Autocorrect

In class this week, I believe on Tuesday, Dr. Jory mentioned something about how all autocorrect programs (such as in Microsoft Word, smartphones, etc.) can be simplified down to just primitive data types available in Java. An autocorrect function works such that it has a base way of functioning based off of simple word frequencies. In the example of smartphones, they are hard-programmed to assume certain words that are common in texting are what the user intends to input. If a user begins to respond to a text with the character "O" and follows it up with the character "l," the program will assume they meant to type "Ok." However, this is not only due to the frequency of the word "Ok" in texting.


These smartphones are also made to understand that physical human error is natural when using a smartphone. In the "Ok" example, the computer knows the "k" and "l" keys are located very close to each other. There is likely a system to store in the computer the distances of one key to another. If, on the contrary, the user has pressed the "e" key after the "O," the computer would make the more likely assumption that they meant to press "r" based off of how close together "e" and "r" are located.

Finally, one element of autocorrect that I find especially impressive is its ability to adapt over time. For me, having the last name "Brackenridge" can be a bear to type. Fortunately, my phone has "learned" over time to understand that if I begin to type my last name, the end of the name can be assumed. While many people complain about autocorrect when it messes up or post its funny errors or manipulations that can be forced through, at the end of the day, I think we can all agree that autocorrect is much more helpful than it is harmful.

http://www.howtogeek.com/222769/how-to-tame-and-improve-the-iphones-autocorrect-feature/