How to Create a APL or Math Symbols Keyboard Layout ⌨

This page shows you how to create a APL (programming language) keyboard layout, for {Windows, Mac OS X, Linux}. Or, you can create a math symbols layout for computer languages such as Fortress, Scheme Lisp, Haskell, LaTeX/XeTeX, or simply as a system to type math symbols in plain text.

APL Keyboard Layout

APL Symbols in Unicode

Here's a complete list of APL symbols in Unicode.

¯ × ÷ ∘ ∣ ∼ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≬ ⌶ ⋆ ⌾ ⍟ ⌽ ⍉ ⍝ ⍦ ⍧ ⍪ ⍫ ⍬ ⍭ ← ↑ → ↓ ∆ ∇ ∧ ∨ ∩ ∪ ⌈ ⌊ ⊤ ⊥ ⊂ ⊃ ⌿ ⍀ ⍅ ⍆ ⍏ ⍖ ⍊ ⍑ ⍋ ⍒ ⍎ ⍕ ⍱ ⍲ ○

⍳ ⍴ ⍵ ⍺

⍶ ⍷ ⍸ ⍹ ⍘ ⍙ ⍚ ⍛ ⍜ ⍮

¨ ⍡ ⍢ ⍣ ⍤ ⍥ ⍨ ⍩

⎕ ⍞ ⍠ ⍯ ⍰ ⍌ ⍍ ⍐ ⍓ ⍔ ⍗ ⌷ ⌸ ⌹ ⌺ ⌻ ⌼ ⍁ ⍂ ⍃ ⍄ ⍇ ⍈

APL Symbols Meaning

See: APL Symbols Meaning.

Math Symbols and Arrows in Unicode

For other math symbols, such as ∑ ∫ ⊕ ⇒ ↦, see:

• Unicode: Math Symbols ∑ ∞ ∫ π ∈ ℝ²
• Unicode Arrows → ⇒ ⇄ ↑ ↩ ⤢ ↱ ↷ ↻ ► ☛

Unicode Font

First you need to have Unicode font. The DejaVu font has all APL symbols. See: Best Unicode Fonts for Programing.

Creating Your Own Unicode Layout for {Windows, Mac, Linux}

for Mac OS X, see: Mac OS X: How to Create Keyboard Layout and Keybinding ⌨

for Windows, i haven't tried but Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator may work. See: Keyboard Layout and Key Macro Software for Windows ⌨

Linux, i haven't tried but see: Linux: Keyboard Tools for Key Layout, Keymapping, Keybinding ⌨

Using Emacs

Insert by Key Combo

You can set your keys to inserts a math symbol. Here's a example:

;; some Hyper keys to insert Unicode chars
(define-key key-translation-map (kbd "H-3") (kbd "•")) ; bullet
(define-key key-translation-map (kbd "H-4") (kbd "◇")) ; white diamond
(define-key key-translation-map (kbd "H-5") (kbd "†")) ; dagger

See: Emacs: How to Define Super ＆ Hyper Keys.

;; example of systematic keys to insert math symbols
(global-set-key (kbd "<f9> <right>") "→")
(global-set-key (kbd "<f9> a") "α")
(global-set-key (kbd "<f9> b") "β")
(global-set-key (kbd "<f9> t") "θ")

this method of input is:

• fastest for inputing symbols. Direct key press.
• good if you have less than 50 symbols.
• not good if you have hundreds of symbols, because it's hard to memorize keys.

For more detail, see: Emacs: How to Define Keys.

Insert by Abbrev

You can insert Unicode by abbrev. ⁖ typing alpha becomes α. For how, see: Using Emacs's Abbrev Mode for Abbreviation.

This method is:

• good for hundreds of symbols, because this method lets you type the name of the symbol, and is easy to remember.
• slow

Insert by Short Code and a Activation Key

This package lets you type a short code, from 1 to 4 letters, then press 【⇧ Shift+Space】 to change it to a math symbol. See: Math Symbols Input Mode (xmsi-mode).