Basic of Keyboard

2. Basics of Keyboard-

         Invented by-Christopher Latham Sholes (February 14, 1819 – February 17, 1890) was an American inventor who invented the QWERTY keyboard, and along with Samuel W. Soule, Carlos Glidden and John Pratt, has been contended as one of the inventors of the first typewriter in the United States.

                                      

Def.-

* A computer keyboard is an input device that allows a person to enter letters, numbers, and other symbols (these are called characters in a keyboard) into a computer.

  

Some Important point of keyboard  -

*  A standard keyboard if flat, with slightly cupped keys, with small bumps on F ,J and 5 so your hands can find the home keys without looking. The standard keyboard has from 101 to 103 keys.

   

* There are two major types of computer keyboards: -

1.  Basic :  The Basic keyboard contains 104 keys and is enough to perform all               the functions that can be done on a Windows PC.
2.  Extended : The Extended keyboard may have additional keys, and the design varies among the companies manufacturing them.

* Five part of the computer : There are five main parts to most desktop keyboards

(fig-2.1). 

    

1. Alphanumeric keypad : The definition of alphanumeric is something that                                                                   contains letters and numbers .
2.  Numeric keypad         : A separate set of keys on some keyboards that contain                                                      the 0  through 9 and a decimal point arranged as on an                                                  adding machine. Numeric keypads make it easier to                                                       enter large  of numeric data .   
3.  Arrow keys                 : Most computer keyboards contain four arrow keys for                                                        moving the cursor or insertion point right,left,up,down.
4. Control keys               : In computing ,a Control key  is a  modifier key which,                                                           when pressed in conjuction with another key,perform a                                                                 special operation.
5.  Function keys            : PC keyboards have 12 function keys, F1 through F12                                                        function keys , Many Apple desktop computer keyboards                                                  with a number pad have 19 function keys F1 through                                                      F19 .

* Eight Different Types of Keyboards Available In The Market -

Eight different Types of  keyboards  you should know :-

1. Multimedia Keyboard
2. QWERTY  Keyboard
3. USB Keyboard
4. Wireless Keyboard
5. Mechanical Keyboard
6. Ergonomic Keyboard
7. Virtual Keyboard
8. Gaming Keyboard

* "Modifier keys are commonly used to enter keyboard shortcuts ". A  modifier keys is a key that modifies the action of another key when the two are pressed together. Common modifier key  include Shift, Control,Alt ,Command,Option, and Function.   

* Special function keys are space bar , Caps lock, escape key,shift key,

Ctrl key,Alt key etc .

* A keyboard is a lot like a miniature computer. It has its own processor and circuitry that carries information to and from that processor. A large part of this circuitry makes up the key matrix. The key matrix is a grid of circuits underneath the keys.