What is a Computer Keyboard?
Keyboard is the most common input device. It is one of the most important parts of a computer which is used to enter commands, text, numerical data and other types of data by pressing the keys on the keyboard. A user talks with a computer through input devices such as keyboard.
Input devices are used to enter data to a computer.
Keyboards are an indispensable accessory for a computer. One of the most basic input devices, computer keyboards are used in navigation, execution of processes, programming and several other purposes. Several software based application directly derive their existence from a keyboard. For instance, social networking websites, programming languages, navigation over the computer menus etc. utilize a computer keyboard. Even this very article wouldn’t have been possible without a keyboard.
A normal computer keyboard is composed of around 110 keys. Although on the basis of key arrangements there are four major keyboard layouts being used worldwide, QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ and HCESAR, but they can be classified in many more different categories depending on types of computer connector, size, number of keys etc.
Standard Key Classification
The standard selection of keys typically found on computer keyboards can be classified as follows:
- Alphanumeric keys: The standard letters and numbers.
- Punctuation keys: The comma, period, semicolon, and similar keys.
- Special keys: This includes the function keys, control keys, arrow keys, caps Lock key, and so on.
Keyboard Elements
1. Alphanumeric keys – the alphabet keys along with row numbers and special characters. These keys match those on a typewriter.
- Alphabet keys
- Punctuation and special characters
- Actions keys
- Character selection keys
- Command control keys
- Enter key
- White space keys
- Number/special character keys
2. Cursor control key – located on the right side of the alphanumeric keys, this group of keys has two smaller groups of keys: the cursor function keys and cursor arrow keys.
3. Function keys- located across the top of a keyboard.
4. Numeric keypad – the number pad, which is located on the extreme right side of nearly all modern keyboards, contains keys for ten numbers, as well as the four arithmetic functions. This can also be used as a cursor control pad by toggling the NUM LOCK key.
5. Toggle and Lock keys
6. Special purpose keys
- ESC key
- Print Screen key
- Pause/break key
7. Window keys
Windows key
Application/Context key
Is there a Standard Computer Keyboard?
There is no standard computer keyboard, although many manufacturers imitate the keyboards of PCs. There are actually three different PC keyboards: the original PC keyboard, with 84 keys; the AT keyboard, also with 84 keys; and the enhanced keyboard, with 101 keys. The three differ somewhat in the placement of function keys, the Control key, the Return key, and the Shift keys.
Keyboard Layout and Design
1. 83-keys PC/XT keyboard – the keyboard included in the original IBM PC and the XT. An obsolete type, these keyboards only support the older computers such as IBM 8086/8088, XT-286. Not supported by present computers, keyboards are much larger than the modern keyboards and the “Enter” key is backward-“L” shaped.
2. 84-keys AT keyboard – it is a step closer to the standard keyboard layout used today.
3. Enhanced 101- keys keyboard - it is the one most familiar to computer users today. Later models are really just enhancements of the design. This is the industry standard today.
4. Windows 104- keys keyboard – this is identical to 101-keys keyboard layout except for the addition of three new keys; two Windows keys, located between the CTRL and ALT keys on both sides and an Application key on the right side, next to the Windows key.
5. Natural and Ergonomic Keyboard – this keyboard help relieve the stress caused by the position of the user’s hands and wrist and prevent repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
