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(Reorganize page content to prioritize instructing readers on how to set up an APL keyboard. It is very much a WIP (would like to add instructions for more desktop environments, for example))
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APL uses a large range of [[glyphs|special graphic symbols]] to represent most functions and operators. While keyboard mappings become memorized over time, entering APL characters can frustrate the beginner. However, a study involving high school students found that typing and using APL characters did not hinder the students in any measurable way. There are several convenient ways to enter the glyphs.
APL uses a large range of [[glyphs|special graphic symbols]] to represent most functions and operators. While keyboard mappings become memorized over time, entering APL characters can frustrate the beginner. However, a study involving high school students found that typing and using APL characters did not hinder the students in any measurable way. There are several convenient ways to enter the glyphs.
__TOC__
[[File:Dyalog US keyboard.jpg|thumb|right|US keyboard with [[Dyalog APL]] glyphs]]
== Hardware ==
A couple of keyboards are being sold with APL symbols pre-printed onto the key caps:
* Dyalog sells [https://www.dyalog.com/apl-font-keyboard.htm#mainContent US English, UK English, Danish and German keyboards].


== How to Set up an APL Keyboard ==
* Unicomp sells both [https://www.amazon.com/Unicomp-Classic-Buckling-Spring-Keyboard/dp/B01M7V3M61/ref=sr_1_8 entire keyboards] and [https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/USAPLSET separate key caps] for their keyboard range.


=== Linux ===
Note that these devices only are visual modifications on regular keyboards; they do not automatically enable entry of APL glyphs into software. For this, one of the below methods is required.


[[Geoff Streeter]] authored a paper, [https://www.dyalog.com/uploads/conference/dyalog10/presentations/P19_Streeter_Keyboards.pdf Supporting APL keyboards on Linux], which was presented at the [https://aplwiki.com/wiki/Dyalog_user_meeting#Dyalog_.2710 Dyalog '10] user meeting. In this paper, Geoff details how APL keyboards can be supported in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System X11] using <code>xkb</code>, the [https://www.x.org/wiki/XKB/ X Keyboard Extension].
== By platform ==


Most Linux distributions released after mid-2012 have [https://forums.dyalog.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=210 Dyalog keyboard support] included with the distribution.
[[File:Adám Brudzewsky's in-browser language bar.png|thumb|right|The in-browser language bar]]
=== Web ===


==== setxkbmap ====
[[Adám Brudzewsky]]'s [https://abrudz.github.io/lb/apl  in-browser language bar] adds APL keyboard functionality to most web pages on demand.
The simplest way to set up an APL keyboard on Linux is with the following <code>setxkbmap</code> command. Enter the following in your terminal emulator of choice:


<pre>
=== Text editors ===
setxkbmap -layout us,apl -variant ,dyalog -option grp:switch
</pre>


An explanation:
Keyboard layout extensions exist for several popular [[text editors]] like VS Code, Emacs and Vim. This can be an alternative, or complementary, to system-wide settings.


* <code>-layout us,apl</code> assigns <code>us</code> ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English U.S. English]) to be the primary layout, whereas <code>apl</code> is secondary
=== Linux ===
* <code>-option grp:switch</code> assigns <kbd>Right Alt</kbd> to switch to the secondary <code>apl</code> layout when it is pressed, otherwise <code>us</code> is used
{{Main|Typing glyphs on Linux}}
* <code>-variant ,dyalog</code> assigns the [[Dyalog APL]] variant to the <code>apl</code> layout which contains modifiations unique to the Dyalog language ('''Note the preceding comma''')


A full list of keys that can be used to switch layouts is included in <code>/usr/share/X11/xkb/rules/evdev.lst</code> under the <code>option</code> category.
Most Linux distributions released after mid-2012 have Dyalog keyboard support included with the distribution.


'''Note:''' these changes are not permanent; the user will have to select one of a myriad of methods to run the command on startup. Alternatively, if they use one of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment desktop environments] listed below, they can follow those instructions.
[[File:Hacker's Keyboard + APL language.png|thumb|right|Hacker's Keyboard + APL language]]
=== Android ===


==== Xfce ====
dzaima's [https://github.com/dzaima/hackerskeyboard Hacker's Keyboard + APL language] uses a [[wikipedia:Pointing_device_gesture#Touchpad_and_touchscreen_gestures|long-press]] to access APL glyphs.


