WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of

digitalized data) and manipulates it for some result based on a program
or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed. ...
Today's computers have both kinds of programming.
 BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

The basic parts of a desktop computer are the computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power
cord. Each part plays an important role whenever you use a computer.
Computer case

The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains
the main components of the computer, including the
motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power
supply. The front of the case usually has an On/Off button
and one or more optical drives.
Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. A desktop
case lies flat on a desk, and the monitor usually sits on top of
it. A tower case is tall and sits next to the monitor or on the
floor. All-in-one computers come with the internal
components built into the monitor, which eliminates the need
for a separate case.
Monitor

The monitor works with a video card, located inside the

computer case, to display images and text on the screen. Most
monitors have control buttons that allow you to change your
monitor's display settings, and some monitors also have built-in
speakers.
Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal display) or
LED (light-emitting diode) displays. These can be made very
thin, and they are often called flat-panel displays. Older
monitors use CRT (cathode ray tube) displays. CRT monitors
are much larger and heavier, and they take up more desk space.
Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are many different
types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the same basic tasks.
Mouse

The mouse is another important tool for communicating with computers.

Commonly known as a pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the
screen, click on them, and move them.

There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. The optical
mouse uses an electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean.
The mechanical mouse uses a rolling ball to detect movement and requires
regular cleaning to work properly.
Mouse alternatives
There are other devices that can do the same thing as a mouse. Many people find them easier to use,
and they also require less desk space than a traditional mouse. The most common mouse alternatives
are below.

•Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate freely. Instead of moving the device like a mouse, you
can roll the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.
•Touchpad: A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the pointer b
making a drawing motion with your finger. Touchpads are common on laptop computers.
COMPUTER
KEYBOARD
Description
A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter characters and functions into the
computer system by pressing buttons, or keys. It is the primary device used to enter text.
A keyboard typically contains keys for individual letters, numbers and special
characters, as well as keys for specific functions. A keyboard is connected to a computer
system using a cable or a wireless connection.
TYPICAL KEYBOARD FOR A DESKTOP
COMPUTER
Most keyboards have a very similar layout. The individual keys for letters, numbers and special characters are
collectively called the character keys. The layout of these keys is derived from the original layout of keys on a
typewriter. The most widely used layout in the English language is called QWERTY, named after the sequence of
the first six letters from the top left.
Other sets of keys common to almost all keyboards are entering and editing keys (e.g., Enter, Delete, Insert),
modifier keys (e.g., Control, Shift), navigation keys (e.g., arrows for up, down, left, right) and lock keys (e.g.,
Caps Lock). Additional keys are very operating system specific (such as the Windows and Apple keys).
Most keyboards also include a set of function keys at the top (F1, F2, etc.). The function keys typically perform a
very specific task within a particular software application. So, what they do may depend on what you are doing on
your computer at the time.
Most keyboards for desktop computers also contain a separate numeric keypad to the right. Even though
there are numeric keys already in a row near the top, having them all close together makes it faster to enter
numeric data. On smaller keyboards, like those on most laptops, these numeric keypads are typically no
longer present due to space constraints.
Here, you can see a typical keyboard layout. Keep in mind that there are many different variations on this
layout, although most manufacturers follow this general pattern:

