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)