Keyboarding Essentials

The Keyboard

  • A hardware input device that functions according to user instructions and transfers keystroke messages to the computer.
  • Comprises circuits, switches, and processors.
  • Keyboarding is the keyboard skill.
  • Keyboard connector: typically plugged into the rear of the CPU/motherboard via a purple PS/2 connector or a USB port.

Keyboarding

  • The ability to enter text by using the correct fingers without looking at the keys (touch typing).
  • Adequate keyboarding skills enable more effective and productive computer use.

Keyboard Layout

  • A standard keyboard has about 80–110 keys.
  • Most keyboards use the QWERTY layout, named for the first six letters in the top row.

Key Groups

  • Most keyboards have keys arranged in six groups:
    • Alphanumeric keys
    • Numeric keypad
    • Function keys
    • Arrow keys
    • Special keys
    • Escape key

Alphanumeric keys

  • Also known as alphameric.
  • Includes the letters A–Z (uppercase and lowercase), digits 0–9, and common symbols (e.g., @, #, *, %).

Numeric keypad

  • Also called the number pad or ten key.
  • A palm-sized section of about 17 keys on the far right.
  • Provides calculator-style efficiency for entering numbers.

Function keys

  • Composed of F1–F12.
  • Have various uses and can be combined with Alt or Ctrl in software.

Arrow keys

  • Move the cursor/insertion point in the direction indicated by each arrow.

Special keys

  • Used to perform functions such as launching applications, opening folders, or playing media.

Escape key

  • Located in the upper-left corner of the keyboard.
  • Typically used to quit, cancel, or abort a running process.

Alternate (Alt) key

  • Executes commands in combination with other keys.
  • Often used with Ctrl or Delete for shortcuts.

Tab key

  • Moves the cursor/insertion point to a preset position.
  • Used to indent paragraphs or create columns.

Backspace key

  • Removes (erases) the character to the left of the insertion point.

Caps Lock key

  • Toggles typing in all capital letters.
  • If Caps Lock is on and Shift is pressed, a lowercase letter is produced.

Control (Ctrl) key

  • Executes commands in combination with other keys.
  • Common pairs include Ctrl with other keys (e.g., Ctrl+C to copy).

Delete key

  • Removes (erases) the character to the right of the insertion point.

Delete vs. Backspace

  • Backspace deletes to the left of the cursor; Delete deletes to the right of the cursor.

History of the Keyboard

  • Christopher Latham Sholes (1819–1890) invented the first practical typewriter and helped develop the QWERTY layout.
  • The Sholes keyboard (circa 1874) laid the groundwork for modern keyboards.

Sholes Keyboard

  • Early layout with punctuation and special characters on dedicated keys.
  • Space bar featured prominently; analysis shows distribution of alpha characters by row.

The QWERTY History (overview)

  • The first keyboard was named QWERTY by using the top-row letters.
  • QWERTY persisted because users preferred the familiar layout from typewriters.
  • Christopher Sholes designed the keyboard to reduce typewriter jams and improve typing efficiency.

The Dvorak Keyboard (1936)

  • Dvorak analyzed QWERTY usage and identified inefficiencies.
  • Designed a layout with most-used letters under the stronger right hand and on the home row.
  • Vowels and commonly used characters placed to minimize finger movement.

Dvorak Keyboard (design goal)

  • Right hand handles the bulk of typing; left hand controls vowels and less-used characters.

Why Sholes's layout persisted

  • The most-used letters were spread across the keyboard in QWERTY to reduce jams and promote balance; it became the standard.

Inside Keyboard (how key presses are processed)

  • 1 The keyboard key is pressed on the keyboard.
  • 2 The keyboard controller sends the scan code to the keyboard buffer.
  • 3 The keyboard controller sends an interrupt request to the system software.
  • 4 The system software reads the scan code from the keyboard buffer.
  • 5 The system software passes the scan code to the CPU.

Inside Keyboard (summary)

  • The keyboard controller and buffer intermediary between key presses and the CPU.

Types of keyboards today

  • Wireless
  • Corded
  • Laptop
  • Gaming (e.g., Xbox, PlayStation)
  • Thumb-size (phones, PDAs, etc.)
  • Numeric
  • Virtual
  • Touch screens

Windows keys and shortcuts

  • CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu
  • ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs
  • ALT+F4: Quit current program
  • SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently
  • Windows logo key + L: Lock the computer

Windows program key combinations

  • CTRL+C: Copy
  • CTRL+X: Cut
  • CTRL+V: Paste
  • CTRL+Z: Undo
  • CTRL+B: Bold
  • CTRL+U: Underline
  • CTRL+I: Italic

General keyboard-only commands

  • F1: Help
  • F10: Activate menu bar options
  • SHIFT+F10: Open shortcut menu (context menu)

Additional general commands

  • CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Open Task Manager
  • ALT+DOWN ARROW: Open a drop-down list
  • SHIFT (while inserting a CD-ROM): Bypass AutoRun
  • ALT+SPACE: Open the window's System menu (restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close)