In this article, the topic of Text Services Framework will be addressed, which has gained great relevance in recent years. Text Services Framework is a topic that has aroused the interest of experts and the general public, due to its impact on different areas of society. Throughout this article, different aspects related to Text Services Framework will be explored, from its origin to its evolution today. The impact that Text Services Framework has had in various sectors will be analyzed, as well as the future perspectives that are envisioned around this topic. In addition, different positions and perspectives of experts in the field will be presented, with the aim of providing a broad and complete vision of Text Services Framework.
Developer(s) | Microsoft |
---|---|
Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
Platform | IA-32, x86-64, Itanium, ARM64 |
Predecessor | Input Method Manager (IMM32) |
Type | Software framework |
Website | docs |
The Text Services Framework (TSF) is a COM framework and API in Windows XP and later Windows operating systems that supports advanced text input and text processing. The Language Bar is the core user interface for Text Services Framework.
The Text Services Framework is designed to offer advanced language and word processing features to applications. It supports features such as multilingual support, keyboard drivers, handwriting recognition, speech recognition, as well as spell checking and other text and natural language processing functions. It is also downloadable for older Windows operating systems.
The Language Bar enables text services to add UI elements to the toolbar and enables these elements when an application has focus. From the Language Bar, users can select the input language, and control keyboard input, handwriting recognition and speech recognition.
The language bar also provides a direct means to switch between installed languages, even when a non-TSF-enabled application has focus.
Starting with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and Windows Vista, the RichEdit control supports the Text Services Framework. Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista is also implemented using the Text Services Framework.
ctfmon (ctfmon.exe
) is a process used to activate the Alternative User Input Text Input Processor (TIP) and also the Microsoft Language Bar. Ctfmon is also a component of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 which enables advanced user input services in applications (pen and ink, speech etc.). ctfmon.exe
in Windows XP has superseded internat.exe
(means international) in Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98 and Windows 2000.
CTF means Common Text Framework according to the leaked Windows XP source code and US 7490296 patent text.
CTF is an undocumented, insecure protocol involved in TSF which security researchers have observed to be present in Windows versions back to Windows XP.