A COMPUTER KEYBOARD KEYS

Definition of Terms

Character keys – the keys marked with letters produce alphabetic characters.
The Shift Keys – You can type capital letters by holding down the shift key.
The Control Keys – the control key in conjunction with another key causes a different code to be sent to the computer, but it effect varies according to the program you are using.
Alternate Keys – It is used in the same manner as the control key but with a different effect depending on the software you are using.
The Escape Key - It is normally used to go back to a previous screen, previous application or to clear or to reset a command.
The Print Screen Keys – Sometimes you will want to print a copy of what you see on the screen.
The Function Keys - These keys from F1 to F12 are used to perform special functions. Each type of Software assigns different meaning to each key. Pressing a function key may allow the user to accomplish something quickly or it may be the only way to issue a command.
The Cursor – marks the screen location where the next character, number, or symbol will appear.
The Backspace Key – the backspace key deletes the character to the left of the cursor and moves the cursor one position to the left unless the cursor is already at the far left edge of the screen.
The Home and End Keys – Generally it can cause one character or one line in the direction of the arrow.
The Insert Key – This key allows you to insert characters to the left of the cursor.
The Delete key – To delete a character at the cursor position.
The Page Up and Page Down key – These two keys “Turn an electronic page”, press them to display information stored “above” or “below” the displayed screen information.
The Scroll Lock key – This special purpose key is defined differently for each type of software. This key locks the scrolling of the “electronic page”.
The Tab key – This key is labeled with two arrows and pressing this key usually causes the cursor to move one tab position to the right.