19. Reset IC
XIM_RESET_IC message requests to reset the status of IC in
the IM Server.
XIM_RESET_IC (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_RESET_IC is a synchronous request. The IM library should
wait until receiving either an XIM_RESET_IC_REPLY packet or
an XIM_ERROR packet.
XIM_RESET_IC_REPLY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 n byte length of preedit string
n LISTofBYTE preedit string
p unused, p = Pad(2+n)
XIM_RESET_IC_REPLY message returns the input-context-ID to
distinguish replies from multiple ICs.
4.20. Callbacks
If XIMStyle has XIMPreeditArea or XIMStatusArea set, XIMGe-
ometryCallback may be used, and if XIMPreeditCallback and/or
XIMStatusCallback are set, corresponding callbacks may be
used.
Any callback request may be sent from an IM Server to an IM
client asynchronously in response to any request previously
sent by the IM client to the IM Server.
When an IM Server needs to send a callback request syn-
chronously with the request previously sent by an IM client,
the IM Server sends it before replying to the previous
request.
4.20.1. Negotiating geometry
The IM Server sends XIM_GEOMETRY message to start geometry
negotiation, if XIMStyle has XIMPreeditArea or XIMStatusArea
set.
XIM_GEOMETRY (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
There is always a single Focus Window, even if some input
fields have only one IC.
4.20.2. Converting a string
XIM_STR_CONVERSION (IM Server -> IM library)
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2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 CARD16 XIMStringConversionPosition
2 unused
4 CARD32 XIMCaretDirection
#0 XIMForwardChar
#1 XIMBackwardChar
#2 XIMForwardWord
#3 XIMBackwardWord
#4 XIMCaretUp
#5 XIMCaretDown
#6 XIMNextLine
#7 XIMCPreviousLine
#8 XIMLineStart
#9 XIMLineEnd
#10 XIMAbsolutePosition
#11 XIMDontChange
2 CARD16 factor
2 CARD16 XIMStringConversionOperation
#0001 XIMStringConversionSubstitution
#0002 XIMStringConversionRetrieval
2 INT16 byte length to multiply the XIM-
StringConversionType
XIM_STR_CONVERSION message may be used to start the string
conversion from the IM Server.
XIM_STR_CONVERSION_REPLY (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 CARD32 XIMStringConversionFeedback
XIMSTRCONVTEXT XIMStringConversionText
XIM_STR_CONVERSION_REPLY message returns the string to be
converted and the feedback information array.
4.20.3. Preedit Callbacks
The IM Server sends XIM_PREEDIT_START message to call the
XIMPreeditStartCallback function.
XIM_PREEDIT_START (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
The reply to this message must be sent synchronously. The
reply forwards the return value from the callback function
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to the IM Server.
XIM_PREEDIT_START_REPLY (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 INT32 return value
XIM_PREEDIT_START_REPLY message returns the input-context-ID
to distinguish replies from multiple IC's. The return value
contains the return value of the function XIMPreeditStart-
Callback.
The IM Server sends XIM_PREEDIT_DRAW message to call the
XIMPreeditDrawCallback function.
XIM_PREEDIT_DRAW (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 INT32 caret
4 INT32 chg_first
4 INT32 chg_length
4 BITMASK32 status
#x0000001 no string
#x0000002 no feedback
2 n length of preedit string
n STRING8 preedit string
p unused, p = Pad(2+n)
2 m byte length of feedback array
2 unused
m LISTofXIMFEEDBACK feedback array
The fields ``caret'', ``chg_first'' and ``chg_length'' cor-
respond to the fields of XIMPreeditDrawCallbackStruct. When
the ``no string'' bit of the status field is set, the text
field of XIMPreeditDrawCallbackStruct is NULL. When the
``no feedback'' bit of the status field is set, the text
feedback field of XIMPreeditDrawCallbackStruct is NULL.
When the above bits are not set, ``preedit string'' contains
the preedit string to be displayed, and the feedback array
contains feedback information.
