The Keyboard

• The Keyboards is used to enter data into a

computer.
• A standard IBM keyboard possesses 105
keys.
• It is designed similar to the typewriter
keyboard It was designed so for easy to
use, particularly for those who were
shifting from a typewriter to the computer.
Standard IBM keyboard

Space Bar
 Commonly used keys

• Number Keys: - Labelled 0, 1, 2, …, 9

- Are used to enter numbers into
a computer.
• Letter Keys: Labelled A though Z: Are used to
enter letters.
• Backspace Key: Used to delete a character
behind the cursor.
• Enter Key: Has two functions:
 Uses of of Enter Key
– When pressed in combination with letter keys it
changes the case mode.
– When pressed in combination with a two character
keys, it prints the character located at the upper
position.
• Tabulation Key: Moves the cursor eight
Tab character spaces forward.
i.e. indents the line.
• Special character keys: All characters that are
neither letters nor digits, include
keys such as &, *, (, ) , ‘ , @, #,
etc.
• Control Key: Used in combination with other
(Ctrl) keys to affect certain commands.
E.g. Ctrl + C: Copy a selected text
on a clipboard, Ctrl+ S saves a
document.
• Windows Key: Activate the Start menu.
• Alter Key: Used in combination with other
(Alt) keys to effect commands
Arrow Keys: Used navigate between
documents
• Left Arrow key: Moves the cursor one
character left.
• Right Arrow key: Moves the cursor one
character right.
• Up Arrow key: Moves the cursor one line up.

• Down Arrow key: Moves the cursor one line

down

• End Key: Moves the cursor to the end of

(End) the line.
• Home Key: Moves the cursor at the beginning of
(Home) the line.
• Delete Key: Deletes a character at in front of the
(Del) cursor.
• Insert Key: Enables you to enter the Insert
(Insert) and type-over modes while
editing a text
• Page UP Key : Moves the cursor at the
(Pg Up) beginning of the previous page.
• Page Down: Brings the cursor at the
(Pg Dn) beginning of the next page
• Print Screen: Copy the active contents of the
(PrntScr) screen to the clipboard. (This
content can then be pasted in
document or in Paintbrush.
• Functional key: Labelled F1 through F12:
Are used to execute certain
commands.
• Escape keys: Cancels a command
(Esc) (e.g. Activate the Start menu and
then press Esc key. The menu will
disappear).

Space bar Key: This is the longest key placed at the

middle of the lower part of the
keypad.
When pressed it moves the cursor to
the right
The Mouse
 The Mouse
• Is a pointing input device.
• Used to select commands as a way of inputting data into
a computer.
• The Mice has two buttons namely the left and right
button.
• To select a command just point to the command option
and “click” the mouse.
• The word “click” is commonly used to mean left click
which means press the left button and release.
• If the right button is to be pressed the term “right click”
is used.
• Right clicking without pointing to any option or object
displays a menu called Drop Down Menu. Modern mice
have rollers. This enables the user to scroll between the
documents.
• Instead of using a scroll bar, point anywhere in
a document, and move the roller to and fro as
you scroll between the document pages.
• When using a mouse you will sometimes be
required to make a double click or single click.
• In an event of a double click, the intervals
between the clicks should be as fast as
possible: otherwise, the two clicks may be
treated as two separate clicks.
• To open an Icon a double click is required
whereas to select an Icon or a button a single
click is needed.