Numeric keypad
The numeric keypad (also numeric keypad, numeric keypad, Num NumPad or block) referred to in the IT area a particular area of the keyboard of a computer. It is a remote area of the keyboard, used to enter numbers, arithmetic operators and special characters as Unicode number. It is located to the right of the normal input range with commercially available keyboards.
In the German keyboard, are in the range of the numeric keypad, the digits 0 to 9, the comma keys for entry of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division sign, Enter to confirm entries, and the Num -Lock for Activate the numeric keypad.
The keypad keys are partially occupied twice. Is the numeric keypad on the Num Lock key is inactive, serve his number keys for different cursor controls.
The arrangement of the numeric keys on a numeric keypad is similar to the arrangement of keys on the keyboard of a calculator. However, it differs from the arrangement with the telephone keypad, where the numbers 1, 2 and 3 sit up.
Alternative designs
Keyboards with small size, which are currently used for about netbooks and earlier were common in most notebooks, usually have no separate numeric keypad. Here is a range of normal keyboard has a function key, usually labeled " Fn " redefined as a numeric keypad. This enables much more keys have a triple occupancy. Meanwhile, a keyboard layout has prevailed with numeric keypad for notebooks from 15 inch screen size. Notebooks of this size without the numeric keypad can be found only rarely, including some model series by Dell. In this size, an additional number pad well be associated with disadvantages, such as the relocation of the typewriter keys and the touch pad away from the center and the center of gravity, smaller keys " Enter" unusual positioning of the cursor keys or similar restrictions that limited due to the surface may be necessary.
Keypads are also available as externally attachable to a computer device. This earlier PS/2- and serial interfaces were used nowadays require external numeric keypads usually a USB port. They must be used on devices with existing numeric keypad in the keyboard layout.