The IM Server sends XIM_PREEDIT_CARET message to call the
PreeditCaretCallback function.
XIM_PREEDIT_CARET (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 INT32 position
4 CARD32 direction
#0 XIMForwardChar
#1 XIMBackwardChar
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#2 XIMForwardWord
#3 XIMBackwardWord
#4 XIMCaretUp
#5 XIMCaretDown
#6 XIMNextLine
#7 XIMCPreviousLine
#8 XIMLineStart
#9 XIMLineEnd
#10 XIMAbsolutePosition
#11 XIMDontChange
4 CARD32 style
#0 XIMInvisible
#1 XIMCPrimary
#2 XIMSecondary
Each entry corresponds to a field of XIMPreeditCaretCall-
backStruct. Since this callback sets the caret position,
its reply must be sent synchronously.
XIM_PREEDIT_CARET_REPLY (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 CARD32 position
The position is the value returned by the callback function
after it has been called.
The IM Server sends XIM_PREEDIT_DONE message to call the
XIMPreeditDoneCallback function.
XIM_PREEDIT_DONE (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4.20.4. Preedit state notify
XIM_PREEDITSTATE (IM Server -> IM Library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 BITMASK32 XIMPreeditState
#x0000000 XIMPreeditUnknown
#x0000001 XIMPreeditEnable
#x0000002 XIMPreeditDisable
XIM_PREEDITSTATE message is used to call the XIMPreedit-
StateNotifyCallback function.
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4.20.5. Status Callbacks
The IM Server sends XIM_STATUS_START message to call the
XIMStatusStartCallback function.
XIM_STATUS_START (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
The IM Server sends XIM_STATUS_DRAW message to call the XIM-
StatusDrawCallback function.
XIM_STATUS_DRAW (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 CARD32 type
#0 XIMTextType
#1 XIMBitmapType
If type is XIMTextType, the arguments continue as fol-
lows.
4 BITMASK32 status
#x0000001 no string
#x0000002 no feedback
2 n length of status string
n STRING8 status string
p unused, p = Pad(2+n)
2 m byte length of feedback array
2 unused
m LISTofXIMFEEDBACK feedback array
If type is XIMBitmapType, the arguments continue as
follows.
4 PIXMAP pixmap data
The field ``type'' corresponds to the field in XIMStatus-
DrawCallbackStruct.
The IM Server sends XIM_STATUS_DONE message to call the XIM-
StatusDoneCallback function.
XIM_STATUS_DONE (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
5. Acknowledgements
This document represents the culmination of several years of
debate and experiments done under the auspices of the MIT X
Consortium i18n working group. Although this was a group
effort, the author remains responsible for any errors or
omissions.
We would like to thank to all members of this group. And we
would like to make special thanks to the following people
(in alphabetical order) for their participation in the IM
Protocol design, Hector Chan, Takashi Fujiwara, Yoshio Hori-
uchi, Makoto Inada, Hiromu Inukai, Mickael Kung, Seiji
Kuwari, Franky Ling, Hiroyuki Machida, Hiroyuki Miyamoto,
Frank Rojas, Bob Scheifler, Makiko Shimamura, Shoji
Sugiyama, Hidetoshi Tajima, Masaki Takeuchi, Makoto Waka-
matsu, Masaki Wakao, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Shigeru Yamada, Kat-
suhisa Yano, Jinsoo Yoon.
6. References
All of the following documents are X Consortium standards
available from MIT:
[1] Scheifler, Robert W., ``X Window System Protocol Version
11''
[2] Scheifler, Robert W. etc., ``Xlib - C Language X Inter-
face''
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Appendix A
Common Extensions
Extension opcodes and packet names (e.g.
XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK ) for additional extensions may be
registered with X Consortium. The following is a commonly
well-known extended packet.
(1) Extension to manipulate the event handling
XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK message specifies the set of event
masks that the IM library should manipulate.
XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK (IM Server -> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
4 EVENTMASK filter-event-mask (*1)
4 EVENTMASK intercept-event-mask (*2)
4 EVENTMASK select-event-mask (*3)
4 EVENTMASK forward-event-mask (*4)
4 EVENTMASK synchronous-event-mask (*5)
(*1) Specify the events to be neglected by the IM
library via XFilterEvent.
(*2) Specify the events to be deselected by the IM
library with XSelectInput.
(*3) Specify the events to be selected by the IM
library with XSelectInput.
(*4) Specify all the events to be forwarded to the IM
Server by the IM library.
(*5) Specify the events to be forwarded with syn-
chronous flag on by the IM library.
The IM library must reply XIM_SYNC_REPLY message to the IM
Server. This request is valid after the ic is created.
(2) Extension for improvement of performance
The following requests may be used for improvement of per-
formance.
XIM_EXT_FORWARD_KEYEVENT message may be used instead of
XIM_FORWARD_EVENT message.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_EXT_FORWARD_KEYEVENT (IM Server <--> IM library)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 BITMASK16 flag
#0001 synchronous
2 CARD16 sequence number
1 BYTE xEvent.u.u.type
1 BYTE keycode
2 CARD16 state
4 CARD32 time
4 CARD32 window
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_EXT_MOVE message may be used to change the spot location
instead of XIM_SET_IC_VALUES message. It is effective only
if the client specified XIMPreeditPosition.
XIM_EXT_MOVE (IM library -> IM Server)
2 CARD16 input-method-ID
2 CARD16 input-context-ID
2 INT16 X
2 INT16 Y
XIM_EXT_MOVE message is a asynchronous request.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Appendix B
The list of transport specific IM Server address format registered
The following format represents the ATOM contained in
XIM_SERVERS property and the string returned from the
request converting selection target LOCALES and TRANSPORT.
``{@category=[value,...]}...''
The following categories are currently registered.
server : IM Server name (used for XIM_SERVERS)
locale : XPG4 locale name (LOCALES)
transport : transport-specific name (TRANSPORT)
The preregistered formats for transport-specific names are
as follows:
TCP/IP Names
The following syntax should be used for system
internal domain names:
<local name> ::= ``local/''<hostname>``:''<pathname>
Where <pathname> is a path name of socket address.
IM Server's name should be set to <pathname> to
run multiple IM Server at the same time
The following syntax should be used for Internet
domain names:
<TCP name> ::= ``tcp/''<hostname>``:''<ipportnumber>
where <hostname> is either symbolic (such as
expo.lcs.mit.edu) or numeric decimal (such as
18.30.0.212). The <ipportnumber> is the port on
which the IM Server is listening for connections.
For example:
tcp/expo.lcs.mit.edu:8012
tcp/18.30.0.212:7890
DECnet Names
The following syntax should be used for DECnet
names:
40
X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
<DECnet name> ::= ``decnet/''<nodename>``::IMSERVER$''<objname>
where <nodename> is either symbolic (such as
SRVNOD) or the numeric decimal form of the DECnet
address (such as 44.70). The <objname> is normal,
case-insensitive DECnet object name. For example:
DECNET/SRVNOD::IMSERVER$DEFAULT
decnet/44.70::IMSERVER$other
X Names
The following syntax should be used for X names:
<X name> ::= ``X/''
If a given category has multiple values, the value is evalu-
ated in order of setting.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Appendix C
Protocol number
Major Protocol number
XIM_CONNECT #001
XIM_CONNECT_REPLY #002
XIM_DISCONNECT #003
XIM_DISCONNECT_REPLY #004
XIM_AUTH_REQUIRED #010
XIM_AUTH_REPLY #011
XIM_AUTH_NEXT #012
XIM_AUTH_SETUP #013
XIM_AUTH_NG #014
XIM_ERROR #020
XIM_OPEN #030
XIM_OPEN_REPLY #031
XIM_CLOSE #032
XIM_CLOSE_REPLY #033
XIM_REGISTER_TRIGGERKEYS #034
XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY #035
XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY_REPLY #036
XIM_SET_EVENT_MASK #037
XIM_ENCODING_NEGOTIATION #038
XIM_ENCODING_NEGOTIATION_REPLY #039
