Keyboard

A keyboard is the principal input device of the computer also forming an important part of the computer hardware . A computer keyboard is quite like the normal keyboard used by typewriters but it has extra keys that are suited for different functions. The basic function of a keyboard is to input text and other characters. In addition to that it also controls many computer operations.

Appearance of Keyboard:

A keyboard is made of rectangular buttons or simply keys with characters printed on each key. Sometimes to get a desired symbol various keys have to be held together in various sequences. The different categories of keys on a computer keyboard are:

• Alphanumeric keys : These include numbers and alphabets.

• Punctuation keys : These keys have the symbols of comma, full stop, colon, semicolon, etc.

• Special keys : They are: control keys, caps lock key, arrow keys, function keys, etc.

Keyboard Layout :

The normal layout of alphabets, numerals and punctuation marks is called QWERTY keyboard as on a keyboard Q, W, E, R, T and Y are the first 6 keys of the alphabets row. This keyboard was created some time in the 1800's in order to slow down typists. In this way the keys did not get jammed. There is a different variety of keyboard known as DVORAK and it is specially meant for fast typing.

Other Forms of Keyboard:

There are plenty of manufacturers who copy PC keyboards. PC keyboards are of 3 types namely:

• Original PC keyboard

• The AT keyboard

• The Enhanced keyboard which has 101 keys.

A keyboard is so integral to a computer that one finds it very difficult to think of a computer without a keyboard .