WHAT IS KEYBOARD

Keyboard is most important input device. We use a keyboard to input data and instructions into a computer.

The keys on a keyboard are broadly divided into 5 types -

Typing keys (a-z), Numeric keys (0-9), Function keys (F1-F12), Control keys (Arrow keys, Home, End etc.) and Special purpose keys (Enter, Shift, Caps Lock, etc .

Types of keys

Alphabet Keys

These keys are used to type the letters of the English alphabet. Pressing an alphabet key alone types a lowercase letter and pressing it together with Shift types a capital letter.

Number Keys

There are number keys in the row above the alphabet keys. Digits from 0 to 9 are typed with these keys. The keyboard also has a separate set of keys for typing numbers, which is called the Numeric Key Pad.

Escape Key

This key is used to exit some programs.

Function Keys

The keys from F1 to 12 are called function keys. They are used for specific tasks defined in the computer. Their work also depends on the running program.

Cursor Control Keys

These keys have left arrowheads. With these keys, the cursor can be moved anywhere on the desktop. On pressing an arrow key, the cursor moves forward one place in the direction of the arrow touched on it, eg. Pressing the key will move the cursor one line down and pressing the key will move the cursor one place to the right.

Numeric Key

This is a special set of keys on the right side of the keyboard, from which only numeric data is created. The format of this key-pat is like a simple electronic calculator. About 90% of the data we fill in the computer is numeric. This key pad has been installed to facilitate the preparation of numeric data. On this we can type numeric data with only one hand. Num Lock button to activate it. Must be ON.

Control Key

This key is used in conjunction with other keys to give certain commands. For example, in the Windows environment, pressing the key with the Control key ( Ctrl ) or Ctrl + c on a selected key. The object or material is copied to the clip board. The control keys are similarly used to give various shortcut commands.

Alt Key

This key is also used in some shortcut commands like the Control key.

Enter Key

It is also called Return key. It works to send any order prepared by us to the computer. In MS-DOS environment, the command is sent to the computer on pressing Enter. In the Windows environment, it serves to activate a selected command or icon. It is also used to start a new 'paragraph' while preparing a document.

Shift Keys

These keys are used to capitalize letters while typing. If a key has two symbols printed on it, then pressing it with shift will type the symbol above. There are two shift keys on the keyboard.

Back Space Key

By pressing it, the text to the left of the cursor is erased.

Caps Lock Key

When this key is activated, uppercase is typed in lowercase and lowercase in uppercase. So this key affects only alphabet keys.

Other Keys

In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are many other keys on the keyboard; Like- Pause, Break, Print, Screen, Scroll etc. They are used for special tasks.

Tab Key

When this 'key' is pressed alone it moves the cursor to the right side and when it is pressed together with the shift 'key' it moves the cursor to the left side.