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION #040
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION_REPLY #041
XIM_SET_IM_VALUES #042
XIM_SET_IM_VALUES_REPLY #043
XIM_GET_IM_VALUES #044
XIM_GET_IM_VALUES_REPLY #045
XIM_CREATE_IC #050
XIM_CREATE_IC_REPLY #051
XIM_DESTROY_IC #052
XIM_DESTROY_IC_REPLY #053
XIM_SET_IC_VALUES #054
XIM_SET_IC_VALUES_REPLY #055
XIM_GET_IC_VALUES #056
XIM_GET_IC_VALUES_REPLY #057
XIM_SET_IC_FOCUS #058
XIM_UNSET_IC_FOCUS #059
XIM_FORWARD_EVENT #060
XIM_SYNC #061
XIM_SYNC_REPLY #062
XIM_COMMIT #063
XIM_RESET_IC #064
XIM_RESET_IC_REPLY #065
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
XIM_GEOMETRY #070
XIM_STR_CONVERSION #071
XIM_STR_CONVERSION_REPLY #072
XIM_PREEDIT_START #073
XIM_PREEDIT_START_REPLY #074
XIM_PREEDIT_DRAW #075
XIM_PREEDIT_CARET #076
XIM_PREEDIT_CARET_REPLY #077
XIM_PREEDIT_DONE #078
XIM_STATUS_START #079
XIM_STATUS_DRAW #080
XIM_STATUS_DONE #081
XIM_PREEDITSTATE #082
(*) The IM Server's extension protocol number should be more
than #128.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Appendix D
Implementation Tips
(1) FrontEnd Method
FrontEnd method is recognized as a performance acceleration
by the trade off of the variety of the reliability.
In order to use the FrontEnd method, the IM library must
query the IM Server to see if the FrontEnd extension is
available. The query is made by using the XIM_QUERY_EXTEN-
SION message. The IM Server may send XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK
message with intercept-event-mask, forward-event-mask, and
synchronous-event-mask values set after replying
XIM_QUERY_EXTENSION_REPLY message.
FrontEnd method can be implemented in a couple of ways
depending on how the IM Server utilize
XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK message.
One approach is to update both of the input mask and the
filter-event-mask depending on the preeidting state. The
sample protocol sequence using the static event flow is as
follows:
... 1.675 6.888 6.237 10.296 ... 0.000i 3.408i 4.562i 0.000i
IM library IM Server
Keys in the on-key-list |
_________-|_XIM_FORWARD_EVENT |
|_________________ |
|XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK
event mask is changedrcept-event-maskvistsetsk is changed
to deselect the event |to select the event
| |
| |_______
| |--
| | X events directly come
| | to the IM Server.
| | when preediting is turning off
|_________________ |
event mask is changedT_SET_EVENT_MASKevent mask is changed
to select the eventlect-event-mask istseteselect the event
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
To pursuit a maximum performance regardless of the preedit-
ing mode, the IM Server may use the dynamic event flow with
the following sample protocol sequence.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
... 1.675 6.888 6.237 10.296 ... 0.000i 3.408i 4.562i 0.000i
IM library IM Server
Keys in the on-key-list |
_________-|_XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY |
|_________________ |
|XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK
event mask is changedrcept-event-maskvistsetsk is changed
to deselect theXeventIGGER_NOTIFY_REPLYselect the event
|_________________ |
| |_______
| |--
| | X events directly come
| | to the IM Server.
| | when preediting is turning off
|_________________ |
event mask is changedT_SET_EVENT_MASKevent mask is changed
to select the eventlect-event-mask istseteselect the event
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
This method can reduce the XIM protocol traffic dramatically
by updating intercept-event-mask and select-event-mask
accordingly. The tradeoff of this performance improvement
is that the key events may be lost or disordered in some
particular situation, such as when the user types the key-
board in following sequence really fast:
<preediting on key>``some strings''<preediting off
key>``another string''
Since this method requires the input mask updates to the
both the IM Server and Xlib when turning on and off the
preediting, and there is a time lag till the requests take
effect when two client issues the input mask updates simul-
taneously.
