The generalized meaning of the word “keyboard” is a set of levers arranged in a certain order, used either to control a device or mechanism, or to enter data. To date, there are two main types of keyboards - alphanumeric and musical.
Everyone knows what a musical instrument keyboard is. This is a set of levers, clicking on which causes a sound of a certain tonality. The duration of the sound depends on the duration of pressing. Pressing these levers in a certain pace and order creates a melody.
But also the meaning of this word is associated with various input devices . By the type of information entered, they are divided into digital and alphanumeric. The most common and simplest type of numeric keypad is the dialer on the telephone. What is a phone keypad everyone knows. This is a collection of buttons that contains numbers from 0 to 9 and several additional keys that expand the functionality of the device. In the initial version, these were the end and redial buttons. Similar keyboards can also be seen on modern intercoms and combination locks, but the meaning of the additional buttons there is different.
More complicated in the performance of alphanumeric keyboards. In addition to the number buttons, they will contain keys that display letters, as well as a set that has special functions. We see an example of such a device in front of us - this is a
computer keyboard familiar to us
. The arrangement of the levers responsible for the letters is the same as on a typewriter. There are also numeric keys on top, but there is also a separate numeric keypad, which is convenient for quickly entering numbers. There are also
function keys, navigation and control buttons.
Keyboard typing is possible thanks to the standard arrangement of components. The shape or angle of inclination may vary slightly in different models, but the arrangement of letters, numbers always remains the same.
Keyboard Types
Keyboards according to the principle of performance and work are divided into mechanical and film. Mechanical are the most common. They are characterized by the presence of boards and metal contacts. What is a film keyboard? These are interconnected three films with a dielectric between them, on which the contours of the buttons are applied. The latest generation of film keyboards can be disassembled and washed.
In the struggle for consumers, manufacturers produce the most diverse types of this device. For gamers, special keyboards are developed that provide additional features during the game. For those who often use the Internet, there are devices that display the process of surfing the net. There are ergonomic models, the panel of which is curved at an angle, and the letter keys are divided into two zones - the right and left hands. There are models with various backlighting, a computer shutdown key and a number of other functions, but the most important thing when choosing a keyboard is its convenience: if the brushes are not in the right position, various diseases can develop. The appearance of the keyboard, of course, is important, but convenience and health are much more important.
We hope that it became clear to you what a keyboard is and what it is.