1. A process for inputting characters comprising the steps of: receiving a first input from a user, the first input including operation of a first single key on a QWERTY keyboard, wherein the operation of the first single key toggles a selection between a character-based language mode and a symbol-based language mode; in response to selection of the symbol-based language mode, presenting a composition window for entry of a second input using the QWERTY keyboard, for displaying completed symbols in response to entry of the second input and for displaying a candidate window for candidate symbols associated with the second input; receiving the second input from the user, wherein the second input includes entry of characters by operation of distinct keys once for each character on the QWERTY keyboard to spell a phonetic syllable representing a symbol and to generate a list of candidate symbols in the composition window based on the entry of characters using the QWERTY keyboard to spell the phonetic syllable; and selecting a symbol from the candidate list for placement in the display of completed symbols.
1. A process for inputting characters comprising the steps of: receiving a first input from a user, the first input including operation of a first single key on a QWERTY keyboard, wherein the operation of the first single key toggles a selection between a character-based language mode and a symbol-based language mode; in response to selection of the symbol-based language mode, presenting a composition window for entry of a second input using the QWERTY keyboard, for displaying completed symbols in response to entry of the second input and for displaying a candidate window for candidate symbols associated with the second input; receiving the second input from the user, wherein the second input includes entry of characters by operation of distinct keys once for each character on the QWERTY keyboard to spell a phonetic syllable representing a symbol and to generate a list of candidate symbols in the composition window based on the entry of characters using the QWERTY keyboard to spell the phonetic syllable; and selecting a symbol from the candidate list for placement in the display of completed symbols. 2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the operation of the first single key toggles a selection between a character-based language mode and a symbol-based language mode further comprises switching between an English input mode and a Chinese input mode.