Another approach of the FrontEnd method is to update the
filter-event-mask depending on the preediting state and not
to update the input mask. The IM Server must register both
of the preediting on key list and off key list by XIM_REGIS-
TER_TRIGGERKEYS message. In this method, Both the IM Server
and the IM client select the same events on the same
client's window, so that the events are delivered to both of
the IM Server and the client. The preediting on and off
states are expressed by whether the key events are filtered
or not. The sample protocol sequence are as follows:
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
<<Using static event flow>>
... 1.488 7.325 6.487 10.358 ... 0.000i 3.033i 4.999i 0.000i
IM library IM Server
Keys in the_on-key-lXIM_FORWARD_EVENT |__Keys_in_the on-key-list
| _________________- |--
| XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK
the specified eventsr-event-mask istsetspecified events
are being filtered | are being processed
| |
| |
Keys in the off-key-list | Keys in the off-key-list
_________| |__________
| _________________ |
| XIfilter-event-maskAis set
| |
the specified events | the specified events
are being processed | are being discarded
| |
| |
| |
| |
<<Using the dynamic event flow>>
... 1.488 7.325 6.487 10.358 ... 0.000i 3.033i 4.999i 0.000i
IM library IM Server
Keys in the_on-key-list_TRIGGER_NOTIFY |__Keys_in_the on-key-list
| _________________- |--
| XIM_EXT_SET_EVENT_MASK
the specified eventsr-event-mask istsetspecified events
are being filtered | are being processed
| XIM_TRIGGER_NOTIFY_REPLY
| _________________ |
Keys in the off-key-list | Keys in the off-key-list
_________| |__________
| _________________ |
| XIfilter-event-maskAis set
| |
the specified events | the specified events
are being processed | are being discarded
| |
| |
| |
| |
This method does not have the problem of the time lag when
going across the preediting on and off mode, however, the
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
amount of the performance acceleration is not as good as the
method described above.
In general, the FrontEnd method requires some synchroniza-
tion to some of the X protocols, such as the ChangeWindowAt-
tribute protocol for the event mask change or the GrabKey
protocol, since it relies on the X's principal event dis-
patching mechanism. Any X protocol bindings do not consider
the synchronization might cause some mis-synchronization
between the IM clients and the IM Server.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
(2) Transport Layer
The Xlib XIM implementation is layered into three functions,
a protocol layer, an interface layer and a transport layer.
The purpose of this layering is to make the protocol inde-
pendent of transport implementation. Each function of these
layers are:
The protocol layer
implements overall function of XIM and calls the
interface layer functions when it needs to commu-
nicate to IM Server.
The interface layer
separates the implementation of the transport
layer from the protocol layer, in other words, it
provides implementation independent hook for the
transport layer functions.
The transport layer
handles actual data communication with IM Server.
It is done by a set of several functions named
transporters.
The interface layer and the transport layer make various
communication channels usable such as X Protocol, TCP/IP,
DECnet or STREAM. The following is a sample implementation
for the transporter using the X connection. Refer to
"xtrans" for the transporter using Socket Transport.
At the beginning of the X Transport connection for the XIM
transport mechanism, two different windows must be created
either in an Xlib XIM or in an IM Server, with which the
Xlib and the IM Server exchange the XIM transports by using
the ClientMessage events and Window Properties. In the fol-
lowing, the window created by the Xlib is referred as the
"client communication window", and on the other hand, the
window created by the IM Server is referred as the "IMS com-
munication window".
Connection
In order to establish a connection, a communication
window is created. A ClientMessage in the following
event's format is sent to the owner window of
XIM_SERVER selection, which the IM Server has created.
Refer to "The Input Method Protocol" for the XIM_SERVER
atom.
