Figure 1-16.—Control keys.
CONTROL KEYS.— In looking at figure 1-16,
you will notice several keys are outlined in bold. These
are some of the more common control keys you can
expect to use when working with just about any
keyboard. Beginning in the top left-hand corner, you
see the ESC(ape) key, TAB key, CTRL (control) key,
SHIFT key, ALT (alternate) key, and to the immediate
right are the SPACE BAR and the CAPS LOCK key.
On the right-hand side of the keyboard are the BACK
SPACE key and the ENTER/RETURN key. Depending
on what program/software you are using, the keys may
be assigned different functions.
ESCape KEY The ESCAPE key usually stops
the execution of a program or functione
TAB KEY The TAB key moves the cursor to the
next tab stop position.
CTRL KEY The CONTROL key performs
special functions within the system/program. It
is used in combination with other keys to
increase the number of functions you can specify
to a system or program. For example, on most
IBM compatible systems, when used with the
ALT and DEL keys, it reboots the operating
system.
SHIFT KEY The SHIFT key works in
conjunction with other keys. When you hold
down the shift key (or depress the CAPS LOCK
key) and press a letter key, the letter will be
displayed and stored in UPPER CASE. When
you hold down the shift key with the number
keys on the row above the alphabetic keys, the
special characters shown on the top of each key
will be displayed and stored. The CAPS LOCK
key on this particular keyboard contains a light
within the key itself. When it is lit, you know the
caps lock feature is on.
ALT KEY The ALTERNATE key also works in
conjunction with other keys to increase the
number of functions you can communicate to the
system/program.
SPACE BAR Press the SPACE BAR whenever
you want to enter a blank character, a space.
BACK SPACE KEY Pressing the BACK
SPACE key moves the cursor one position to the
left, erasing the character that was previously
entered.
ENTER/RETURN KEY By pressing the
ENTER/RETURN key, you tell the computer
(microprocessor) you have entered data or
instructions and are ready for processing.
Depressing this key also returns the cursor to the
beginning of the next line.
SPECIAL FUNCTION KEYS.— If you look at
figure 1-17, you will notice once again several keys
outlined in bold. These are special function keys you
can expect to use. Located on the far left side of the
keyboard, you see 12 special function keys labeled F1
through F12. On some keyboards you will find these
function keys have been placed across the top of the
keyboard, above the letters and numbers. The number
of these function keys may also vary. To the right of the
keyboard is another group of special function keys.
Figure 1-17.—Special function keys.
1-17
