Keyboard Key Assignment

The keyboard is one of the most useful computer hardware devices. In addition to letters and numbers, it still has a ton of other keys, the purpose of which is not always clear to the average user. In the article, we will try to deal with this issue.

What is the purpose of the keyboard keys

The keyboard is a kind of intermediary between the user and the PC, a smart tool with which a person performs his work quickly and efficiently. By pressing certain buttons on the keyboard, he sends PC commands.

Most of the buttons on the front side have letters, numbers, punctuation marks and special icons. Russian letters are small, and English letters are large. With numbers and letters - the main ones. However, there is another keyboard: office with editorial, auxiliary, special, functional and managerial. Each of them is responsible for something and has a specific designation.

Alphanumeric

These are buttons that have letters with numeric characters, braces and other icons for text. A group of buttons is needed to print and paste text using small lowercase letters with numbers and other characters.

The letters of the alphabet are located on three lines in the middle according to the QWERTY principle, which was invented by the scientist Scholes by analogy with a typewriter. Auxiliary buttons for typing are on the right and left hand. Using them, you can edit the text, remove unnecessary characters and change uppercase to capital letters.

The numbers are located on the second row from the top after the F series function keys, as well as in a small square to the right. The latter are used in counting operations with the table. In addition to the numbers on the second row from the top and 7 letters to the right are various symbols. They can insert text by holding down the combination of Shift + number and Shift + Alt + number, depending on which character is required. So, the first combination is used to get the left character, and the second - the right one.

Office

Utility - special modifiers that change the direction of action of other buttons. To make them convenient to use and actively use, they are duplicated on both hands by the user and have an enlarged view, compared to the rest.

The following are considered as official:

  • Caps lock (capitals lock);
  • Shift
  • Ctrl;
  • Alt
  • Num Lock

The first is a button for automatically or continuously changing letters to large or small. The translation sounds like a button for fixing lowercase letters. The second key is a modifier used to translate a lowercase letter to a capital letter. Unlike Caps Lock, the action continues once. Interestingly, if you press the combination Shift + 2/4/6/8 on the square panel of numbers, then the user keyboard can be used as a computer mouse.

Ctrl - A convenient modifier for calling the toolbar, task manager and text editing. A combination of Ctrl C and V is often used to crop and paste photos / text.

Alt - key, the main purpose of which is to change the values ​​of other buttons. This is also a modifier that allows you to organize the expansion of the number of events that appear in any program. For example, Alt is actively used in Photoshop. With it, you can open the toolbar, crop layers, do retouching and other actions. Literal translation Alt - alternation and change, an alternative solution.

Num lock - a functional button, necessary for the user so that he can switch and do the fixation of numbers in a square digital block. The translation reflects the main objective of the modifier - digital fixation.

For editing

Editing keys include utility Space, Backspace, Delete, and Insert. Their purpose is to actively assist the user in typing and correcting the written text. Space is the longest of them, which is always located down the center of the PC. The name reflects the purpose - to leave spaces between characters.

Backspace - a small elongated button in the right corner. Allows you to erase a written word or sign. Outside the text helps to return to the previous page on the Internet.

Delete - A key to delete characters to the right of the mouse. It also allows you to delete pictures with unnecessary files.

Insert - a key that is not always present on stationary personal computers and laptops. Its purpose is to replace characters, cut out information and paste something into the text. For example, if in Excel you need to select a table and drag it to another page, then when selecting, the Insert + Ctrl command is clamped and dragged to the desired area. To insert and end the command, press Shift + Insert.

Important! Today, the button is losing its importance due to the simplification of work with many embedded Windows systems.

Of special

Special keys - auxiliary modifiers on any desktop PCs and laptops. These include:

  • Esc
  • Enter
  • Tab.

Esc in text mode, cancels the last committed action, closes the program. Out of text, allows you to exit the menu, close the screen or games and other commands. Literal translation is an escape. Hence the purpose - to exit.

Enter - a button to go to a new line, confirm a specific command, approve a running program, etc. It is actively used to enter information.

Tab - Tab modifier used in the Word text editor. Allows you to create a horizontal indent to create a red line, documents for personal and official purposes, insert pictures and correctly place them in a document, etc.

Functional

Functional - shortcut keys. Application: performance of operational and service tasks. These include buttons of the Function keys or F group. They are located at the very top of the keyboard, programmed for their purpose. Depending on the opening and use of the program, the goal may change. F1 is the only non-replaceable team. It opens the information reference block and allows you to perform a functional task: open the task manager, solve the problem, restart the PC, find out additional features of the PC and much more.

Intended for cursor control

The cursor keys, starting from the group name, are designed to help control the screen without the help of a computer mouse. Their task is to control the mouse arrow in documents, web pages, text and other programs. Typically, these buttons include:

  • Home
  • Pg Up;
  • Pg Dn;
  • End.

Also, in order to control the cursor, use the numbers from the square block on the right - 2, 4, 6 and 8, which contain the control arrows.

Digital

Numeric keys are needed to quickly and without errors enter numbers into electronic documents. This is a group from the right corner of numbers with numeric keys from 0 to 9, addition symbols with subtraction, multiplication and division.

Interesting! To simplify the work with numbers, Enter and Delete are provided on some stationary PCs and laptops, as well as arrows that can be used instead of the cursor.

What is the purpose of the auxiliary keys

The auxiliary type of keys on the keyboard, based on its name, is designed to make the user’s work with working documents and programs easier and faster. Also their purpose is to reveal the potential of the application of the operating system. These include Print Screen, Windows, Fn, a button with a screen icon or Context, Payse Break. The first is for taking a screenshot. It is actively used by the user when it is required to take a photo of the image on the screen and transfer it via the Internet. The second calls the Windows system menu. The third is needed to combine functions together. For example, you can combine Caps Lock, Shift and Ctrl and more. The fourth is intended to open the context menu. The latter is needed to interrupt any action. For example, it will come in handy if the text delete command to the right of the cursor is turned on automatically and needs to be turned off.

In general, the keyboard keys in its entirety allow you to make working with computer equipment faster and easier. Thanks to them, it becomes operational and effective in any program of the operating system and the global Internet. There is a special visual aid for beginners with a detailed description that will help you quickly understand what each button on the keyboard means.

Watch the video: Custom Keyboard Layout for Windows 10 (March 2024).

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