Writing system implementation
Writing system implementation (WSI) is a term coined by SIL International to refer "to a set of software components that allow computer users to process textual data in that script and language; making it possible, for instance, to enter data using a keyboard and display it on the screen. Because writing systems are language-specific, there is no guarantee that an implementation of a certain script on a computer will work for all languages that use that script." (SIL)
Development of WSIs depends on availability of information, such as:
- Design information and guidelines - both for alphabets and for specific letters/glyphs
- Linguistic information - how the script is used for specific languages
- Encoding details - particularly Unicode, including new Unicode proposals
- Script behaviour - how letters change shape and position in context
- Keyboarding conventions - including information on data entry tools
- Testing tools and sample texts - so developers can test their software, fonts, keyboards. (ScriptSource)
References
- ScriptSource, "About ScriptSource" http://scriptsource.org/about
- SIL, "Guidelines for Writing System Support: Components of a Writing System Implementation" http://scripts.sil.org/WSI_Guidelines_Sec_1