function key
<hardware> (From the IBM 3270 terminal's Programmed Function Keys (PF
keys)) One of a set of special keys on a computer or terminal keyboard which can
be programmed so as to cause an application program to perform certain actions.
Function keys on a terminal may either generate short fixed sequences of
characters, often beginning with the escape character (ASCII 27), or the
characters they generate may be configured by sending special character
sequences to the terminal.
On a microcomputer keyboard, the function keys may generate a fixed, single byte
code, outside the normal ASCII range, which is translated into some other
configurable sequence by the keyboard device driver or interpreted directly by
the application program.
(1995-02-07)
Nearby terms:
function application « function complete « Function
Graph Language « function key » Function
Point Analysis » functor » funky
|
