What is a Computer Keyboard? - Parts, Layout & Functions

A device input device} is Associate in Nursing input device accustomed enter characters and functions into the pc system by pressing buttons, or keys. it's the first device accustomed enter text. A keyboard generally contains keys for individual letters, numbers and special characters, furthermore as keys for specific functions. A keyboard is connected to a automatic data processing system employing a cable or a wireless affiliation.

Typical keyboard for a personal computer
typical keyboard
Most keyboards have a awfully similar layout. The individual keys for letters, numbers and special characters square measure put together known as the character keys. The layout of those keys springs from the first layout of keys on a character-at-a-time printer. the foremost wide used layout within the West Germanic language is named QWERTY, named when the sequence of the primary six letters from the highest left.

Other sets of keys common to the majority keyboards square measure getting into and writing keys (e.g., Enter, Delete, Insert), modifier keys (e.g., Control, Shift), navigation keys (e.g., arrows for up, down, left, right) and lock keys (e.g., Caps Lock). further keys square measure terribly software package specific (such because the Windows and Apple keys).

Most keyboards additionally embrace a group of operate keys at the highest (F1, F2, etc.). The operate keys generally perform a awfully specific task among a specific package application. So, what they are doing could depend upon what you're doing on your laptop at the time.

Most keyboards for desktop computers additionally contain a separate numeric keyboard to the proper. even supposing there square measure numeric keys already in an exceedingly row close to the highest, having all of them close makes it quicker to enter numeric knowledge. On smaller keyboards, like those on most laptops, these numeric keypads square measure generally not gift thanks to house constraints.

Here you'll be able to see a typical keyboard layout. detain mind that there square measure many alternative variations on this layout, though most makers follow this general pattern:

Standard layout of keys
typical keyboard layout
However, this general layout has remained remarkably unchanging over the years. This has created it straightforward for users to transition from one automatic data processing system to consequent and to use their typewriting skills on multiple devices.

For many tasks, you would like to press over one key at an equivalent time. for instance, to urge a upper case 'A' you would like to press the Shift key and also the A key at an equivalent time. once reading or writing directions for the way to accomplish a specific task, this is able to be represented as 'Shift + A.' As another example, in most package applications, Ctrl + S suggests that to save lots of the present document. If you've got been victimization computers for a few time, you're in all probability acquainted with variety of such mixtures.

Want to grasp the foremost notable combination of all? Ctrl + EL + Del, additionally observed as Control-Alt-Delete. In older laptop systems, this really rebooted your laptop. form of like actuation the ability wire and plugging it back in once more. in additional fashionable versions of the Windows software package, the mix brings up choices to log out or clean up, furthermore as choices to force a specific package application to quit. this is often helpful if you're not capable to exit Associate in Nursing application in an exceedingly regular fashion.