Keyboard What is it, what is it for, types and functions of the keys?

The keyboard of our computer is one of the tools with which we interact the most on a daily basis, but I am almost sure that you do not know all the mysteries that it hides from us with the naked eye. This is one of the hardware that has evolved the most, being essential to guarantee an excellent user experience.

more than likely ignore the hundreds of changes that have been made to these over the years. It’s normal, we are currently so immersed in various tasks that it is logical that we overlook the most common things, but this does not mean that it is okay.

In this article we are going to talk to you about the keyboard so that you know everything about it, from its history and functions to the most representative changes it has had over the years. In this way we are sure that you will better appreciate everything that has to do with it.

What is a computer keyboard? Origin and history

The keyboard is an input device that is part of the hardware of our computer. Input means that its main function is to enter information, either in the form of text or numbers. As we can imagine, its origin dates back to the not so distant era of typewriters.

So we can easily say that a keyboard is a modern version of the old typewritersbut the question is when and how did typewriters really become keyboards?

We know that the first computers were created to analyze and process data and these were then reflected on paper. Therefore, computers did not have what we know today as a monitor or screen, so How did they know the keyboard was working if they couldn’t see what was being done? simple answer, with a light system on a panel.

The arrival of the keyboard as we know it now, came with the entry of home computers into the market in the 1980s or sobeing the IBM industry the one that quickly dominated the hardware market, with all its devices for the new computers of the time.

Although it may be hard for you to believe, the operation of a keyboard is much more complex than simple letters and numbers. This is because each key is not equivalent to what is printed on it but to a numerical value that is linked to the position it occupies on the keyboard.

This can only work with a microcontroller, an installed program, which is executed on every keystroke, and when this happens a matrix scan is carried out that tells the computer which keys are pressed, in what order they were pressed, which ones are being continuously pulsed and which were depulsed.

The 10 best-selling keyboards

We know that when buy a keyboard it is difficult to choose one, that is why we will show you below a list with the 10 best-selling keyboards of the moment so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

What is it for and what are the main functions of the keyboard in computing?

The functions of the keyboard are as varied as they are simpleas already mentioned, is an input device, which allows the computer to receive data, for both writers and programmers this is an essential tool when working, since it allows us to enter and store thoughts and ideas.

to the programmers allows them to enter orders and commandsand for the rest of the people it facilitates communication, among other things the keyboard is simply a tool that gives us control over the computer software, even if it is to play.

How many types of keyboards are there and what are their functions?

Depending on the purpose for which you use your computer, it will be necessary and advisable to use each type of keyboard and below I present the different existing types so that you can inform yourself and make your choice.

standard keyboard

The model created by IBM was based on typewriters, and this in turn transcended influencing the marketso that the entire industry in one way or another generally produced the same design or the same distribution on the keyboard keys, with slight variations with the number of these, being 104-key keyboard for US English and 105-key for Latin due to the inclusion of the “Ñ”.

ergonomic keyboard

This type of keyboards have the peculiarity that they are made adapted to the natural shape of our body, with a V-shaped curve conformation and slightly softened keys making it easier to press, therefore they are ideal for working for hours in front of the PC, avoiding certain injuries and pathologies that we can develop if we spend a lot of time in front of the computer, and with the great advantage that we can increase productivity at work.

media keyboard

multimedia keyboards they are characterized by having the same conformation as a standard keyboardbut with the difference that at the top, bottom or on some side, have built-in keys for playback, volume, brightness, shortcuts to emails, calculators or other functional applicationsand depending on the area in which you work, this keyboard may be optimal for you since it allows you to save time, shortening some steps in your daily operations.

flexible keyboard

They literally come rolled up on themselves, therefore they are very flexible, they are portable and due to their flexibility they are easily adaptable to non-flat surfaces. perfect for travel and camping, they are very thin internally, and are covered by a plastic known as “silicone”which makes it practically waterproof, this makes them perfect for laboratory analysts, who need to work in completely sterile environments, because they can regularly apply cleaning with alcohol or other disinfectants.

On-screen or touch keyboard

The on-screen keyboard can be a rarely used alternative on computers, and unknown to many, but in emergencies it can save the day if it is the case that some keys stop working or unfortunately a liquid is spilled on your physical keyboard , you can quickly access it from “beginning” later “windows accessories” and finally “tabtipOn the other hand, in smartphones and tablets it is very common to use this type of touch keyboard.

Keyboards by connection

Another way to classify keyboards is by how they connect to computers. In this sense we can identify the following.

USB keyboards

We will only talk about two of them because the others are already extinct and they were mostly replaced by USB keyboardsbecause as it is a standard port of entry, it facilitates its commercialization and its use regardless of the brand of computer that is used.

wireless keyboards

We also have the wireless keyboards that can be via infrared, bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connectionwhich at the time I’m sure will replace USB.

mechanical keyboards

These types of keyboards are usually preferred by many gamers and office workersand they are right to prefer them because of their resistance, some writers also prefer them because lightens their step with each beat this thanks to the letters are written halfway and it is not necessary to press the key all the way down for it to activate, unlike the slightly more modern rubber keyboards. Mechanical keyboards require a bit of dexterity at first but eventually the habit wears out.

capacitive keyboards

The name will sound strange to you, as much as it did to me the first time I read it, but the truth is that It is one of the best quality types of keyboard that you can find on the market. Although they are a bit expensive, they are worth it. Its operation comes from a difference in capacitance, this means under each pulse there is a mini capacitor which, when pressed, sends an electrical impulse, which is detected and processed by the computer.

projection keyboards

These are the most futuristic model of keyboards in my opinion, since its operation is with laser and it is literally a projectionon your desktop, that is, a virtual keyboard with either a Bluetooth or WIFI connection, is a very practical model, although a bit disadvantageous when it comes to productivity or quick responses for gamers, who probably want to feel the pressure in their hands .