Standard layout of keys

However, this general layout has remained remarkably unchanging over the years. This has made it
easy for users to transition from one computer system to the next and to use their typing skills on
multiple devices.
For many tasks, you need to press more than one key at the same time. For example, to get a capital
letter 'A,' you need to press the Shift key and the A key at the same time. When reading or writing
instructions for how to accomplish a particular task, this would be described as 'Shift + A.' As
another example, in most software applications, Ctrl + S means to save the current document. If you
have been using computers for some time, you are probably familiar with a number of such
combinations.
PARTS OF A COMPUTER KEYBOARD
Types of keyboard
Computer keyboard comes in several type and variation, however, the basic elements are the same
in all keyboards.
The most common types include
- 101 or 102-Key enhanced keyboard (this is a popular type of keyboard now used almost in all
system units)
- 104-Key Keyboard
Commonly, a keyboard layout type which is called QWERTY (takes its name from the first six
letters of the typing keys) is used widely for English language keyboard.
Basically, all keyboards have the following parts:-
Typing area
It looks and arranged like a traditional typewriter where you press alphabetic
keys. It holds alphabetic character such as letter, special characters and
numbers. This is the area you use mostly when you do word processing.
Function keys
The functions keys are located at the top of a keyboard and grouped into four.
There are 12 functions keys starting from F1 through F12. These keys are used
for special purposes and most programmers use these keys to do a specific task.
For example, if you are writing text with Microsoft Word and wanted to read Help,
you can press F1 to display the Help. F5 key will display Find and Replace dialogue
box. F12 key will display Save As dialogue box.
These keys used differently again in other applications, for example, if you are a user
of AutoCAD, pressing F2 will display AutoCAD text window.
Similarly, you can check all the keys and how they carry out specific task depending
on the type of application you are running. Most applications will tell on their manuals
and guides how these functions keys are used in the applications.
Generally, functions keys will greatly benefit you if you know how to use them well.
More on computer keyboard shortcuts...
FUNCTION KEYS
F1
•Almost always used as the help key, almost every program opens a help screen when this key is pressed.
•Windows Key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
•Open the Task Pane.
F2
•In Windows renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
•In Microsoft Excel edits the active cell.
•Alt+Ctrl+F2 opens document window in Microsoft Word.
•Ctrl+F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
•Quickly rename a selected file or folder.
F3
•Often opens a search feature for many programs including Microsoft Windows when at the Windows Desktop.
•In MS-DOS or Windows command line F3 will repeat the last command.
•In Microsoft Word Ctrl+F3 will lowercase any highlighted text.
•Shift+F3 will change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lower case or a capital letter at the beginning of
every word.
•Windows Key + F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
•In Windows Explorer start the search function.
•Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running macOS X.
F4
•Open find window in Windows 95 to XP.
•Open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
•Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+).
•Alt+F4 closes the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.
•Ctrl+F4 closes the open window or tab within the active window in Microsoft Windows.
F5
•In all modern Internet browsers, pressing F5 will refresh or reload the page or document window.
•Ctrl+F5 forces a complete refresh of the web page, clearing the cache and downloading all contents of the page again
•Refresh the list of contents in a folder.
•Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
•Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.
F6
•Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
•Ctrl+Shift+F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
•Reduce laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).
F7
•Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook,
etc.
•Shift+F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
•Increase laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).
F9
•Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
•Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.
•Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
•Reduce laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
•With macOS 10.3 or later, displays a thumbnail for each window in a single workspace.
•Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on an Apple computer running macOS X.
F10
•In Microsoft Windows activates the menu bar of an open application.
•Shift+F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
•Access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
•Increase laptop screen brightness (on some laptops)
•With macOS 10.3 or later, shows all open Windows for the active program.
F11
•Enter and exit fullscreen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
•Ctrl+F11 as the computer is starting to access the hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.
•Access the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
•With macOS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows the Desktop.
F12
•Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
•Ctrl+F12 opens a document In Word.
•Shift+F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl+S).
•Ctrl+Shift+F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
•Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
•Open Firebug or browser debug tool.
•With an Apple running macOS 10.4 or later, F12 shows or hides the Dashboard.
•Access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, allowing you to select a different device to boot from
(hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network).
F13 - F15
•On newer Apple keyboards the F13, F14, and F15 may be shown in place of the Print Screen key, Scroll lock key,
and Pause key.
F16 - F19
•On newer Apple keyboards the F16, F17, F18, and F19 keys are above the number pad.
F13 - F24
•Early IBM computers also had keyboards with F13 through F24 keys. However, because these keyboards are no
longer used, they are not listed on this page.
Numeric keypad
Numeric keypad is the other part of computer keyboard. Usually, it is located at the right side of a
keyboard. It is arranged like a standard calculator used to enter numerical data.
It can also be used as directional keys. Pressing the Num Lock key above the numeric keypad will tell
whether the keys are on numeric or directional mode. If it is on, it is on numeric mode and can enter
numbers. If it is off, it is on directional mode and only used for moving a cursor on screen UP, Down, Left
or Right.
Cursor and monitor controls
These are keys found between the typing keypad and the numeric keypad. It has two groups of keys,
arranged top and bottom.
The top keys holds Insert, Home, Page Up, Page Down, Delete, and End keys.
Insert key switches between insert and overtype modes. Home key brings you back at the beginning of a page. Page
Up and Page Down keys help you to move one page or screen up or down. Delete key erases a text or page. The End
key takes you at the end of a page.
The bottom keys are independent directional keys, which let you to move the cursor Left, Right, Up and Down. Status
lights, Escape key, Print Screen/SysRq, Scroll Lock, Pause/Break are user for frequent functions.
For example, if you press the Caps Lock on the typing keypad, the Caps Lock Status light tells you that is on and can
type Capital letters. You press Print Screen key if you want to save the current Window as an image.
These are the parts found in standard computer keyboard and mostly used in desktop computers.
Laptop and Notebook keyboard types are more compact, but recently we are beginning to see
laptops that have dedicated numeric keypads as well.
Other than the above parts, some keyboards incorporate additional buttons. These buttons used to
activate actions such as music buttons (play, pause, forward, rewind, stop and mute), Bluetooth, e-
mail and so on.
How keyboard connects to a computer?
computer Keyboard can connect with a computer through a cable or signal (wireless
connection). Until recently, a keyboard connects with the standard PS/2 type or Serial.
Now this trend is changed and the connection is replaced by USB (universal serial bus) and
wireless connectors. Most modern PCs (motherboards) even don’t have PS/2 connectors,
only USB.
Since there is no connection with main pc, wireless keyboard gets power from battery or AC
power connection. This is the side effect of wireless keyboards, you often change battery.
Conclusion
In summary, computer keyboard is an input device that can’t be escaped. When you buy
keyboards go for the known and best brand types, otherwise it will soon fail to operate.
Typing text
Whenever you need to type something in a program, e‑mail message, or text box, you'll see a
blinking vertical line
( ) called the cursor or insertion point. It shows where the text that you
type will begin. You can move the cursor by clicking in the desired location with the mouse,
or by using the navigation keys.
 
