A keyboard shortcut is a single key entry that sends a command to a computer program. They can be customized and are often used for frequently used commands. Some require multiple keys and can be customized in specialized programs.
A keyboard shortcut is a type of user interface (UI) command that allows you to execute a single keyboard entry that sends a command to a computer program or application. This is usually done for commands that may be used frequently and may vary between programs, although some shortcuts are often considered standard in similar programs. Shortcuts can also be customizable within a program, allowing the user of that program to set up their own shortcuts for commands they use frequently. A keyboard shortcut is usually quite simple and may require only one keystroke to execute, although in some situations you may need to press two or three keys.
In essence, a keyboard shortcut is any command performed with a keypress on the keyboard, rather than through another user interaction such as a mouse. A keyboard shortcut can be quite simple and involve pressing a single button to enter a command as well as creating a letter or number. Some commands, however, are achieved through the use of keyboard shortcuts that require you to press two or more buttons simultaneously.
In most word processing programs, for example, a user can interact with the user interface to save the file they are currently using. This is often done by using the pointer and selecting “Save” via a direct button or via a menu. A keyboard shortcut can also typically be used in such a program to save the file faster and easier, without using the mouse. In most programs, this is done by pressing the Ctrl key and the “S” key simultaneously, and this keyboard shortcut is usually described as “Ctrl+S”.
Due to the popularity of this keyboard shortcut, many programs include this same shortcut for saving a file or document; such common shortcuts are often called “sacred shortcuts.” Many computer games, on the other hand, use those keys for other purposes, and the save command is often associated with the F12 key or a similar key. Some complex shortcuts may require you to press multiple buttons simultaneously, such as the task manager keyboard shortcut in Windows® operating systems, which typically requires you to press Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys simultaneously, or “Ctrl+Alt+Del. ”
Many specialized programs, such as computer games and illustration software, allow users to create their own keyboard shortcuts. This is typically done via a menu within the program, although sometimes a text file can be edited to create new links as well. Such customization allows gamers or users to access the commands and features they frequently use more quickly.
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