Language Indicator

Language Indicator is a lightweight Windows application designed for users, especially those with ultra-wide monitors, who find it inconvenient to monitor the current keyboard layout only on the taskbar.

Features

• Automatic Language Detection: Dynamically tracks changes in keyboard layout and displays the current language.
• On-Screen Language Indicator: A non-intrusive, semi-transparent popup that appears at the center of the screen, ensuring visibility regardless of monitor size or taskbar position.
• Tray Icon Integration: Adds a system tray icon for quick access to application options like exiting.
• Smooth Fade Animation: The indicator smoothly fades in and out for a polished user experience.
• System-Level Integration: Hooks directly into the Windows API to detect input language changes.

Current Status

⚠️ Note: The application is currently under development, and some functionality is not fully implemented:

• Automatic detection of keyboard layout changes may not work reliably in all cases.
• The language indicator display may have issues updating or fading correctly.
• Proper error handling and stability enhancements are required.

How It Works

• Monitors keyboard layout changes using a global hook (WH_KEYBOARD_LL).
• Displays the current language in a central popup when the layout changes, making it ideal for ultra-wide monitors where taskbar indicators might be less noticeable.
• Uses a timer to hide the indicator after a short delay, ensuring a clean interface.
• Includes a tray icon for user interaction and application control.

Technology Stack

• Language: C++
• Framework: Windows API

Key Components:

• Global keyboard hook for layout detection.
• Layered and transparent window for the visual indicator.
• System tray integration using Shell_NotifyIcon.

Usage

1. Launch the application.
2. The indicator will monitor keyboard layout changes automatically (in progress).
3. Access settings or exit the app via the system tray icon.

Future Enhancements

• Fixing existing bugs and ensuring stable functionality.
• Configurable indicator position and size.
• Support for additional customization (colors, fonts, transparency).
• Multi-language support for the interface.
• Optimizations for low-resource environments.

License

Distributed under the MIT License.

This description highlights the current limitations and makes it clear the app is a work in progress.

Compilation

cl /EHsc language_indicator.cpp user32.lib gdi32.lib shell32.lib