Input method keymaps

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The input method provides support for user-defined imkeymaps, allowing you to customize input method mapping. The input methods support imkeymaps for each locale. The file name for imkeymaps is similar to that of input methods, except that the suffix for imkeymap files is .imkeymap instead of .im.

This example uses the Italian input method to illustrate how you can customize your imkeymap file:

  1. Copy the default imkeymap source file to your $HOME directory by typing: 
    cd $HOME
cp /usr/lib/nls/loc/it_IT.ISO8859-1.imkeymap.src .
  2. Edit the imkeymap source file following the default file format by typing: 
    vi it_IT.ISO8859-1.imkeymap.src
  3. Compile the imkeymap source file by typing: 
    keycomp < it_IT.ISO8859-1.imkeymap.src > it_IT.ISO8859-1.imkeymap
  4. Make sure the LOCPATH environment variable specifies $HOME before /usr/lib/nls/loc by typing: 
    LOCPATH=$HOME:$LOCPATH
    Note: All setuid and setgid programs ignore the LOCPATH environment variable.