A tutorial specific to Xfce's config files can be found [https://github.com/hashslingrz/apl-keyboard-xfce at this GitHub repository].
Optima Systems' [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.athoraya.aplkeys APL Keys] provides both QWERTY keyboard (which uses long-press to select from a list of alternate glyphs), a phone pad, and a symbol view.


=== Windows ===
=== Windows ===
* [[Adám Brudzewsky]]'s [https://github.com/abrudz/Kbd keyboard layouts for Windows], which uses <kbd>AltGr</kbd>.
* The [https://www.dyalog.com/apl-font-keyboard.htm#tab-1 Dyalog Unicode IME] uses <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>. It is also possible to install the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Input_method IME] alongside a regular [[Dyalog APL]] installation:
[[File:Dyalog_APL_Installer.png|frameless|Dyalog APL IME selected in installer]]


== Approaches to Layout and Input ==
* [[Adám Brudzewsky]] has [https://github.com/abrudz/Kbd various keyboard English layouts for Windows], which allow <kbd>AltGr</kbd> as shifting key, <kbd>`</kbd> as prefix key, or ASCII symbol composition.
 
* The [https://www.dyalog.com/apl-font-keyboard.htm#tab-1 Dyalog Unicode IME] uses <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>. Unless unselected, this [[wikipedia:Input_method|IME]] is installed by default with [[Dyalog APL]]:<br>[[File:Dyalog_APL_Installer.png|frameless|Dyalog APL IME selected in installer]]
 
== By method ==


Most of today's APLs use a mapping which derives from the original [[APL\360]] terminals' keyboard layout. For example, Dyalog APL's standard US English layout for is as follows:
Most of today's APLs use a mapping which derives from the original [[APL\360]] terminals' keyboard layout. For example, Dyalog APL's standard US English layout for is as follows:
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There are multiple ways to access the glyphs associated with a particular key.
There are multiple ways to access the glyphs associated with a particular key.
=== Text editors ===
Keyboard layout extensions exist for several popular [[text editors]] like VS Code, Emacs and Vim. This is in addition to the availability of the below system-wide settings.


=== Shifting key ===
=== Shifting key ===
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* [[APLX]] uses <kbd>AltGr</kbd> with an option to also use <kbd>Alt</kbd>
* [[APLX]] uses <kbd>AltGr</kbd> with an option to also use <kbd>Alt</kbd>
for example, openSUSE 12.2, Ubuntu 12.10 and Fedora 17.


=== Prefix key ===
=== Prefix key ===
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* [[Adám Brudzewsky]]'s [https://abrudz.github.io/lb/apl in-browser language bar] recognises all the following as prefix keys: <kbd>`</kbd>, <kbd>½</kbd>, <kbd>²</kbd>, <kbd>^</kbd>, <kbd><s>º</s></kbd>, <kbd>§</kbd>, <kbd>ù</kbd>, <kbd>µ</kbd>, <kbd>°</kbd>.
* [[Adám Brudzewsky]]'s [https://abrudz.github.io/lb/apl in-browser language bar] recognises all the following as prefix keys: <kbd>`</kbd>, <kbd>½</kbd>, <kbd>²</kbd>, <kbd>^</kbd>, <kbd><s>º</s></kbd>, <kbd>§</kbd>, <kbd>ù</kbd>, <kbd>µ</kbd>, <kbd>°</kbd>.


[[File:Dyalog US keyboard.jpg|thumb|right|US keyboard with [[Dyalog APL]] glyphs]]
[[File:RIDE keyword lookup.png|thumb|right|RIDE keyword lookup]]
=== Android keyboard ===
 
=== Long-press ===


* dzaima's [https://github.com/dzaima/hackerskeyboard Hacker's Keyboard + APL language] using long-press to access APL glyphs.
dzaima's [https://github.com/dzaima/hackerskeyboard Hacker's Keyboard + APL language] reacts to a [[wikipedia:Pointing_device_gesture#Touchpad_and_touchscreen_gestures|long-press]], popping up a palette that allows selecting any of the APL glyphs associated with that button.


