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A macro key is a key that was featured on various early PC keyboards and has been removed from most keyboards since. It is typically found on the lower rows of the keyboard, either to the left of the key or to the right of the right . While most keyboard layouts treat it as a
A macro key is a key that was featured on various early PC keyboards and has been removed from most keyboards since. It is typically found on the lower rows of the keyboard, either to the left of the key or to the right of the right . While most keyboard layouts treat it as a backslash
The backslash is a typographical mark used mainly in computing and mathematics. It is the mirror image of the common slash . It is a relatively recent mark, first documented in the 1930s.
History
, efforts to identify either the origin of ...
, it has a different scan code
A scancode (or scan code) is the data that most computer keyboards send to a computer to report which keys have been pressed. A number, or sequence of numbers, is assigned to each key on the keyboard.
Variants
Mapping key positions by row an ...
, so keyboard layout
A keyboard layout is any specific physical, visual or functional arrangement of the keys, legends, or key-meaning associations (respectively) of a computer keyboard, mobile phone, or other computer-controlled typographic keyboard.
is the actua ...
s or programs use the scan code directly, or they can choose to handle it differently.
On many 2010 and newer top-of-the-line, computer mice
A computer mouse (plural mice, sometimes mouses) is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional space, two-dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is typically translated into the motion of a pointer (user interface ...
, there are built-in macro keys. These mice often come with software
Software is a set of computer programs and associated software documentation, documentation and data (computing), data. This is in contrast to Computer hardware, hardware, from which the system is built and which actually performs the work.
...
specifically designed for function and compatibility.
These keys are sometimes used by gamers as rapid-fire buttons, for an edge over the opponent.
Simply put, the macro key is a shortcut of key sequences. A key sequence is a series of keyboard keystrokes, mouse actions, or menu actions that are bound to a command. The macro key can also be used to conveniently launch a program.
Many people find these to be very useful, as they can perform a complex action with one button, and can be changed to fit the needs of anyone.
References
Computer keys {{compu-stub