1. In a computer, a method comprising the steps of: assigning a same symbol to each of a text expansion, a program, and a function, wherein the same symbol is assigned as a shorthand entry of each of the text expansion, the program, and the function; receiving handwritten user input; determining that the handwritten user input represents the symbol; determining that the handwritten user input is a sole input, wherein the sole input does not have associated with it another user input; and based on the handwritten user input comprising the sole input, carrying out the function by generating an output.