section_path: Methods of writing/Use with computers/Input methods
section_name: Input methods
paragraph_text: Input methods
  
  Chinese characters are predominantly input on computers using a standard keyboard. Many input methods (IMEs) are phonetic, where typists enter characters according to schemes like pinyin or bopomofo for Mandarin, Jyutping for Cantonese, or Hepburn for Japanese. For example, 香港 (' Hong Kong ') could be input as xiang1gang3 using pinyin, or as hoeng1gong2 using Jyutping.
  
  Character input methods may also be based on form, using the shape of characters and existing rules of handwriting to assign unique codes to each character, potentially increasing the speed of typing. Popular form-based input methods include Wubi on the mainland, and Cangjie —named after the mythological inventor of writing—in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Often, unnecessary parts are omitted from the encoding according to predictable rules. For example, 疆 (' border ') is encoded using the Cangjie method as NGMWM, which corresponds to the components 弓土一田一.
  
  Contextual constraints may be used to improve candidate character selection. When ignoring tones, 大学; 大學 and 大雪 are both transcribed as daxue; the system may prioritize which candidate should appear first based on the surrounding context.