What is keyboard and its types

What is keyboard Types Of keyboard

Do you also want to know what is keyboard – (What is Keyboard) and how many types of keyboards are there? Then this post will prove to be very beneficial for you.

Hello friends I welcome you Sumit to our HE Blog, I hope you are healthy and safe. Friends, today we are going to talk about Keyboard.

Today we will know what is keyboard and how many types are there? So let’s know about the keyboard.

What is Keyboard

Keyboard is a peripheral device that enables the user to input text into a computer or any other electronic machinery. The keyboard is an input device and is the most basic way for the user to communicate with the computer.

The device is modeled after its predecessor, the typewriter, from which the keyboard inherited its layout. Although the keys or letters are arranged to act as electronic switches.

Keys include punctuation, alphanumeric, and special keys such as the Windows key and various multimedia keys that have specific functions assigned to them.

History of Keyboards

Computer and keyboard were not invented together. Computer keyboards were created only when the traditional methods of inputting data into computers – punch cards and paper tape – became obsolete. Computer keyboards evolved from teleprinters.

In 1575, an Italian printmaker, Francesco Rampazzato, built a machine to print individual letters on paper. In 1714, Henry Mill in Britain patented a machine for typing letters on paper.

In the early 1800s, several Italian inventors made versions of typewriters. An inventor, Agostino Fantoni, built his own typewriter to enable his blind sister to write. Modern typewriters invented and mass-produced since the 1860s

Computer keyboards evolved directly from teletypes or teleprinters. devices that can send and receive messages from one teleprinter to another or multiple teleprinters.

These devices used dedicated telephone circuits, phone company, switched networks such as radio waves and microwaves. Teleprinters also used modems to connect to computers via telephone lines and were used to make punch cards and paper tape for computers to process.

Teleprinters did a lot more than typewriters. They could also generate computer code and be controlled by computer code.

Today teleprinters have been replaced by computers and keyboards which do a lot. In software specifications, you may still see TTY which is shorthand for teletypewriter or another name for teleprinter.

Typewriters and computer keyboard layouts also have their own history. Most keyboards use the QWERTY layout. But there are other layouts as well. For example, dvorak and Colemak.

Keyboards found in non-English speaking countries use QWERTY as their starting point. Change keys and key combinations to print letters and characters unique to their language

keyboard parts

The keyboard mainly consists of the following parts

Alphanumeric keyboard

The alphanumeric keyboard is the primary part of the keyboard, along with letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and some symbol keys. Today, most users use QWERTY keyboards

Function keys

Function keys or F1 to F12 or F19 keys are often used as shortcut keys in programs. For example, the F1 key is the key to open Online Help for most programs.

Control and Toggle keys

Control keys or toggle keys give the user additional control over text manipulation and cursor placement. They can also be used as shortcut keys in many programs.

Keypad

Keypad is not available on all computer keyboards but especially laptops. Keypad gives user fast access to numbers and math functions like plus, divide, time and subtract.

Wrist pad

It helps in supporting the wrist of the user. Although many keyboards do not include a wrist pad, there are hundreds of different options that can be purchased at computer stores or online.

Experts debate the need for wrist pads and many ergonomic experts argue that wrist pads may be more stressful and cause carpal tunnel.

Arrow keys

Arrow keys are four directional keys that allow you to move the cursor or change the highlighted selection.

Keyboard Layouts

There are different types of keyboard layouts built on the basis of region and language used which are as follows –

QWERTY → This layout is the most widely used and is named after the first six letters (Q, W, E, R, T, Y) that appear on the top row. This layout is commonly produced today because of its popularity. You can see the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y in the first letter row in your mobile keyboard or computer keyboard.

It is so common around the world – even in countries that do not use a Latin-based alphabet for their language. Some people think it’s the only type of keyboard.

AZERTY → It was developed in France as a further variation on the QWERTY layout and is considered the standard French keyboard.

DVORAK → This layout was created to reduce finger movement while typing and generate faster typing speed than QWERTY or AZERTY. Overall it can be said that its layout starts with the characters D, V, O, R, A, K.

Types of Keyboard

Most computer users use the standard keyboard that connects to the computer. By the way, there are many types of computer keyboards which are as follows –

• Flexible Keyboard
• Egronomic Keyboard
• Wireless Keyboard
• Mechanical Keyboard
• Virtual Keyboard
• Projection Keyboard
• Gaming Keyboard

Flexible Keyboard

It is a type of keyboard which is highly portable and made of soft silicone. It is water and dust resistant and does not require frequent cleaning. It functions similar to a standard keyboard and connects to the computer via a USB connection serial port. These types of keyboards can also be more durable than traditional keyboards.

The Flexible Keyboard is made of soft silicone that protects it from many different substances. In addition, it does not make a sound when used. That’s why it is also called silent keyboard. These keyboards are useful for travel time as they can be wrapped in a bag and used when needed.

Egronomic Keyboard

This type of keyboard is beneficial for your body posture. Rather than adjusting the keyboard itself to fit it’s designed to give you smooth fit, ease of use and reduce stress

It is designed in such a way that instead of turning their hands, it allows users to straighten their hands. Generally, the space-bar is larger than on a regular keyboard which allows for faster typing.

Wireless Keyboard

It is a computer keyboard that is connected to a computer, laptop or tablet without any cables. It uses radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), or Bluetooth technology to connect with devices.

Users can move the wireless keyboard without having to put it on the desk as it provides portability and flexibility to the users. It is designed by Stainless Steel material which increases its life for a long time. This can be set up very easily by plugging the USB receiver into the computer.

It uses light waves to transmit signals to other infrared capable devices as it is based on infrared technology. Some wireless keyboards use radio frequency technology, which transmits signals ranging from 27 MHz to 2.4 GHz.

Mechanical Keyboard

It is made with high quality which is commonly used both at home and office. It is designed for long life with high durability and responsiveness.

It offers crisp click sound, moderate resistance, better gaming performance and better responsiveness to typing. It offers framing, switches, type print methods, functionality, PCB board construction, LED lighting or other better features than traditional rubber dome keyboards.

Virtual Keyboard

It is a software-based keyboard that enables users to type without the need for physical keys. This is an alternative to a physical keyboard or a digital representation of a QWERTY keyboard. This type of keyboard usually has several pages of characters including numbers, letters, punctuation marks, and symbols.

The keyboard also includes options to insert emoji, stickers or animated GIFs depending on the operating system of the device. Devices with Virtual Keyboard are tablets, smartphones and other portable devices. Because these devices do not require constant use of a physical keyboard.

Examples of virtual keyboard

Gboard → Google builds a virtual keyboard for Android and iOS that includes GIFs, customizable themes, and translation capabilities.

OSK → This stands for On-Screen Keyboard. It is commonly found in Microsoft Windows

Projection Keyboard

It is a form of computer input device that can also be connected via Bluetooth to a mini PC, tablet computer or smartphone.

In a projection keyboard, the image of the virtual keyboard is projected onto a surface. When a user touches any key from the keyboard shown on the surface, the device records the corresponding keystroke. Connected to some Bluetooth devices like tablets, smartphones, mini-PCs with Android, Windows operating system or iOS etc.

Gaming Keyboard

A keyboard that contains some specific keys used by gamers is known as Gaming Keyboard. W, S, D, A, and ARROW Arrow keys are widely used for games on standard QWERTY keyboards. Gaming Keyboard provides fast action for games.

in short

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