FIVE MAJOR KEYS IN THE KEYBOARD.

The keyboard, as already defined, is the instruction messenger of the computer system. It is through the keyboard that messages are sent to the computer.

Therefore, before the functions of the keyboard are analyzed, it should be noted that the keyboard is divided into five components: (a) Function keys (b) cursor key (c) Typing keys (d) computer key (e) numeric keys.

FIVE MAJOR AREAS OF THE KEYBOARD:

The five major of the keyboard are:

A. Function keys 12

B. Cursor keys 4

C. Numeric key pad or calculator 17

D. Typing keys 51

E. Computer keys 14

A. FUNCTION KEY:

The function keys are 12 in number with series of tasks to be performed by each function key. It is when you get to any software package that they may be useful while its usefulness in each software is different from each other for F1 can be useful as HELP COMMAND in DATA BASE and F1 can be useful as ESCAPE in the NEWPS PACKAGE. In either case, the functions of all function keys are different in all software packages. It serves as a short cut command while we are operating on our software package. The function keys are usually at the top of each keyboard and labeled F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12.

B. THE CURSOR KEYS:

The cursor keys are only four (4) in number. i.e up, down, left, and right keys.

It is with the help of these cursors we can move to the right, left, up and down while we are on any software package.

C. THE NUMERIC KEY PAD:

The numeric key pad is one of the five major areas of the keyboard. They are 17 in number:

figures 0-9,’’ ‘’ * - + < Enter and delete .It has about 17 useful keys. It can also serve as a

complete computer keyboard as it has series of computer keys.

So also, it is also being used as a calculator after pressing one of its key – Num. LOCK. But 

immediately after use, we press the num. LOCK back i.e. to allow the other key functions.

D. THE TYPING KEYS:

The Typing keys are the major keys of the computer keys as it has four rolls of not less than 12 characters each, plus a long narrow bar underneath as the space bar. The Typewriter keys are having 51 useful keys on the computer keyboard. We can, categorically, say that without the knowledge of typewriting keys, no one can understand computer packages very well and have a perfect operation. One will be fast in operation and have capacity to do a lot of job Since the person is having a good typing knowledge. Which means, the typing keys are very necessary in computer knowledge? All other areas of computer are having lesser number of keys compared to Typing keys. 

E. THE COMPUTER KEY:

They are 14 and stated below:

1. Print screen:- print screen is to print all document or characters shown on the computer screen (Monitor) after we have it on our printer and use that command “ print screen”. It will start printing immediately we press print screen.

2. Scroll Lock:- it is being used to stop computer whenever it is showing to stop the monitor when showing directories on any kind of package. Immediately we press “scroll Lock “key, by the time our computer is scrolling, it will stop automatically.

3. Pause or Break: is serving as the same command as scroll lock. They are useful either way.

4. Insert: - insert is being used in any package as cancellation of the previous characters

while typing of replaced characters continues. Typing and deleting occur simultaneously.

5. Home: The home command is very useful while operating on our System. It is a command that takes us to the beginning of a line.

6. Page Up: - The Page Up command is to move our cursor to the previous page of our document.

7. Delete: - Delete key is being used to erase to the right immediately we press Delete key while backspacing key: Erases to the left.

8. End: - End command is controlling our cursor to move to the end of a line.

9. Page Down: - Page down command is being used to open the next page while dealing with our documents.

10. Enter Key:

a) Enter key is more or less the father of all keys as it is used to perform about two actions whenever we press it. When we use a command on the computer, it is then you press Enter key as it is the only acceptable slang that the computer understands before it can perform any type of action. Unless you press enter key after you have used your command the computer will not answer you. (I.e. for insertion of commands.)

b) Enter key is also used to create a new line.

11. Control Keys: - Control keys are on both sides of all computers right. It is being used as a short cut command whenever we get to our software package- Example: - if you want to save your file on the system, instead for you to press ALT + File + Menu+ save, you can just press control + s.

12. ALTERNATE KEYS: It is a command which is used to select a menu and sub-menu. It is created at both sides of the computer keyboards i.e. it is situated at the left side of the space bar and other by the right side of the space bar.

It can also be used as Mouse Engine whenever our mouse Engine is faulty or whenever we find it difficult or slow for what we want to do on our system. With the help of ALT key we can easily use our computer.

13. Tap key command: - The Tap key command is being used to leave five clear spaces at a time we press the key while operating our software package. We can use it as many time as we can.

14. Escapement (ESC) Command key - Escapement key is for the cancellation of all command whenever we don’t want to go further.