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Computer Keyboard: Jump To Navigationjump To Search

A computer keyboard is a typewriter-style input device that uses buttons or keys to mechanically or electronically input text, numbers, and symbols into a computer. Keyboards typically have keys labeled with letters, numbers, and symbols, and each press of a key corresponds to a single character. Beyond typing letters, keys or key combinations can prompt system commands. In modern computers, software interprets which keys are pressed and sends scan codes to the computer. Keyboards are primarily used as a text entry interface for applications like word processors, browsers, and messaging apps.

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54 views3 pages

Computer Keyboard: Jump To Navigationjump To Search

A computer keyboard is a typewriter-style input device that uses buttons or keys to mechanically or electronically input text, numbers, and symbols into a computer. Keyboards typically have keys labeled with letters, numbers, and symbols, and each press of a key corresponds to a single character. Beyond typing letters, keys or key combinations can prompt system commands. In modern computers, software interprets which keys are pressed and sends scan codes to the computer. Keyboards are primarily used as a text entry interface for applications like word processors, browsers, and messaging apps.

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rjohn 7
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Computer keyboard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search


This article is about keyboard technology, the hardware. For the software that controls the keyboard,
see keyboard layout.

Not to be confused with keyboard computer.

Typing on a computer keyboard

Keyboard keys

Backlit keyboard
A Lenovo's ThinkPad compact USB keyboard

A white standard wired chiclet keyboard (flat keyboard)

A traditional keyboard with bicolor keys

A computer keyboard is a typewriter-style device[1] which uses an arrangement of buttons


or keys to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Replacing early punched cards and paper
tape technology, interaction via teleprinter-style keyboards have been the main input
method for computers since the 1970s, supplemented by the computer mouse since the 1980s.
Keyboard keys (buttons) typically have a set of characters engraved or printed on them, and each
press of a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However, producing some symbols
may require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence.[2] While most
keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or symbols (characters), other keys or simultaneous key
presses can prompt the computer to execute system commands, such as such as the Control-Alt-
Delete combination used with Microsoft Windows.[3][4] In a modern computer, the interpretation of key
presses is generally left to the software: the information sent to the computer, the scan code, tells it
only which key (or keys) on which row and column, was pressed or released.[5]
In normal usage, the keyboard is used as a text entry interface for typing text, numbers, and symbols
into application software such as a word processor, web browser or social media app.

Contents

 1History
 2Types and standards
o 2.1Desktop or full-size
o 2.2Laptop-size
o 2.3Flexible keyboards
o 2.4Handheld
o 2.5Thumb-sized
o 2.6Multifunctional
 3Non-standard layout and special-use types
o 3.1Chorded
o 3.2Software
o 3.3Projection
o 3.4Optical keyboard technology
 4Key types
o 4.1Alphanumeric
o 4.2Modifier keys
o 4.3Cursor keys
o 4.4System commands
 4.4.1Break key
 4.4.2Escape key
 4.4.2.1ESC origins
 4.4.3Enter key
 4.4.4Shift key
 4.4.5Menu key
o 4.5Number pad
o 4.6Miscellaneous
o 4.7Multiple layouts
 5Illumination
 6Technology
o 6.1Key switches
o 6.2Control processor
o 6.3Connection types
 7Alternative text-entering methods
 8Other issues
o 8.1Keystroke logging
o 8.2Physical injury
 9See also
 10References
 11External links

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