Computer Keyboard
One of the most excessively utilized input devices called “computer
keyboard”, has many striking features and is most common source of entering
the data and information into a computer system.
Keyboard
is supposed to be most essential computer components and we can enter text most efficiently and easily with a keyboard as it consists of various keys for
the user to give instructions.
Types of Computer Keyboard Keys
Computer Keyboard keys are of distinctive categories and each category has a unique function to perform. Most often people don't have exact knowledge that how many types of keys in keyboard are. With the invention of latest technological devices, keyboards have also enhanced hugely. However some important keys that every keyboard contains are given below:
Alphanumeric keys
Alphanumeric keys are typed immensely among all the keys on a computer keyboard as almost all the text and important information is entered using these keys. Alphanumeric keys consisting of alphabets from A to Z and digits from 0 to 9 are very important as we need to type them most excessively whenever we have to input any data or information into a computer system.
Numeric keys
Other than digits from 0 to 9, users often need to enter numerical signs like "+", "-', "*" and "\". Numeric keys of a keyboard are most essential as these keys help users enter numeric data along with numerical operators like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division from the keyboard.
Function keys
Keys appearing on the top of a computer keyboard, from F1 to F12 are the function keys. Although these keys can perform explicit tasks as defined by the developer of a keyboard; these keys are very useful among the keys of a keyboard.
Backspace key
Backspace key is the need of every user who is going to type text or is working on a document or file. The key can remove or delete a letter or multiple letters to the left of the cursor.
Enter key
Using enter key, a user can enter different commands and data into a computer system. Enter key is among the most useful keys on the computer keyboard.
Caps Lock key
Keyboards also possess toggle keys which can perform a specific function if they are pressed. Caps Lock is also a toggle key which makes the characters on a keyboard to appear in upper case if it is pressed.
Tab key
Simply; a user can use a tab key to move a cursor to the next tab stop. A user can move the cursor five spaces ahead simultaneously in a document by using tab key.
Modifier keys
These types of keys are pressed in combination with other keys on the keyboard for performing particular tasks. For instance, Alt key is pressed with F4 key to close a file or a program. Ctrl key, Shift key and Alt key are the modifier keys.
Cursor Control keys
As clear from the name of these keys, a user can take advantage of these keys if he wants to move the cursor around the screen. The cursor can be moved on the top of the screen in a document using Home key or it can be moved around multiple pages in word processing programs using page up and page down keys. Arrow keys are also utilized to move the cursor up, down, left and right.
Special Purpose keys
Esc key, Delete key, Insert key, Print Screen key, Scroll Lock key and Pause/Break key are the Special purpose keys that can perform special tasks i.e. Esc key can terminate a command, Delete key can remove letters from right of cursor, Insert key is used to switch between insert and overtype mode. By pressing a Print Screen key, we can capture everything that appears on screen etc.
Types of Computer Keyboard
We have talked about different types of computer keyboard keys we see on a computer keyboard. Different types of computer keyboard have been designed for computers although these keyboards contain same keys for entering data and other useful information into the computer system.
1. QWERTY Keyboard
The most extensively utilized and one of the main types of keyboard is a QWERTY keyboard. It is the standard keyboard that is most frequently used with desktop computer. The reason of naming this keyboard a “QWERTY keyboard” is the first 6 keys on the top row of this keyboard are Q, W, E, R, T, and Y.
2. Wireless Keyboard
Wireless keyboard are based on wireless technology to transmit data through radio waves or infrared waves. No physical wire or cable is required to connect this type of keyboard to a computer system. It facilitates a user to enter the data without any inconvenience as the keyboard can be held at a distance of 100 feet without taking care of any physical cable or wire.
3. Enhanced Keyboard
This type of computer keyboard is somehow similar to that of a QWERTY keyboard. However an enhanced keyboard consists of twelve function keys, two control keys and two Alt keys. It also possesses some additional keys between the typing area and numeric keypad.
4. Portable Keyboard
Portable keyboards are specially designed to facilitate those users who want to attach the keyboard to a device such as a touch screen smart phone or a tablet PC etc. Portable keyboards can be attached and removed from one device to another easily.
5. Ergonomic Keyboard
Wrist injuries can happen to the users who have to use keyboards most of the times. Ergonomic keyboards are specifically designed for the users who require continuous keyboard use for hours. These keyboards provide such users comfort and ease to work for a long time.
6. Virtual Keyboard
Rather than physical keys, virtual keyboard consists of keys on optical detectable surface. Mostly, touch screen mobile phones and other handheld devices like tablet PC's possess virtual keyboards to help users enter the text and other important data by touching the screen.
7. Gaming Keyboard
Trend of playing online computer games has been increasing day by day. One of the different types of computer keyboards is gaming keyboard that is specially designed for gaming purposes. The keys on a gaming keyboard are specifically programmed for playing games. It also contains programmable keys so that the keys can be customized according to the game being played by the user.
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