Keyboard - Hardware Concepts

[VelMurugan]

KeyBoard

The keyboard is one of the simplest parts of the computer to understand. This chapter goes beyond the keyboard basics, however, to show you how to do tasks such as inserting special characters or typing in another language. This chapter also looks at how to take care of your keyboard and how to take care of yourself when using it.

Understanding the Keyboard Layout

The basic function of almost every keyboard is compatible with what is called a standard 101- key keyboard. The standard keyboard is divided into four main groups of keys:

1.   The typewriter or alphanumeric keys. These are all of the standard letters, numbers, Tab, Shift, and the spacebar arranged in the usual QWERTY order. The Return key is replaced by an Enter key, and some special computer keys (Alt and Ctrl) are added at the bottom.

2.   The function keys. These are usually labeled F1 through F12, and have different functions in each program you use (some programs may not have any features that use them).

3.   The cursor keys. These are the arrows and other keys that move the cursor or insertion point on the screen. In addition to the up, down, left, right keys, some keyboards add diagonal keys. This block of keys also includes Insert, Delete, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys.

4.   The numeric keypad. This has two functions. When the Num Lock light is on, this functions as a 10-key calculator. When the Num Lock light is off, this functions as another set of cursor movement keys.

Most keyboards carry a variety of additional keys, including Esc (Escape), Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause. The uses of these specialty keys varies from system to system. In most systems:

1.   Esc can be used to undo commands or actions and in keyboard combinations.

2.   Print Screen can be used to copy the current screen contents to the Clipboard, from which you can then Paste the contents into a document for printing (see the Print Screen entry in "Troubleshooting Common Keyboard Problems" later in this chapter).

3.   Scroll Lock changes the action of the directional arrow cursors.

Check your user manual to find the details of the specialty keys on your system's keyboard.

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