loadunimap

loadunimap [unimapfile]

unimapfile
    Specifies the path to the Unicode map file to be loaded. If not provided, loadunimap typically reads the map data from standard input. These files usually have a .uni extension and define character mappings for the console.

loadunimap is a utility program designed to load a Unicode console map (unimap) into the Linux kernel. This map is crucial for systems that need to display Unicode characters correctly on the text console. It translates incoming raw byte sequences (typically from the keyboard or applications) into Unicode characters that the kernel can then render using the currently loaded console font. This command is part of the console-tools or kbd package and is primarily used for setting up internationalization features on non-graphical terminals, enabling correct display of various scripts and symbols beyond the standard ASCII set. It's often used in conjunction with setfont to ensure proper character rendering for console output.

• This command primarily affects the Linux text console, not graphical environments (like X11 or Wayland).
• Its functionality might be superseded or managed differently in modern Linux distributions by higher-level tools like systemd's localectl, which provides a unified interface for locale configuration.
• Requires appropriate kernel support for console Unicode mapping.
• Often needs root privileges to load maps into the kernel.

Unicode map files (often with an .uni extension) define the mapping from a sequence of bytes (e.g., from a keyboard input or application output) to a Unicode character code. These files are typically text-based and contain rules for combining characters or converting specific byte sequences into their Unicode representations. They are essential for displaying complex scripts or handling various input methods correctly on the Linux console.

The loadunimap utility has been a part of the Linux console tools for many years, primarily included within the console-tools or kbd package. Its development was driven by the need to provide proper internationalization support for the Linux text console, allowing users worldwide to correctly display and input non-ASCII characters. It evolved alongside the kernel's console infrastructure to support Unicode, moving beyond earlier character set limitations.

setfont(8), dumpkeys(1), loadkeys(1), console-tools(7), unicode(7)