Classic Keyboard – Description

Category type: Digital literacy

Category: Keyboard

Author: Aleksejs Volkovs

Published: 15/03/2025 07:45

Description

A detailed guide to the keyboard layout, including the main sections: letter and system keys, control block, and number block. Learn about function keys, shortcuts, and key purposes.

Keyboard Sections

The keyboard consists of three main sections:

  1. Main block (letter and system keys, located on the far left)
  2. Control block (between the letter and number blocks)
  3. Number block (on the far right, if available)

Main Block: Letters, Numbers, and System Keys

Bottom Row (First Row)

  • In the very bottom row is the space bar — a long key in the center.
  • To the left of the space bar:
    • Alt – auxiliary key.
    • Windows key – opens the Start menu.
    • Ctrl (Control) – used in key combinations.
  • To the right of the space bar:
    • Alt.
    • Context menu key (may not be present on some keyboards).
    • Ctrl (Control).

Second Row (Shift Row — Letters on the Left)

  • Shift – long key on the left and right (changes letter case).
  • Between the Shift keys are the letters:
    • Z, X, C, V, B, N, M
  • To the right of M:
    • , (comma)
    • . (period)
    • / (slash)

Third Row (Caps Lock Row — Letters in the Middle)

  • Caps Lock – on the left (enables uppercase letters).
  • Then come the letters:
    • A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L
  • To the right of L:
    • ; (semicolon)
    • ' (apostrophe)
  • In the far-right corner:
    • Enter – moves to a new line.

Fourth Row (Tab Row — Letters on the Top)

  • Tab – on the left (creates an indent).
  • Then come the letters:
    • Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P
  • To the right of P:
    • [ (opening bracket)
    • ] (closing bracket)
  • After them:
    • Enter key.

Fifth Row (Number Row — Above the Letters)

  • ` (grave accent / tilde) – on the left.
  • Then come the numbers:
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0
  • Next:
    • - (minus)
    • = (equals)
  • To the right:
    • Backspace – deletes characters.

Sixth Row (Function Keys — Top of the Keyboard)

  • Esc (Escape) – top-left corner (cancels an action).
  • Next to it are:
    • F1 – F12 – function keys.
  • To the right:
    • Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause

Control Block (Middle Section)

  • Arrow keys (bottom) – for cursor movement.
  • Above the arrow keys:
    • Insert, Delete – insert and delete.
    • Home, End – beginning and end of a line.
    • Page Up, Page Down – scrolling.

Number Block (On the Right, If Available)

  • Num Lock – enables numeric keypad.
  • 0–9 – main numbers.
  • *, +, -, / – mathematical operations.
  • Enter – confirmation key.