Computer keyboard

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This article is about keyboard technology, the hardware. For the software that controls the keyboard,
see keyboard layout.

Not to be confused with keyboard computer.

Typing on a computer keyboard

Keyboard keys

Backlit keyboard
 A Lenovo's ThinkPad compact USB keyboard

A white standard wired chiclet keyboard (flat keyboard)

A traditional keyboard with bicolor keys

A computer keyboard is a typewriter-style device[1] which uses an arrangement of buttons

or keys to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Replacing early punched cards and paper
tape technology, interaction via teleprinter-style keyboards have been the main input
method for computers since the 1970s, supplemented by the computer mouse since the 1980s.
Keyboard keys (buttons) typically have a set of characters engraved or printed on them, and each
press of a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However, producing some symbols
may require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence.[2] While most
keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or symbols (characters), other keys or simultaneous key
presses can prompt the computer to execute system commands, such as such as the Control-Alt-
Delete combination used with Microsoft Windows.[3][4] In a modern computer, the interpretation of key
presses is generally left to the software: the information sent to the computer, the scan code, tells it
only which key (or keys) on which row and column, was pressed or released.[5]
In normal usage, the keyboard is used as a text entry interface for typing text, numbers, and symbols
into application software such as a word processor, web browser or social media app.

Contents

 1History
 2Types and standards
o 2.1Desktop or full-size
o 2.2Laptop-size
o 2.3Flexible keyboards
o 2.4Handheld
o 2.5Thumb-sized
o 2.6Multifunctional
 3Non-standard layout and special-use types
o 3.1Chorded
o 3.2Software
o 3.3Projection
 o 3.4Optical keyboard technology
 4Key types
o 4.1Alphanumeric
o 4.2Modifier keys
o 4.3Cursor keys
o 4.4System commands
 4.4.1Break key
 4.4.2Escape key
 4.4.2.1ESC origins
 4.4.3Enter key
 4.4.4Shift key
 4.4.5Menu key
o 4.5Number pad
o 4.6Miscellaneous
o 4.7Multiple layouts
 5Illumination
 6Technology
o 6.1Key switches
o 6.2Control processor
o 6.3Connection types
 7Alternative text-entering methods
 8Other issues
o 8.1Keystroke logging
o 8.2Physical injury
 9See also
 10References
 11External links