Keyboards

Most users are familiar with using keyboards to interact with computers. The keyboard should allow the user to perform all of the functions available on the interface. Users also employ keys to augment pointing-device functions.

Keyboards differ in the number and type of keys available. This guide uses a model to describe keyboards and keys. The model does not correspond directly to any existing keyboard, but it assumes a keyboard with a standard set of keys. Appendix B. "Keyboard Model and Key Bindings" lists the keys that comprise the model, along with their corresponding functions.

In addition to the standard letter, number, and character keys, the keyboard model has the following special keys:

1. Printing character keys: /, \ , and !
2. Modifier keys: Ctrl, Alt, and Shift
3. Function keys: F1 through F10
4. Arrow keys, also called directional keys: <, >, ^, and V
5. The following additional keys:
   • Backspace
   • Backtab
   • Begin
   • Cancel
   • Delete
   • End
   • Esc
   • Help
   • Insert
   • Menu
   • PageDown
   • PageUp
   • Enter
   • Return
   • Spacebar
   • Tab
6. The following optional keys (which, although useful, are either unnecessary or can be created by combinations of other keys):
   • CapsLock
   • Copy
   • Cut
   • keypadEnter
   • Home
   • ModeSwitch
   • NumLock
   • PageLeft
   • PageRight
   • Paste
   • ScrollLock
   • Select
   • Undo

Throughout this guide, descriptions use the keyboard model keys. When the user can use an optional key from the keyboard model, the optional key is also described. Each of the keys described in this model should be available either as specified or by using other keys or key combinations if the specified key is unavailable. Table 3 lists some of the most-often used alternative keys.

Table 3. Alternate Keys for Unavailable Specified Keys

Unavailable Specified Key	Key or Key Combination to Use
Cancel	Esc
Help	F1
Menu	Shift F10
F10	Shift Menu
Begin (and Home, if Home is available)	Alt <
End	Alt >