Input Devices
Introduction
Input devices are devices that allow a system operator (SYSOP) to interface
with a computer. You interface with the computer by entering your
commands into the computer system through a keyboard, a seamer, a mouse,
a trackball or joystick, a pressure sensitive or electronic tablet, or a light pen.
These are all input devices.
Keyboards
The keyboard is the primary means for inputting data into the computer.
Based on a standard typewriter keyboard, computer keyboards have
additional special-purpose keys, function keys, cursor movement keys, and a
numeric keypad. Keystrokes input text and characters into memory or on a
screen. Combinations of keystrokes prompt key functions such as holding,
underlining, and italicizing. An enhanced keyboard minimizes keystrokes by
using function keys like F1, F2, and so forth, to access functions or
commands. The following table lists special-purpose keys and their function:
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