Keyboard Technical Reference

Understanding Key Sequences

Most keying is done with either one-key or two-key sequences. For example, the a character is most often produced by one key (the A key) and the A character by two keys (Shift-A key sequence). If more than one state key is pressed when a character is keyed, (for example, Ctrl-Shift-A) only one state key affects the conversion of the character. With the Ctrl-Shift-A key sequence, the control state takes precedence over the shift state.

Some three-key sequences have special meanings for this operating system. The following keystroke combinations start the indicated system function. The notation Padn, where n is a digit, indicates the n key on the numeric keypad to the right of the main keyboard area.

Note

Functions started with the Alt-key (or Shift-key) sequence can be selected with either the left or right Alt key (or Shift key).

There are two types of key sequences that have special meaning for this operating system:

Kernel debugger key sequences
System dump key sequences
Note

See "System Dump Facility" in AIX 5L Version 5.2 Kernel Extensions and Device Support Programming Concepts before attempting to use any of the key sequences that perform system dumps.

The following key sequences issue special instructions to the operating system:

Ctrl-Alt-Pad4	Invokes the kernel debugger.
Ctrl-Alt-Pad1	Performs a system dump to the primary device. This key sequence works only from the native keyboard.
Ctrl-Alt-Pad2	Performs a system dump to the secondary device. This key sequence works only from the native keyboard. Supports dumping to a logical volume or tape. Requires user intervention in releases prior to AIX 4.2.1.