In addition to letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and symbols, the typing keys also include
Shift, Caps Lock, Tab, Enter, the Spacebar, and Backspace.
 Key
How to use it
name
Press Shift in combination with a letter to type an uppercase letter. Press Shift in
Shift combination with another key to type the symbol shown on the upper part of that
key.
Press Caps Lock once to type all letters as uppercase. Press Caps Lock again to turn
Caps
this function off. Your keyboard might have a light indicating whether Caps Lock is
Lock
on.
Press Tab to move the cursor several spaces forward. You can also press Tab to
Tab
move to the next text box on a form.
Press Enter to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. In a dialog box,
Enter
press Enter to select the highlighted button.
Spacebar Press the Spacebar to move the cursor one space forward.
Backspace Press Backspace to delete the character before the cursor, or the selected text.
Using keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are ways to perform actions by using your keyboard. They're called
shortcuts because they help you work faster. In fact, almost any action or command you can
perform with a mouse can be performed faster using one or more keys on your keyboard.
 
In Help topics, a plus sign (+) between two or more keys indicates that those keys should be
pressed in combination. For example, Ctrl + A means to press and hold Ctrl and then press A.
Ctrl + Shift + A means to press and hold Ctrl and Shift and then press A.
Useful shortcuts

The following table lists some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts. For a more detailed list, see
Keyboard shortcuts.
Press this To do this
Windows logo key
Open the Start menu

Alt + Tab Switch between open programs or windows

Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active program
Ctrl + S Save the current file or document (works in most programs)
Ctrl + C Copy the selected item
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + V Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
F1 Display Help for a program or Windows
Windows logo
key
Display Windows Help and Support

+ F1
Esc Cancel the current task
Open a menu of commands related to a selection in a program. Equivalent to
Application key
right-clicking the selection.
Using navigation keys

The navigation keys allow you to move the cursor, move around in documents and webpages,
and edit text. The following table lists some common functions of these keys.

