The keyboard mapping table maps a key position to an ASCII character, extended character, function, or string of characters. Each key on the keyboard has a numeric position code that is combined with the keyboard state when the key position is reported.
Available keyboard states are:
The operating system supports three types of keyboards:
Depending on the keyboard, some of these keys are governed by the Caps Lock key or the Shift Lock key.
On keyboards that support the Caps Lock key, Caps Lock affects only those keys whose Shift state yields the uppercase character (A, B, C) of the Base state lowercase character (a, b, c) of the key. On keyboards that support the Shift Lock key, Shift Lock has the same effect as pressing a key while the Shift key is pressed.
Each of the hardware keyboards can produce some, but not all, of these states.
A software keyboard is selected at installation. A customized keyboard can be used as the system default after keyboard reconfiguration. The workstation must be restarted before the customized keyboard can be used.
The following keys are not redefinable by the keyboard device driver:
Note: The Caps Lock key can be redefined for the 106-key keyboard using the chhwkbd command.
| Keys with Predefined Functions | ||
| Key Position | Function | States That Cannot Be Remapped |
| 30 | Caps Lock key or Shift Lock key | All states |
| 44 | Left Shift key | All states |
| 57 | Right Shift key | All states |
| 58 | Control key | All states |
| 60 | Left Alt key | All states |
| 62 | Right Alt key | All states |
| 64 | Action key | Shift, Control, Alternate, and Alternate Graphics |
| 90 | Num Lock key | Base and Shift states |
| 133 | Hiragana | All states |