Modern keyboards have a huge number of keys, the functions of which are far from clear to all users. One of these can be attributed to Num Lock. What kind of key is, oddly enough, for many still remains a mystery. The maximum that a user who has recently sat on a computer can say about it is that after pressing it a green light comes on. This article will tell you not only that it is Num Lock, but also about the history of its appearance. It will not do without explaining the functions of the key and its location.
Definition
First of all, you need to define this key, because you need to understand what will be discussed. And we will start by translating the name. Numeric Lock (abbreviated Num Lock) translates as "digital lock", some also use a different wording - "fixation of numbers." The meaning of these words immediately becomes clear when the user learns about the functions that she performs. So, when you press it when the LED lights up, the digital panel is activated, after which you can use the keys located just below Num Lock to enter numbers. In another mode, when Num Lock is turned off and the light is off, these keys have a different meaning - they act as other keys, such as Home, End, PgDn and PgUp.
From this we can conclude that when Num Lock is on, the user gets access to enter numbers. The fact is that it is not convenient for everyone to enter numbers using the top row of the keyboard, and using a digital panel made in the style of a calculator is much easier. When "Nam bow" is off, the user gets access to the keys for interacting with the cursor.
Of course, not on all keyboards, but for the most part, turning this option on or off is accompanied by an indicator made in the form of a light bulb. Most often, it has a green glow, but, for example, on keyboards it can also be white, moreover, located directly under the key itself.
Where is?
So we found out that Num Lock is a pretty useful key that greatly simplifies the life of a simple user, but we have not yet told where it is.
The location of Num Lock is not a mystery for many, since its name is taken directly to the surface of the key. But if suddenly the font is erased, you can determine its location by reading the text below.
On the right side of the keyboard is a numeric keypad: from 0 to 9. The Num Lock key is located immediately above the 7. key. The secondary Home function is also written on it. To the right of “Nam Bow” is the division key - “÷” or in some variations it is indicated by the slash symbol - “/”. You can see the exact location in the image below.
Appearance story
Now let's move on to the most interesting - the history of the appearance of Num Lock. The idea for this function key originated at IBM in 1984. At that time, computer peripherals cost quite a lot of money and global brands did their best to reduce the cost of their product. IBM was the first to think of reducing the number of keys by assigning different functions to the same buttons. As you already know, they did it by switching the mode of using the digital panel using the Num Lock button.
Key Meaning
Now let's talk about the key functions that Num Lock activates on the keyboard.
| When on | When disconnected |
| 0 | Insert |
| one | End |
| 2 | Down |
| 3 | Page down |
| 4 | To the left |
| 5 | Nothing |
| 6 | To the right |
| 7 | Home |
| eight | Up |
| 9 | Page up |
| . | Delete |
Now you can easily navigate using the digital panel with both the Num Lock mode on and off. On this, in general, the story of the key can be completed.
Conclusion
Now you are aware that Num Lock is a key for switching the operating mode of the numeric keypad. As you can conclude, it is quite useful, because it expands the possibilities of using a computer device, thereby facilitating user interaction with the machine.