Japanese language user interface for messaging system

Abstract

A method and program for providing a Japanese language user interface for a messaging system which transfers messages among users on the system based upon addresses represented in an address format such as ASCII. The method includes the steps of storing a plurality of addresses in an address directory, each address being represented in kana, kanji, and address format; and sorting the address directory in a first order based upon the kana form of the addresses and in a second order based upon the address format of the addresses. Sorting can be accomplished by indexing the directory and sorting the index. When creating a new message, a user of the application program selects a given address from the address directory by inputting the given address in kana form. The directory is searched for the input address in kana form and, when found, the address format of the address is retrieved. The new message is then transferred using the address format. When a message is received by the user, the kanji form of the address of the sender of the message is retrieved from the directory and displayed along with the address format.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing an application program user interface for a language having symbolic and phonetic characters, the application program using data represented in a program format different than the symbolic and phonetic characters, the method comprising: 
 storing a plurality of data items in a list, each data item being represented in phonetic, symbolic and program format, the data items being usable by the application program to identify a particular user, file or object accessible to or addressable by the application program;    sorting the list in a first order based upon the phonetic form of the data items.,    allowing a user of the application program to select a given data item from the list by inputting the given data item in phonetic form;    locating the input given data item from the list using the first order;    retrieving the program format of the given data item for use by the application program; and    using the program format of the given data item to identify the user, file or object identified by the given data item.