Table D-1; The ClientMessage sent to the IMS window.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | IMS Window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_XCONNECT'', False)
int format | 32
long data.l[0] | client communication window ID
long data.l[1] | client-major-transport-version (*1)
long data.l[2] | client-major-transport-version (*1)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
In order to establish the connection (to notify the IM
Server communication window), the IM Server sends a
ClientMessage in the following event's format to the
client communication window.
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Table D-2; The ClientMessage sent by IM Server.
-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | client communication window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_XCONNECT'', False)
int format | 32
long data.l[0] | IMS communication window ID
long data.l[1] | server-major-transport-version (*1)
long data.l[2] | server-minor-transport-version (*1)
long data.l[3] | dividing size between ClientMessage and Property (*2)
-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
(*1) major/minor-transport-version
The read/write method is decided by the com-
bination of major/minor-transport-version, as
follows:
Table D-3; The read/write method and the major/minor-transport-version
+------------------+---------------------------------------+
|Transport-version | read/write |
+--------+---------+---------------------------------------+
| major | minor | |
+--------+---------+---------------------------------------+
| 0 | 0 | only-CM & Property-with-CM |
| | 1 | only-CM & multi-CM |
| | 2 | only-CM & multi-CM & Property-with-CM |
+--------+---------+---------------------------------------+
| 1 | 0 | PropertyNotify |
+--------+---------+---------------------------------------+
| 2 | 0 | only-CM & PropertyNotify |
| | 1 | only-CM & multi-CM & PropertyNotify |
+--------+---------+---------------------------------------+
only-CM : data is sent via a ClientMessage
multi-CM : data is sent via multiple ClientMessages
Property-with-CM : data is written in Property, and its Atom
is send via ClientMessage
PropertyNotify : data is written in Property, and its Atom
is send via PropertyNotify
The method to decide major/minor-transport-version
is as follows:
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
(1) The client sends 0 as major/minor-transport-
version to the IM Server. The client must
support all methods in Table D-3. The client
may send another number as major/minor-trans-
port-version to use other method than the
above in the future.
(2) The IM Server sends its major/minor-trans-
port-version number to the client. The client
sends data using the method specified by the
IM Server.
(3) If major/minor-transport-version number is
not available, it is regarded as 0.
(*2) dividing size between ClientMessage and Property
If data is sent via both of multi-CM and
Property, specify the dividing size between
ClientMessage and Property. The data, which
is smaller than this size, is sent via multi-
CM (or only-CM), and the data, which is lager
than this size, is sent via Property.
read/write
The data is transferred via either ClientMessage or
Window Property in the X Window System.
Format for the data from the Client to the IM Server
ClientMessage
If data is sent via ClientMessage event, the for-
mat is as follows:
Table D-4; The ClientMessage event's format (first
or middle)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | IMS communication window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_MOREDATA'', False)
int format | 8
char data.b[20] | (read/write DATA : 20 byte)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Table D-5; The ClientMessage event's format (only
or last)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | IMS communication window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_PROTOCOL'', False)
int format | 8
char data.b[20] | (read/write DATA : MAX 20 byte) (*1)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
(*1) If the data is smaller than 20 byte, all data
other than available data must be 0.
Property
In the case of large data, data will be sent via
the Window Property for the efficiency. There are
the following two methods to notify Property, and
transport-version is decided which method is used.
(1) The XChangeProperty function is used to store
data in the client communication window, and
Atom of the stored data is notified to the IM
Server via ClientMessage event.
(2) The XChangeProperty function is used to store
data in the client communication window, and
Atom of the stored data is notified to the IM
Server via PropertyNotify event.
The arguments of the XChangeProperty are as fol-
lows:
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Table D-6; The XChangeProperty event's format
--------------------+--------------------------------
Argument | Contents
--------------------+--------------------------------
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | IMS communication window ID
Atom property | read/write property Atom (*1)
Atom type | XA_STRING
int format | 8
int mode | PropModeAppend
u_char *data | read/write DATA
int nelements | length of DATA
--------------------+--------------------------------
(*1) The read/write property ATOM allocates the
following strings by XInternAtom.
