                      Overview of Special Keyboard Keys


There are two categories of special keyboard keys that have special meaning to
DOS: "DOS Editing Keys" and "Control-Function Keys."


       DOS EDITING KEYS:  BACKSPACE  DEL  ESC  F1  F2  F3  F4  F5  INS

These keys allow you to edit a command before submitting it to DOS for
execution.  When you type a command and press the RETURN key, DOS will execute
the command and store a copy of the command in memory.  The stored copy of the
command is called the "retained line."  The command you are typing is called the
"current line."  The editing keys allow you to make changes to the current line.
They also allow you to copy all or part of the retained line into the current
line.  This is a time-saving feature that is useful when you have made a mistake
in a DOS command, or when you need to re-issue the previous command.


       "CONTROL-FUNCTION" KEYS:  CTRL  RETURN  BREAK  NUM LOCK  PRTSC

These keys are used to perform special DOS functions.  Many of these functions
are initiated by the combination of two keys, usually the CTRL key plus another
key.  When the CTRL key is used with another key, the function initiated gets
immediate attention.  For example, the CTRL key plus the BREAK key terminates
the command that is currently being processed.  With these keys, you can perform
such operations as "print the screen,"  "printer echo,"  "halt processing" of
the current process, and more.



Note:  If you are using an IBM PC compatible computer, the special keyboard keys
may be different for your computer.  The table below lists the differences
between the special keyboard keys on the IBM PC, the TANDY 1000 and the
IBM PCjr.

IBM PC          Tandy 1000    IBM PCjr
------------    -----------   ---------
F1                            Fn-1
F2                            Fn-2
F3                            Fn-3
F4                            Fn-4
F5                            Fn-5
Home                          Fn-Home
End                           Fn-End
PgUp                          Fn-PgUp
PgDn                          Fn-PgDn
Ctrl-NumLock    Hold          Fn-Pause
Ctrl-PrtSc      Print         Fn-Echo
Ctrl-Break      Break         Fn-Break
Shift-PrtSc     Shift-Print   Fn-PrtSc