These were all the keyboards that are currently in use, I have left out a few types because they are already obsolete and you will hardly be able to find them in the market.

What parts and types of keys does a computer keyboard have?

The traditional keyboard can be easily divided between 5 parts or groups with functions and different purposes, presented below.

Alphanumeric keys

This group represents the thickness of the keyboard, it is the one with the largest number of keys and therefore the most used, it includes the entire upper numeric keyboard located just below the group of function keys, and all the letters of the alphabet also includes expression symbols question mark, semicolons in addition to the arrow key “enter”, “space” and the key “go back or erase”.

It is used to write or write, whether it is jobs, articles, or messages, in order to enter text into the computer, it is the main way of entering data into the computer.

Numeric keys

The numeric keypad located as shown, on the right side of the keyboard, includes all the numbers from 0 to 9 and the symbols for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This group of the keyboard is excellent for carrying out mathematical operations, it can be activated and deactivated by pressing the special key “bloq NUM”.

control keys

This small group of keys is made up of the keys “Ctrl”, “Shift”, “Esc” Y “Alt” that either together or separately can trigger different actions that we will learn about later.

Navigation keys

The navigation keys is another small group that is made up of the keys “ini”, “Delete”, “Page Up”, “Page Down”, “PrtImp” and scroll cursors “up”, “down”, “left” and “right”.

function keys

The function keys are the group that is located at the top of the keyboard just above the alphanumeric keyboard, and even though they are rarely used by most people, they have excellent functions according to the program with which we are working and can function as great shortcuts, understands the keys from F1 to F12.

What does QWERTY mean, the famous layout of the keys on a keyboard? Are there other distributions?

The layout of the keyboards was inherited from the typewriters of yesteryear, therefore, QWERTY It has no greater meaning than the symbolic memory of another time. They are called that because they are the first letters that appear in the upper left area of ​​the group of alphanumeric keys.

Originally in typewriters the configuration was adopted QWERTY for separate the keys of the letters that were repeated the most in order to avoid the jamming of the machines, which worked with small mechanical arms and it really was a resounding success.

This configuration of letters was transmitted through of time and today all American and Latin American devices have this configuration and also the Spanish ones.

Now we have also heard that there are more configurations in the layout of the keys on the keyboard and we have heard quite a lot about the configuration QWERTY It is one of the least ergonomic, but as they say, bad grass never dies, and in this case, custom has been more powerful than the health of our hands for these companies.

The best known keyboard variant besides the QWERTY is the AZERTY, setting used in France mainly and in Belgium alsoand the other equally well-known variant is QWERTZ, and it is the most used in countries like Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Among the most ergonomic recommended configurations we have the Drovak keyboard which is characteristic for reducing the effort when writing with it, thanks to the fact that this configuration includes all the most used vowels and consonants in the central row, which is where they teach us to place our fingers in typing courses, and therefore increasing writing speed.

List of the main keyboard shortcuts and key combinations

Now moving on to the most functional point of this article you will learn the best key combinations time savers that you can activate with your keyboard and that you probably don’t know about.

We start with the function keys:

• F1: to access help information for the program or application you are using.
• F2: selecting a previous file, and pressing this function automatically appears to modify its name.
• F3: function that allows us to open the search menu of the application that we are running.
• F4: used together with Alt is the fastest way to close applications.
• F5: It is used to reload the pages automatically.
• F6: allows us to access various menus of a program and then move through them with the navigation keys.
• F7: With this function it is possible to move the mouse cursor without moving the mouse directly, doing it with the navigation keys.
• F8: when we have failures in our pc and we need to find out what they are we can access the safe mode by pressing this key when turning on the pc
• F10: This function allows us to access the navigation bar of the applications or programs that we are using.
• F11: It is used to access the full screen mode of the application that we are using, but only if it is available.
• F12: In most programs where you create and save documents or files, or even play games, this command brings up the screen to save your progress.

Now we are going to see some of the most used keys of the most well-known keys and their function:

• Shift: This key is used in combination, and when combined with letters, they are written in upper case if the general keyboard is in lower case, or converted to lower case in case the general keyboard is in upper case. And if it is a number key with a symbol at the top, then combined with Shift, that symbol will appear.
• Caps LOCK: just pressing this key converts the entire alphabetic keyboard to uppercase or lowercase at your convenience.
• Tab: It is used to move the cursor in writing programs such as Microsoft Word, and in other programs it is used to move around the interface without the help of the mouse.
• Enter: it is used to execute previously selected elements, send messages, and in programs such as Microsoft Word to jump to the next line.
• Space: the space bar simply moves the cursor forward one space in the text.
• Back: it is used to go back a space or simply delete a space.
• Delete: It is used to delete a previously selected item or file.
• esc: minimize playback screens, universal game pause, backspace among other related functions.

And finally I am going to show you the most useful combined commands to increase your productivity when using your computer:

• Alt+F4: used to close anything immediately and if nothing is open the dialog menu to shut down the computer will appear.
• Alt+Tab: allows you to see open programs and navigate between them ideal for quick minimizing, or changing screens of games or movies.
• Ctrl+Esc: minimize any program that is running in fullscreen.
• Ctrl+S: Automatic saving of the document that is open.
• Ctrl+C: copy a selected item.
• Ctrl+V: paste a selected item.
• Ctrl+X: cut a selected element-
• Ctrl+A either Ctrl+E: select all the elements present.