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{{Short description|Data input device}}
{{Distinguish|keyboard computer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
[[File:Typing example.ogv|thumb|[[Typing]] on a laptop keyboard]]
A '''computer keyboard''' is a built-in or [[peripheral]] [[input device]] modeled after the [[typewriter]] keyboard<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thefreedictionary.com/computer+keyboard|title=computer keyboard|work=TheFreeDictionary.com|access-date=2018-06-26|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326195947/https://www.thefreedictionary.com/computer+keyboard|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-04 |title=Keyboard and mouse basics {{!}} nidirect |url=https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/keyboard-and-mouse-basics |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.nidirect.gov.uk |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707173045/https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/keyboard-and-mouse-basics |url-status=live }}</ref> which uses an arrangement of buttons or [[Push-button|keys]] to act as [[Mechanical keyboard|mechanical levers]] or [[Electronic switching system|electronic switches]]. Replacing early [[punched card]]s and [[paper tape]] technology, interaction via [[teleprinter]]-style keyboards have been the main [[input device|input method]] for [[computer]]s since the 1970s, supplemented by the [[computer mouse]] since the 1980s, and the [[touchscreen]] since the 2000s.
Keyboard keys (buttons) typically have a set of characters [[Engraving|engraved]] or [[Printing|printed]] on them, and each press of a key typically corresponds to a single written [[symbol]]. However, producing some symbols may require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence.<ref>{{cite book|title=New Directions in Behavioral Biometrics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rISKDQAAQBAJ |isbn=978-1315349312|author=Khalid Saeed|date=2016| publisher=CRC Press |access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref> While most keys produce [[character (computing)|characters]] ([[Letter (alphabet)|letters]], [[Numerical digit|numbers]] or symbols), other keys (such as the [[escape key]]) can prompt the computer to execute system commands. In a modern computer, the interpretation of key presses is generally left to the software: the information sent to the computer, the [[scan code]], tells it only which physical key (or keys) was pressed or released.<ref name="msusb13a">[http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/1/161ba512-40e2-4cc9-843a-923143f3456c/scancode.doc Microsoft Keyboard Scan Code Specification] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909230403/https://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/1/161ba512-40e2-4cc9-843a-923143f3456c/scancode.doc |date=9 September 2020 }} ([http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/1/161ba512-40e2-4cc9-843a-923143f3456c/scancode.doc Appendix C, "USB Keyboard/Keypad Page (0x07)"] ), [[Microsoft]]. Revision 1.3a, 2000-03-16, accessed 2018-10-13.</ref>
In normal usage, the keyboard is used as a [[text entry interface]] for typing text, numbers, and symbols into [[application software]] such as a [[word processor]], [[web browser]] or [[social media]] app. Touchscreens use [[virtual keyboard]]s.
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An optical keyboard technology<ref>{{cite web |title=What is an Optical Keyboard? |url=https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-optical-keyboard.htm |access-date=6 August 2018 |archive-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001541/https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-optical-keyboard.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=user-generated content, not a [[wp:reliable source]]|date=March 2023}} utilizes [[Light-emitting diode|LEDs]] and [[Photoelectric sensor|photo sensors]] to optically detect actuated keys. Most commonly the emitters and sensors are located in the perimeter, mounted on a small [[Printed circuit board|PCB]]. The [[light]] is directed from side to side of the keyboard interior and it can only be blocked by the actuated keys. Most optical keyboards<ref>{{cite web
|title=Best Optical Keyboards
|work=GamingFactors
|url=https://www.gamingfactors.com/best-optical-keyboard▼
|date=16 February 2018
|access-date=6 August 2018
|archive-date=7 August 2018
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{{Main|Esc key}}
<!-- some keyboards said "ESCAPE" - NYTimes agrees -->
The [[Esc key|escape key]] ({{keypress|esc}}) has a variety of meanings according to Operating System, application or both. "Nearly all of the time",<ref name=SF>{{cite web |title=The Qodem Homepage |website=SourceForge |url=
The escape key was part of the standard keyboard of the [[Teletype Model 33]] (introduced in 1964 and used with many early minicomputers).<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Gesswein |date=n.d. |url=https://www.pdp8.net/asr33/asr33.shtml |title=ASR 33 Information |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224071524/http://www.pdp8.net/asr33/asr33.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] [[VT50]], introduced July 1974, also had an Esc key. The [[TECO (text editor)|TECO]] text editor (ca 1963) and its descendant [[GNU Emacs|Emacs]] (ca 1985) use the Esc key extensively.
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=== Miscellaneous ===
[[File:Multimediakb.jpg|thumb|Multimedia buttons on some keyboards give quick access to the Internet or control the volume of the speakers.]]
On [[Keyboard layout#East Asian languages|Japanese/Korean keyboards]], there may be [[
Some keyboards have power management keys (e.g., power key, sleep key and wake key); Internet keys to access a web browser or [[
=== Multiple layouts ===
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== Illumination ==
[[File:
Keyboards and keypads may be illuminated from inside, especially on equipment for mobile use. Both keyboards built into computers and external ones may support backlighting; external backlit keyboards may have a wired USB connection, or be connected wirelessly and powered by batteries. Illumination facilitates the use of the keyboard or keypad in dark environments.
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[[Category:Computing input devices]]
[[Category:Flexible electronics]]
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