=== Keyword look-up ===
=== Keyword look-up ===
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* The [https://github.com/Dyalog/ride/releases/latest Dyalog RIDE] (Remote Integrated Development Environment) allows hitting the prefix key (<kbd>`</kbd> by default, but configurable) twice, followed by the (beginning of the) name of a symbol or a functionality. It then displays a drop-down of choices with arrow keys to indicate choice and the Tab key to insert the symbol. E.g. <kbd>`</kbd>,<kbd>`</kbd>,<kbd>d</kbd>,<kbd>i</kbd>,<kbd>v</kbd>,<kbd>Tab↹</kbd> inserts <source lang=apl inline>÷</source>.
* The [https://github.com/Dyalog/ride/releases/latest Dyalog RIDE] (Remote Integrated Development Environment) allows hitting the prefix key (<kbd>`</kbd> by default, but configurable) twice, followed by the (beginning of the) name of a symbol or a functionality. It then displays a drop-down of choices with arrow keys to indicate choice and the Tab key to insert the symbol. E.g. <kbd>`</kbd>,<kbd>`</kbd>,<kbd>d</kbd>,<kbd>i</kbd>,<kbd>v</kbd>,<kbd>Tab↹</kbd> inserts <source lang=apl inline>÷</source>.


=== ASCII symbol combination ===
=== ASCII symbol composition ===


* Many APL glyphs can be approximated by overlaying or juxtaposing two ASCII characters. [[ngn/apl]]'s scripted demo interface and [https://abrudz.github.io/lb/apl Adám Brudzewsky's in-browser language bar] allow such a pair of characters and hitting the Tab key to replace them with the corresponding APL character. For example, <kbd><</kbd>,<kbd>-</kbd>,<kbd>Tab↹</kbd> will insert <source lang=apl inline>←</source> and <kbd>T</kbd>,<kbd>o</kbd>,<kbd>Tab↹</kbd> will insert <source lang=apl inline>⍕</source>.
* Many APL glyphs can be approximated by overlaying or juxtaposing two ASCII characters. [[ngn/apl]]'s scripted demo interface and [https://abrudz.github.io/lb/apl Adám Brudzewsky's in-browser language bar] allow such a pair of characters and hitting the <kbd>Tab↹</kbd> key to replace them with the corresponding APL character. For example, <kbd><</kbd>,<kbd>-</kbd>,<kbd>Tab↹</kbd> will insert <source lang=apl inline>←</source> and <kbd>T</kbd>,<kbd>o</kbd>,<kbd>Tab↹</kbd> will insert <source lang=apl inline>⍕</source>.


[[File:NARS2000 language bar.png|thumb|right|NARS2000 language bar]]
=== On-screen language bar ===
=== On-screen language bar ===


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* [[Dyalog APL]], [[NARS2000]], [[APL2]] and [[ngn/apl]]'s scripted demo interface  all have this feature.
* [[Dyalog APL]], [[NARS2000]], [[APL2]] and [[ngn/apl]]'s scripted demo interface  all have this feature.


==== Web browsers ====
=== LaTeX ===


* [[Adám Brudzewsky]]'s [https://abrudz.github.io/lb/apl  in-browser language bar] adds this to most web pages on demand.
In order to typeset APL using LaTeX, you need to be sure your LaTeX engine has full Unicode support. At the time of writing, LuaLaTeX and XeLaTeX are two of the most popular such alternatives, both included with TeX Live.


{{APL development}}
After ensuring you have a LaTeX engine that is Unicode capable, you need to make sure your .tex document is using a [[Fonts|font]] that has the APL glyphs you want to type. One way to do this is through the fontspec package, as seen in the example template below.
{{APL glyphs}}
 
[[Category:APL character set]]
To check your setup is fully functional you can try compiling the following template:
[[File:LaTeX APL template.png|thumb|right|Screenshot of the typeset document]]
<source lang=latex>
\documentclass[11pt]{article}
 
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{APL385 Unicode}
\setmonofont{APL385 Unicode}[Scale=MatchLowercase]
 
\begin{document}
 
I just want some ← +-×÷*⍟⌹○!? |⌈⌊⊥⊤⊣⊢ =≠≤<>≥≡≢ ∨∧⍲⍱ ↑↓⊂⊃⊆⌷⍋⍒ ⍳⍸∊⍷∪∩~ /\textbackslash⌿⍀ ,⍪⍴⌽⊖⍉ ¨⍨⍣.∘⍤⍥@ ⍞⎕⍠⌸⌺⌶⍎⍕ ⋄⍝→⍵⍺∇\& ¯⍬
 
\texttt{The ``setmonofont'' was needed because of this, otherwise ⍺⌊¯→⍬ wouldn't show properly}.


