Editing Compose key (section)

==Compose sequences==

If the Compose key is not also a [[modifier key]], then [[key rollover]] means the compose key does not have to be released before the subsequent keystrokes. This makes it possible for experienced typists to enter composed characters rapidly.

Earlier versions of compose sequences followed handwriting and the [[overstrike]] technique by putting the letter first and diacritics second. For example {{key press|Compose|n|~|chain=}} produced the character [[ñ]]. This order is still in use,<ref name="Lol Engine">{{cite web |url=http://lolengine.net/blog/2012/06/17/compose-key-on-os-x |title=Setting up a Real Compose Key on Mac OS X |website=Lol Engine |date=2012-06-18 |access-date=2015-07-07 |archive-date=2020-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622230501/http://lolengine.net/blog/2012/06/17/compose-key-on-os-x |url-status=dead }}</ref> however the inverse order known from accent-mark [[dead key]]s present on the last [[typewriter]]s is used today: {{key press|Compose|~|n|chain=}} for [[ñ]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soft.zoneo.net/Linux/compose_key.php |title=Enter european accented characters on an american keyboard |website=ZoneO Software |date=June 2006 |access-date=2015-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418003212/http://soft.zoneo.net/Linux/compose_key.php |archive-date=2015-04-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This allows multiple diacritics, for instance typing {{key press|Compose|'|^|a|chain=}} for [[ấ]].

Non-accented characters are generally constructed from letters that when overtyped or sequenced would produce something like the character. For instance {{key press|Compose|o|c|chain=}} will produce the [[copyright symbol]] ©, and {{key press|Compose|A|E|chain=}} will produce [[Æ]].

There is no intrinsic limit on sequence length, which should respect both the rules of ''mnemonics'' and ''ergonomics'', and ''feasibility'' within a comprehensive compose tree. For example, {{unichar|278C|DINGBAT NEGATIVE CIRCLED SANS-SERIF DIGIT THREE}} might be inserted by {{key press|Compose|@|%|$|3|chain=}}, where {{key press|@}} indicates circled characters,<ref>{{key press|@}} is suggested for circled characters, rather than {{key press|o}}, so that {{key press|Compose|@|c|chain=}} can yield {{unichar|24D2|circled latin small letter c}}, while {{key press|Compose|o|c|chain=}} yields {{unichar|00A9|copyright sign}}.</ref> {{key press|%}} indicates inverse, {{key press|$}} indicates sans-serif, and {{key press|3}} indicates the final character.