TERM | DEFINITION |
CPU
(Central Processing Unit) | internal operation unit or "brain" of computer |
DISK DRIVE | reads data from and writes data to a disk |
MONITOR | displays text and graphic on a screen |
MOUSE | used to input commands |
KEYBOARD | an arrangement of letter, figure, symbol, control, function, and editing keys and a numeric keypad |
ALPHANUMERIC KEYS | letters, numbers, and symbols |
NUMERIC KEYPAD | keys @ the right side of the keyboard used to enter numeric copy and perform calculations |
FUNCTION (F) KEYS | used to execute commands, sometimes with other keys. commands vary with software |
ARROW KEYS | move insertion point up, down, left or right |
ESCAPE (ESC) | closes a software menu or dialog box |
TAB | moves the insertion point to a present position |
CAPS LOCK | used to make all capital letters |
SHIFT | makes capital letters and symbols shown @ tops of number keys |
CONTROL (CTRL) | with other keys, executes commands |
ALTERNATE (ALT) | with other keys, executes commands |
SPACE BAR | inserts a space in text |
ENTER (RETURN) | moves insertion point to margin and down to next line. also used to execute commands |
DELETE | removes text to the right of insertion point |
NUM LOCK | activates/ deactivates numeric keypad |
INSERT | activates insert or type-over |
BACKSPACE | deletes text to the left of insertion point |
COMMAND | (MAC keyboards only)
with another key, executes commands that vary with software |