Plans of development

In 2009-2010, the main priority of JISHOP development will be finishing the database: filling up the remaining kanji entries and adding more compound words into the phonetic dictionary. The following functional features are also expected:

• User-defined basic meanings of characters and radicals;
• Uniting the tables of characters and compounds for easier search;
• Multiple output of several dictionary entries;
• More advanced implementation of kanji drill;
• Drill for words;
• Special search options;

After all database tables are completed, JISHOP will begin to gradually introduce new options and new data including:

• Detailed step-by-step decomposition of every kanji;
• An informational system networking characters in groups of synonyms;
• Extra information about the characters (their readings in Chinese language, calligraphic writings, etc.);
• Readings in personal names for all kanji;
• System of dynamic hints;
• Addition of new dictionary data by the user;
• Some useful characters outside the computer set JIS X 0208-1990 (from the set JIS X 0212-1990).

A new major version of JISHOP will be released once a year, however downloadable files for database tables will appear on the website more frequently. In the case of a bug report, the repaired minor version will be shortly released. All new files are available on JISHOP website with the specified version number and release date.

When the dictionary is completed, it will be the base for developing an educational software of learning Japanese characters by mnemonic method of plot chains. This method is discussed in "Mnemonics" section of JISHOP website.