\end{document}
</source>


== Hardware APL keyboard ==
Depending on whether you want the whole document to use the APL font or not, you may remove the command to set the main font. If you do so, APL glyphs will be rendered correctly inside code listings and similar environments, but not in the main body of the document.


A couple of hardware keyboards are being sold with APL symbols pre-printed onto the key caps:
==== Listings ====


* Dyalog sells [https://www.dyalog.com/apl-font-keyboard.htm#mainContent US English, UK English, and Danish keyboards].
LuaLaTeX and XeLaTeX can use the [https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/LaTeX/Source_Code_Listings ''listings'' package] to include APL source with the following document preamble:<ref>Baker, John D. [https://analyzethedatanotthedrivel.org/2011/08/15/typesetting-utf8-apl-code-with-the-latex-lstlisting-package/ Typesetting UTF8 APL code with the LaTeX lstlisting package]. Analyze the Data not the Drivel. August 15, 2011.</ref>
<source lang=latex>
% set lstlisting to accept UTF8 APL text
\makeatletter
\lst@InputCatcodes
\def\lst@DefEC{%
\lst@CCECUse \lst@ProcessLetter
  ^^80^^81^^82^^83^^84^^85^^86^^87^^88^^89^^8a^^8b^^8c^^8d^^8e^^8f%
  ^^90^^91^^92^^93^^94^^95^^96^^97^^98^^99^^9a^^9b^^9c^^9d^^9e^^9f%
  ^^a0^^a1^^a2^^a3^^a4^^a5^^a6^^a7^^a8^^a9^^aa^^ab^^ac^^ad^^ae^^af%
  ^^b0^^b1^^b2^^b3^^b4^^b5^^b6^^b7^^b8^^b9^^ba^^bb^^bc^^bd^^be^^bf%
  ^^c0^^c1^^c2^^c3^^c4^^c5^^c6^^c7^^c8^^c9^^ca^^cb^^cc^^cd^^ce^^cf%
  ^^d0^^d1^^d2^^d3^^d4^^d5^^d6^^d7^^d8^^d9^^da^^db^^dc^^dd^^de^^df%
  ^^e0^^e1^^e2^^e3^^e4^^e5^^e6^^e7^^e8^^e9^^ea^^eb^^ec^^ed^^ee^^ef%
  ^^f0^^f1^^f2^^f3^^f4^^f5^^f6^^f7^^f8^^f9^^fa^^fb^^fc^^fd^^fe^^ff%
  ^^^^20ac^^^^0153^^^^0152%
  ^^^^20a7^^^^2190^^^^2191^^^^2192^^^^2193^^^^2206^^^^2207^^^^220a%
  ^^^^2218^^^^2228^^^^2229^^^^222a^^^^2235^^^^223c^^^^2260^^^^2261%
  ^^^^2262^^^^2264^^^^2265^^^^2282^^^^2283^^^^2296^^^^22a2^^^^22a3%
  ^^^^22a4^^^^22a5^^^^22c4^^^^2308^^^^230a^^^^2336^^^^2337^^^^2339%
  ^^^^233b^^^^233d^^^^233f^^^^2340^^^^2342^^^^2347^^^^2348^^^^2349%
  ^^^^234b^^^^234e^^^^2350^^^^2352^^^^2355^^^^2357^^^^2359^^^^235d%
  ^^^^235e^^^^235f^^^^2361^^^^2362^^^^2363^^^^2364^^^^2365^^^^2368%
  ^^^^236a^^^^236b^^^^236c^^^^2371^^^^2372^^^^2373^^^^2374^^^^2375%
  ^^^^2377^^^^2378^^^^237a^^^^2395^^^^25af^^^^25ca^^^^25cb%
  ^^00}
\lst@RestoreCatcodes
\makeatother
</source>


* Unicomp sells both [https://www.amazon.com/Unicomp-Classic-Buckling-Spring-Keyboard/dp/B01M7V3M61/ref=sr_1_8 entire keyboards] and [https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/USAPLSET separate key caps] for their keyboard range.
== References ==
<references/>
{{APL development}}
{{APL glyphs}}
[[Category:APL character set]][[Category:Lists]]
Retrieved from ‘https://aplwiki.com/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/4385...6596’

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