The keyboard is an input device that goes into your computer which allows you enter information such letters from the alphabets, numerical data, symbols, and commands. There are many keyboards, although not all have the same layout style. The most common kind is referred to as a QWERT keyboard, which is named after the keys on the top rows of letters. The keyboard is divided into several groups based on the function.
Function Keys
The functions keys, labeled from F1 to F12, are used to perform specific tasks based on the operating system and software used. For an example, in many programs, the key F1 is commonly used as the Help file. In some cases, it can control the monitor brightness or the sound volume. The functionality of these keys differentiates from program to program and operating system to operating system.
Special keys
The special keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to perform certain actions. These include the Control (ctrl), Alternate (Alt), Escape (Esc), Windows, Tab, Caps Lock, and Shift keys. For an example, in many programs pressing “Ctrl+S” will save a file automatically.
The Shift key is a combination key used with another letter to type an uppercase letter.
The Caps Lock key allows all letters to be typed in uppercase without having to press shift. This function can be turned on or off. An indicator light might be present to show that the function is on.
Most keyboards include a special key called the Windows logo key. This key is used to open the Start menu, or is used in combination with a second key to perform common Windows tasks.
Alphanumeric keys
The alphanumeric keys cover most the typical keyboard; this is for letters, numbers, punctuations, symbol keys, the space bar, tab, backspace, Caps Lock, shift, and enter key. The Spacebar allows a space to be indicated when pressed.
The Enter key allows the cursor to be moved to the beginning of the next line.
The Backspace key deletes the character before the cursor, or the selected text chosen
Navigation keys
Use the navigation keys to move around in documents or webpages and to edit text. Navigation keys include Delete, Insert, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down.
Use the Home key to move the cursor to the beginning of a line or to move to the top of the webpage.
The Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Up Arrow, and Down Arrow keys move the cursor one space or one line, or move the cursor to the end of the currently selected text, in the direction of the arrow. You can also use these keys to scroll through a webpage in the direction of the arrow.
Press the End key to move the cursor to the end of a line or to the bottom of a webpage.
Press the Page Up key to move the cursor or page up one screen.
Press the Page Down key to move the cursor or page down one screen.
Press the Delete key to delete the character after the cursor or the selected text. If used in Windows, the Delete key can be used to move to selected items to the Recycle Bin.
The Insert key can be turned on or off. When it is turned on, the text you enter is inserted at the cursor. When the Insert key is not used, the text you enter replaces existing characters.
Numeric keys
The numeric keypad can look like a calculator keypad. This keypad includes numbers and arithmetic operators such as the Plus Sign (+), which is used for addition. This is helpful when you need to enter numbers quickly.
The keys of the numeric keypad can also be used to navigate left, right, up, and down. Press the Num Lock key to switch between number mode and navigation mode.
Three additional keys that you might be familiar with on your keyboard are Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause. These have different uses in different programs.
Use Print Screen to copy an image of your entire screen to the Clipboard. This image is known as a screen shot.
Use Scroll Lock to change the behavior of the arrow keys.
You will probably use Pause infrequently. When pressed in a program, Pause pauses the program, or when pressed in combination with Ctrl, stops the program from running.
Overview of a keyboard video
