Types of Keys on a Computer Keyboard | Southern New Hampshire University

University:
Southern New Hampshire University
Course:
CYB210 | Computer Networking
Academic year:

2024
Views:

185

Pages:

1
Author:

do3ran7ut

Types of keys on a computer keyboard: • Alphanumeric keys – all of the letters and numbers on the keyboard. A-Z and 0-9. • Punctuation keys – All of the keys associated with punctuation such as the comma, period, semicolon, brackets, parenthesis and so on. Also, all of the mathematical operators such as the plus sign, minus sign, and equal sign. • Special keys – All of the other keys on the computer keyboard such as the function keys, control keys, arrow keys, caps lock key, delete key, etc. Special keys on a PC Keyboard • Alt key – Short for Alternate, this key is like a second control key. • Arrow Keys – Most keyboards have four arrow keys that enable you to move the cursor (or insertion point) up, down, right, or left. Used in conjunction with the Shift or Alt keys, the arrow keys can move the cursor more than one position at a time, but this depends on which program is running. • Backspace key – Deletes the character just to the left of the cursor (or insertion point) and moves the cursor to that position. • Caps Lock Key – A toggle key that, when activated, causes all alphabetic characters to be uppercase. • Ctrl key – Short for Control, this key is used in conjunction with other keys to produce control characters. The meaning of each control character depends on which program is running. • Delete Key – Sometimes labeled Del, deletes the character at the current cursor position, or the selected object, but does not move the cursor. For graphics-based applications, the Delete key deleted the character to the right of the insertion point. • Enter Key – Used to enter commands or to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. Sometimes labeled Return instead of Enter. • Esc Key – Short for Escape, this key is used to send special codes to devices and to exit (or escape) from programs and tasks. • Function Keys – Special keys labeled F1 to F12. These keys have different meaning depending on which program is running.