Computer Keyboard

Computer Keyboard

                    
 Computer Keyboard is an electro-mechanical  component. It creates special standardized electronic codes when a key is pressed. The codes are transmitted along the cable that connects the keyboard to the computer system unit or terminal, where the incoming code is analyzed and converted into appropriate computer usable code. Keyboards comes in a variety of sizes and shapes having a number of features in common.


A Computer Keyboard is a primary input device which is used in computers to input data.

The computer keyboard has a keys like a typewriter it look likes typewriter. These keys are called QWERTY keys. These keys are 0-9 and character keys like A-Z and special symbols like ~!@#$%^& etc.

The Keys on the top of the Keyboard are called Function Keys. It starts from F1 to F12, these are programmable keys.

Special Purpose Keys

Backspace Key
      Backspace key erases one character to the left of the cursor.

Enter Key

• Enter Key is used to start a new line.
• Enter Key also terminate a command. then the command is executed.

Space Bar

• This key creates space between two words.

ESC Key

• Esc Key is used to cancel a command.

Caps Lock Key

• Caps Lock key is toggle key.
• If Caps Lock key is ON the Caps Lock light at upper right side of the keyboard is On, all typed character will be in upper case (Capital). 
• Pressing the key again will put Caps Lock Off (the Caps Lock light will be off). Now all the typed characters will be in lower case (small).

Shift Key

• Any character key, pressed along with Shift Key, changes its case. for e.g. If Caps lock is on, and you want a character in lower case, press Shift Key and that character together. same in the case you want Upper Case character when caps lock off.
• To print symbols, Printed on number Keys, press that key with shift key.
• To use upper symbol in the keys having two symbols, press with shift key.
• The Shift Key is also Known as Combination Keys.

Tab Key

• Tab key lets your cursor jump pre-defined number of spaces mostly 5 spaces
• It also used in toggle/switch between two open windows by using Alt+Tab combination keys.

Computer Keyboard 

Ins Key

• Ins key is a toggle key.
• Pressing Ins key toggles between Insert mode and Over-strike mode.
• When in Insert Mode, you can add a character any where in a word. The characters at the position of insertion shift to right to make place for new character.
• In Over-strike mode, each new character overwrites the already written character at that position.

Delete Key

• Delete Key is used to delete one character above cursor.

Print Screen/SysRq  Key

• Print screen key is used to take screen shot of particular opened window.
• Just Press once from the keyboard and screenshot is copied to clipboard paste it in Paint.

Cursor Movement Keys 

• There are Four Arrow Keys, Left, Right, Up, Down.
• These keys are used to move cursor.

Home & End Key

• The Home and End keys are used to go to beginning and end of line respectively.

Combination Keys

• SHIFT, ALT and CTRL these are also known as Combination Keys.
• These keys are perform certain tasks with the help of other keys. like 
• To use upper symbol in the keys having two symbols, press with shift key.
• To print symbols, Printed on number Keys, press that key with shift key.
• To use Computer Shortcuts use Ctrl key for that, to copy text press Ctrl+C, to paste Ctrl+V etc.
• To shut down application or close use Alt+F4. 
• These keys are perform operation with the combination of other keys. 

Numeric Keys

• Numeric Keyboard is on the right side of the keyboard.
• To use these keys press Num Lock (first key on the numeric keypad) to switch on num lock the light will be on).
• These keys make entry of numeric values faster.