Another problem with recognition technologies is that the relative frequencies of characters and words changes in programming. This is difficult for end-users to fix, although it can be overcome in some cases, given access to the back end of the recognition system. Text Modification Users rarely enter stand-alone words during text modification. Instead, they may change punctuation, or replace one word with a different one. This causes problems for word-based recognition and for prediction systems.
Modification usually involves making small, isolated changes in an iterative fashion.
Navigation is needed to move to the place where the user plans to make changes. Currently, navigation is done either with the help of a scroll bar and by typing in the name of specific files, or by searching within or among files for a specific keyword. Approach The first two sections of this document have identified some approaches to user input for programming based on past work and anecdotal evidence. In order to support the programming task, because a repetitive strain injury has made it difficult for me to use a keyboard, I have created an exploratory environment which allows experimentation with novel input modalities. This environment is in real use on a daily basis.