Function keys of computer keyboard

Finding Your way Around a Keyboard

Most personal computer keyboards have three main parts;

• Function keys
• The main keyboard in the center
• Andnumeric keys to the right.

Extende keyboard, cush as the keyboard shown here, habe additional keys between the main keyboard and the numeric keys and status light in the upper-righ corner.

A keyboard, which uusually is similar to a typewriter, may be part of a personal computer or part of a terminal that is connected to a computer somewhere else.

Keyboard

Function Keys of Computer Keyboard

The function keys (highlighted in tan on the diagram) are an easy way to give certain commands to the computer. What each function key does is defined by the particular software you are using.

Main Keyboard

The main keyboard includes the familiar keys found on a typewriter keyboard (dark blue), as well as some special command keys have different uses that depend on the software being used. Some of the most common user are listed here.

The Escape Key, Esc, is used in different ways by different program; often it allow you to "escape" to the previuos screen of the program

The tab key allows you to tab across the screen and set tab stops as you would on a typewriter.

When the Caps Lock key is pressed, upper case letters are produced. Number and symbols are not affected-the number or symbol shown on the bottom of a key is still produced. When the Caps Lock key is pressed, the status light under "Caps Lock" ligh up.

The shift key allow you to produce uppercase letters and the upper symbols shown on the keys.

The Control key, Ctrl, is pressed in combination with other keys to initiate commands as specified by the software.

The Alternate key, Alt, is also used in combination with other keys to initiate commands.

The Backspace key is most often used to delete a character to the left of the cursor, moving the cursor back one potition. (The cursor is the flasing indicator on the screen that shows where the next character will be inserted).

The Enter key moves the cursor to the beginning of the next line. It is used at the end of a paragraph, for instance.

Numeric Keys

The numeric keys (purple) serve one of two purposes, depending on the status of the Num Lock key. When the computer is in the Num Lock mode, these keys can be used to enter numeric data and mathematical symbols (/for"divined by, "*for"multiplied by"-,and+). In the Num Lock mode, the status light under "Num Lock" lights up. Whwn the computer is not in the Num Lock mode, the numeric keys can be used to move the cursor and perform other functions. For example ;

In some program the End key moves the cursor to the bottom-left corner of the screen.

This key moves the cursor down.

The Page Down key, PgDn, advances one full screen while the cursor stays in the same place.

This key moves the cursor to the left

This key moves the cursor to the right.

In some program the Home key moves the cursor to the top-left corner of the screen.

This key moves the cursor up.

The Page Up key, PgUp, back up to the previous screen while the cursor stays in the same place.

The Insert key, Ins, When toggled off causes keyed characters to override existing characters.

The Delete key, Del, deletes a character, space, or selected text.

Additional Keys

Extended keyboards include additional keys (green) that duplicate the cursor movement functions of the numeric keys. User who enter a lot of numeric data can leave their computers in the Num ock mode and use these additional keys to control the cursor. The arrow keys, to the left of the numeric keys, move the cursor position, just as the numeric keys 2,4,6, and 8 do when they are not in the Num Lock mode.

Just above the arrow keys are six keys-insert, Delete, Home, End, Pageup, and PageDown,-which duplicate functions of the numeric keys 0, decimal point (Del), 7,1,9, and 3.

At the top of the keyboard, to the right of the function keys, are keys that perform additional tasks. For example ;

The Print Screen key causes the current screen display to be printed. However, some programs will print a screen only when a printed page is full, so you may have to press the Print Screen key more than once.

The Scroll Lock key causes lines of text-not the cursor-to move when cursor keys are used. When the computer is in the Scroll Lock mode, the status light under " Scroll Lock" lights up

The Pause key cause the screen to pause when information is appearing on the screen too fast to read.

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