What is computer keyboard?

Complete Information About Keyboard

Keyboard is an input device. With its help, we give instructions to the computer. The main use of the keyboard is to write text. Apart from this, the keyboard can also be used like a mouse. It is also a multifunctional device, which can not only write but also use the keyboard to control the computer.

The special layout of keys (Keys) on a keyboard is called a keyboard layout. The keyboard layout itself determines the texture, shape and type of the keyboard.

Today various layouts of computer keyboards are available. Different countries of the world have developed keyboard layouts according to their language and script.

We can divide all these keyboard layouts into two broad categories:

1. QWERTY Keyboard Layout
2. Non-QWERTY Keyboard Layout

• QWERTY Keyboard Layout

This is the most popular and used keyboard layout. It has been adopted worldwide. And the same layout is used in modern computer keyboards. Some other Keyboard Layouts based on QWERTY Layout:

• QWERTY 
• QWERTZ 
• AZERTY
• QZERTY

• Non-QWERTY Keyboard Layout

Keyboards where QWERTY Layout is not used to set keys are called Non-QWERTY Keyboard. Some Non-QWERTY Keyboard Layouts.

• Dvork
• Colemak
• Workman

Type of Keyboard Keys - Names and types of keys located in the keyboard

The 'QWERTY' Layout is by far the most popular and adopted pattern worldwide. And in this Lesson, you are also told to use this type of keyboard.

Let's know how many Keys in a keyboard? Name and type of keys and what is their use?

A normal keyboard has a total of 104 Keys. And their number also depends on Keyboard Manufactures and Operating System. So broadly we can say that a QWERTY Keyboard has around 100 Keys (±).

Each key in the keyboard has its own special function. And on the basis of this work, they have been divided into the following six categories. Whose description is as follows.

1. Function keys
2. Typing keys
3. Control keys
4. Navigation Keys
5. Indicator Lights
6. Numeric keypad

• Function Keys

Function Keys is at the top of the keyboard. These are written from F1 to F12 in the keyboard. Function Keys are used to perform a particular task. They have a different function in every program. 

• Typing Keys

These keys are most commonly used. Typing keys include both types of keys (alphabet and numbers), collectively called Alphanumeric keys. Typing keys also include all types of symbols and punctuation marks.

• Control Keys

These keys are used alone or with other keys to perform a certain task. In a normal keyboard, most of the Ctrl key, Alt key, Window key, Esc key are used as control keys. Apart from these, keys like Menu key, Scroll key, Pause Break key, PrtScr key etc. are also included in the control keys.

• Navigation Keys

Navigation keys contain Arrow keys, Home, End, Insert, Page Up, Delete, Page down etc. They are used to move around in any document, webpage etc.  

• Indicator Lights

There are three types of Indicator light in the keyboard. Num Lock, Scroll Lock and Caps Lock. When the first light in the keyboard is lit, it means that the Numeric Keypad is turned on, and if it is closed it means that the Numeric Keypad is off. Secondly, light indicates to us about Uppercase and Lowercase of letters. When it is closed, the letters are in lowercase, and when it is moving, the letters are in uppercase. The third, known as Scroll Lock. This indicates to us about scrolling.

• Numeric Keypad

We can also call them Calculator keys, because a numeric keypad has almost the same (some extra) keys as a calculator. They are used to write numbers.

Some of the main Typing Keys and their use

• Tab Key

Tab is used to give the space of many letters simultaneously. Apart from this, it also has many uses. Tab is also used in some Keyboard Shortcuts.

• Caps Lock Key

This key is used to write all letters in uppercase. When Caps Lock remains on, all letters will be written in uppercase and in lowercase when off.

• Shift Keys

Shift keys are used to write letters in uppercase. In addition, Shift Keys are also used to type the top portion of a key.

• Spacebar Spacebar

Keyboard is the largest key. It is used to move the Cursor one space further.

• Enter Key

The Enter Key is an important key. It is used to start the next line. When Enter is pressed, the Cursor moves to the beginning of the next line. The Enter key also acts as the 'OK' button.

• Backspace

Backspace is used to delete the selected text next to the Cursor.

Some of the main control keys and their usage

Esc Key:- Esc key is currently used to cancel a task. Its full name is Escape Key.

Ctrl Key:- The full name of Ctrl Key is Control Key. It is used in Keyboard Shortcuts.

Alt Key:-  Alt key is full name Alter Key, it is also used in Keyboard Shortcuts.

Window Logo Key:- This key is used to open the Start Menu.

Menu Key:- The Menu Key works in the same way as the Mouse's Right Click. It opens the options related to a selected program.

PrtScr Key:- This key is used to take an image of a computer screen.

Use of Navigation/Keys Arrow Keys:- There are four Arrow Keys - Up Arrow, Down Arrow, Left Arrow and Right Arrow. They are used to move cursor and webpage in the direction of Arrows.

Home Key:- Home key is used to bring cursor to the beginning of a document. With this help, a Webpage and Document can come at once.

End Key:- The End Key is used to bring cursor to the end of a document. With this help, a Webpage and Document can go down at once.

Insert Key:- The Insert Key is used to turn the Insert mode on and off.

Delete Key:- The Delete Key is used to delete the text after the Cursor, the selected text and files and folder.

Page up Key:-  The Page up Key is used to move the Cursor and a page upwards.

Page down Key:-  The Page down Key is used to move the Cursor and a page down.

Use numeric keypad:-

The numeric keypad is on the right side of the keyboard. It has numbers from 0 to 9. In addition, there are also sign of addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and decimal sign.

Numeric Keypad is used to write numbers. These numbers are also in another place in the keyboard, but they can be written quickly with the Numeric Keypad. Apart from this, Numeric Keypad can also be used like Navigation Keys. Num Lock must be On to use the Numeric Keypad.

Keyboard History 

The history of computer keyboard is not very old. However, its ancestor is typewriter. Therefore, the keyboard can also be considered as old as the typewriter. The modern computer keyboard was invented by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1868. Because he got the patent of modern typewriter on this day.

What have you learned? In this Lesson we told you what is Keyboard.

You learned more about the keyboard. We hope that after reading this Lesson, you have got the complete information of the keyboard. And now you will be able to use the keyboard easily, and you will be able to use the keyboard easily.