Keyboard

Keyboard 

A keyboard is one of the primary input devices used with a computer. Similar to an electric typewriter, a keyboard is composed of buttons used to create letters, numbers, and symbols, and perform additional functions. The following sections provide more in-depth information and answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the keyboard.

Keyboard overview

The following image shows a 104-key Saitek keyboard with arrows pointing to each section, including the control keys, function keys, LED indicators, wrist pad, arrow keys, and keypad.

What are the keyboard rows?

The horizontal rows of character keys have specific names. For example, when placing your hands on the keyboard, they should be positioned over the home row keys. The keys below the home row are called the bottom row keys, and above the home row, keys are the top row keys.

Keyboard ports and interfaces

Today, most desktop computer keyboards connect to the computer using either USB or Bluetooth for wireless communication. Before USB, a computer used PS/2, serial port, or AT (Din5) as a keyboard interface.