KEYBOARD The keyboard, which is the most commonly used input device , allow users to communicate with the

PC through keystrokes that represent data and commands. Every PC includes a keyboard in its standard package. The layout of a PC keyboard- the alphabetic, numeric, and special character keys can vary by continent, country, or language. However, with some minor exceptions, virtually all English language keyboards are the same. Alphabetic keys: The term alphabetic keys here refers to those that forms the main body of the keyboard including numbers and special characters above them, punctuation, and action keys. Cursor keys: Cursor keys are found only on the keyboard with more than 100 keys. This group of keys, which is located to the right of the alphabetic keys, comprises two smaller groups: the cursor control and the cursor command keys. Function keys: A keyboard fewer than 100 keys usually has 8 function keys located in two rows on the left side of the keyboard. Newer keyboard typically have a single rows of 12 function keys placed across the top of the keyboard. Number pad keys: All PC keyboard have a number of pad in one form or another. On older 83 and 54 keys keyboards, the number pad is placed on the top of alphabetic keys. Newer keyboards, with 101, 102 and 105 keys, place the number pad on the extreme right hand-side of the keyboard.

MOUSE

The mouse is a natural, inexpensive pointing device that has become a standard part of the PCs hardware. Introduced by Microsoft, but popularized by Apple Macintosh, the PC mouse really gained popularity after Windows and its graphical user interface (GUI) were released. There are basically three types of mouse. Mechanical mouse: this type of mouse was used with early Macintosh and PC GUI systems. In a mechanical mouse, moving a rubber ball causes a pair of wheels to spin. Sensors detect the movement of the wheels, and signals are send to the PC. Optomechanical mouse: this type of mouse uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to sense mouse movements. This is most commonly used type of mouse. Optical mouse: This type of mouse has no moving parts. The mechanical devices (ball, roller, and wheels) are replaced with an optical scanning system that detects the movement of the mouse over virtually surface.