Keys Used

The keys with different functions are located on the keyboard. They can be grouped into four groups. They are :

1. Typewriter Keys

2. Numeric Keys

3. Operation Keys

4. Special keys and function keys

1. Type writer keys :

The numbers and letters in the typewriter keypad work in exactly the same way as on a normal typewriter. The Shift Keys change a letter to a capital letter or to  the upper character two characters are shown in the key.

In order to type a number of capitals successively, you can switch to upper case by pressing Caps lock. This mode has no effect on the special characters on the number keys or on the punctuation marks. A small lamp will light up when the capital letter mode is active. In this mode, you can produce small letters by holding down shift :

a) The hard carriage return on a typewriter (begin new line) is presented on computer by the enter key (may also read 'Return' and /or show an arrow pointing leftwards with short vertical extension)

2. The Numeric keypad :

The numeric keypad at the right hand side of the keyboard facilitates the typing of the numbers with one hand .

• Normally, these keys have the function of moving the cursor on the screen.
• When the numeric mode has been switched on using the Num lock key, these keys generate numbers. There is also a small light to indicate this mode.
• Press Num lock again to switch back to the normal mode.
• The following keys in the numeric keypad have function in text editing.
• On the 2,4,6 and 8 keys there are arrows for moving cursor.
• Under MS-DOS only, the left words arrow (delete) and right words (move) have effect.
• The Back space key in the type writer block can also be used to delete character to the left.  
• On the 0 key, there is also Ins (Insert). This function produces in the text to insert a character.
• On the decimal point (.) key, there is also Del (Delete). This function deletes the character at the current position. 
• The remaining number keys in this pad produces no effect under MS-DOS. Their functions depend upon the application. In a word processor (e.g. Word Perfect), they can be used as
• Home (7) - moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
• End (1) - moves the cursor to the end of the line. 
• PgUp (9) - moves the cursor to the previous (screen) page.
• PgDn(3) - moves the cursor to the next (screen) page   

3. Operation keys

Adjacent to the numeric keypad on PC keyboards, there are two keys with the names :

Scroll Lock/Break : stop screen contents (output) rolling.

Print Screen (Pr Sc) : transport screen contents to the printer.

On an MF keyboard these functions are divided over :

Print Screen :print screen contents

Scroll Lock : has no function under MS-DOS

Pause : interrupt command (e.g. Scroll)

In the upper left hand corner and along the bottom, you will find the following operation keys ;

Esc : return to the previous activity

Ctrl : control, regulate

Alt :Alternate, another code        

On M.F. keyboards, there are two Ctrl and Alt keys. In some applications it does make a difference whether you use right a Ctrl key or left Ctrl key. It also applies to the Shift keys. 

4. Function keys :

There are two vertical rows of five function keys on the PC keyboard. On an M.F. keyboard, there is a row of twelve function keys at the top. Their functions depend to a large extent on the application.

For example : The help menu is activated by F1.

  There are few programs which use F11 and F12. Under MS-DOS, only the keys F1 to F6 have a function when entering instructions.

For example ;

F1 : Shows the content of the previous command used, one character at a time, from the beginning

F3 : Shows entire command at once.

F6 : Saves the file contents.

Upper and Lower case : Upper case(Capital letter) and Lower case (Small) letter can be typed as follow :

•  .Normally, all letters are typed in lower case (small letters).
•   Shift key changes a letter to a capital letter.
•   Caps lock key can be used to type a number of upper case (capital letter) successively.
• Shift key may be pressed to type lower case letter when Caps lock is On.

Note : You can see small light emitter at the top right. 

The Return Key : The typed command is concluded by pressing Return (or Enter) key. The command does nothing or will not be executed until you press return to activate it.

The hard carriage return on type writer (begin new line is represented) in a computer by Return (or Enter) key (an arrow pointing leftwards with short vertical extension may be written the Return key)

Keys that move the cursor : A flashing underlined (_) symbol that you see on the screen is known as the cursor. The Space bar, Back space and up, down left and right arrow keys are used to move the cursor.

Space bar : moves the cursor to the right by one character.

Back space : deletes character to the left, moving the cursor towards left.

There are four arrow keys on the right bottom of your keyboard and on the 2, 4, 6,and 8 keys of numeric key pad, similar arrow keys are present to move the cursor.

Under the MS-DOS, only the following keys are used :

Left Arrow : deletes a character before the cursor, moving the cursor to the left.

Right Arrow : moves the cursor to the right by one character.

Under MS-DOS the Up Arrow and the Down Arrow have no effects.

Control key combinations : The Ctrl key is used in combination with other keys to perform certain tasks.

Ctrl+S : Ctrl keys with S(both pressed at the same time) is used to stop the scrolling of the screen.

Ctrl+C : This combination is used to cancel the command used.

Ctrl+Alt+Del :This combination is used to restart the computer (warm boot)

Ctrl+PrtSc : Print screen contents

Ctrl +Num lock(Pause) : Stop screen rolling. 

Note : The + sign indicates that keys should be pressed at the same time.