Press this To do this

Left Arrow, Right
Move the cursor or selection one space or line in the direction of the
Arrow, Up Arrow, or
arrow, or scroll a webpage in the direction of the arrow
Down Arrow
Home Move the cursor to the end of a line or move to the top of a webpage
Move the cursor to the end of a line or move to the bottom of a
End
webpage
Ctrl + Home Move to the top of a document
Ctrl + End Move to the bottom of a document
Page Up Move the cursor or page up one screen
Page Down Move the cursor or page down one screen
Delete the character after the cursor, or the selected text; in Windows,
Delete
delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Turn Insert mode off or on. When Insert mode is on, text that you type
Insert is inserted at the cursor. When Insert mode is off, text that you type
replaces existing characters.
Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad arranges the numerals 0 though 9, the arithmetic operators + (addition), -
(subtraction), * (multiplication), and / (division), and the decimal point as they would appear on
a calculator or adding machine. These characters are duplicated elsewhere on the keyboard, of
course, but the keypad arrangement allows you to rapidly enter numerical data or mathematical
operations with one hand.

Numeric Keyboard
To use the numeric keypad to enter numbers, press Num Lock. Most
keyboards have a light that indicates whether Num Lock is on or off.
When Num Lock is off, the numeric keypad functions as a second set of
navigation keys (these functions are printed on the keys next to the
numerals or symbols).

You can use your numeric keypad to perform simple calculations with
Calculator.
Three odd keys
So far, we've discussed almost every key you're likely to use. But for the truly inquisitive,
let's explore the three most mysterious keys on the keyboard: PrtScn, Scroll Lock, and
Pause/Break.
 
PrtScn (or Print Screen)
A long time ago, this key actually did what it says—it sent the current screen of text to your
printer. Nowadays, pressing PrtScn captures an image of your entire screen (a "screen shot")
and copies it to the Clipboard in your computer's memory. From there you can paste it (Ctrl
+ V) into Microsoft Paint or another program and, if you want, print it from that program.
More obscure is SYS RQ, which shares the key with PrtScn on some keyboards.
Historically, SYS RQ was designed to be a "system request," but this command is not
enabled in Windows.
Tip
Press Alt + PrtScn to capture an image of just the active window, instead of the entire screen.
 
ScrLk (or Scroll Lock)
In most programs, pressing Scroll Lock has no effect. In a few programs, pressing Scroll
Lock changes the behavior of the arrow keys and the Page Up and Page Down keys;
pressing these keys causes the document to scroll without changing the position of the cursor
or selection. Your keyboard might have a light indicating whether Scroll Lock is on.
Pause/Break
This key is rarely used. In some older programs, pressing this key pauses the program or, in
combination with Ctrl, stops it from running.
 
Other keys
Some modern keyboards come with "hot keys" or buttons that give you quick, one-press access
to programs, files, or commands. Other models have volume controls, scroll wheels, zoom
wheels, and other gadgets. For details about these features, check the information that came
with your keyboard or computer, or go to the manufacturer's website.
Tips for using your keyboard safely
Using your keyboard properly can help avoid soreness or injury to your wrists, hands, and arms,
particularly if you use your computer for long periods. Here are a few tips to help improve
keyboard use:
 
 Place your keyboard at elbow level. Your upper arms should be relaxed at your sides.
 Center your keyboard in front of you. If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you can use
the spacebar as the centering point.
 Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so that you can use your whole
arm to reach for distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.
 Avoid resting your palms or wrists on any type of surface while typing. If your keyboard has
a palm rest, use it only during breaks from typing.
 While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.
 When you're not typing, relax your arms and hands.
 Take short breaks from computer use every 15 to 20 minutes.