``_clientXXX''
The client changes the property with the mode of
PropModeAppend and the IM Server will read it with
the delete mode i.e. (delete = True).
If Atom is notified via ClientMessage event, the
format of the ClientMessage is as follows:
Table D-7; The ClientMessage event's format to
send Atom of property
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | IMS communication window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_PROTOCOL'', False)
int format | 32
long data.l[0] | length of read/write property Atom
long data.l[1] | read/write property Atom
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Format for the data from the IM Server to the Client
ClientMessage
The format of the ClientMessage is as follows:
Table D-8; The ClientMessage event's format (first
or middle)
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | client communication window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_MOREDATA'', False)
int format | 8
char data.b[20] | (read/write DATA : 20 byte)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Table D-9; The ClientMessage event's format (only
or last)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | client communication window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_PROTOCOL'', False)
int format | 8
char data.b[20] | (read/write DATA : MAX 20 byte) (*1)
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
(*1) If the data size is smaller than 20 bytes,
all data other than available data must be 0.
Property
In the case of large data, data will be sent via
the Window Property for the efficiency. There are
the following two methods to notify Property, and
transport-version is decided which method is used.
(1) The XChangeProperty function is used to store
data in the IMS communication window, and
Atom of the property is sent via the
ClientMessage event.
(2) The XChangeProperty function is used to store
data in the IMS communication window, and
Atom of the property is sent via PropertyNo-
tify event.
The arguments of the XChangeProperty are as fol-
lows:
Table D-10; The XChangeProperty event's format
--------------------+----------------------------------
Argument | Contents
--------------------+----------------------------------
Display *display | The display which to connects
Window window | client communication window ID
Atom property | read/write property Atom (*1)
Atom type | XA_STRING
int format | 8
int mode | PropModeAppend
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
--------------------+----------------------------------
Argument | Contents
--------------------+----------------------------------
u_char *data | read/write DATA
int nelements | length of DATA
--------------------+----------------------------------
(*1) The read/write property ATOM allocates some
strings, which are not allocated by the
client, by XInternAtom.
The IM Server changes the property with the mode
of PropModeAppend and the client reads it with the
delete mode, i.e. (delete = True).
If Atom is notified via ClientMessage event, the
format of the ClientMessage is as follows:
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Table D-11; The ClientMessage event's format to
send Atom of property
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Structure Member | Contents
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
int type | ClientMessage
u_long serial | Set by the X Window System
Bool send_event | Set by the X Window System
Display *display | The display to which connects
Window window | client communication window ID
Atom message_type | XInternAtom(display, ``_XIM_PROTOCOL'', False)
int format | 32
long data.l[0] | length of read/write property ATOM
long data.l[1] | read/write property ATOM
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------
Closing Connection
If the client disconnect with the IM Server, shutdown
function should free the communication window proper-
ties and etc..
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X Input Method Protocol X11, Release 6.1
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2. Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3. Input Method Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1. Implementation Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2. Structure of IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3. Event Handling Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3.1. BackEnd Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3.2. FrontEnd Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4. Event Flow Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. Default Preconnection Convention . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1. Basic Requests Packet Format . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2. Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.3. Error Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.4. Connection Establishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.5. Event Flow Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.6. Encoding Negotiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.7. Query the supported extension protocol list . . . . 21
4.8. Setting IM Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.9. getting IM Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.10. Creating an IC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.11. Destroying the IC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.12. Setting IC Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.13. Getting IC Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.14. Setting IC Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.15. Unsetting IC Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.16. Filtering Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.17. Synchronizing with the IM Server . . . . . . . . . 29
4.18. Sending a committed string . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.19. Reset IC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.20. Callbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.20.1. Negotiating geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.20.2. Converting a string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.20.3. Preedit Callbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.20.4. Preedit state notify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.20.5. Status Callbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
6. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Appendix A - Common Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Appendix B - The list of transport specific IM
Server names registered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Appendix C - Protocol number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Appendix D - Implementation Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . 44