control
<character> (Or "ctrl", "^") One (or a pair) of modifier keys found on
all modern keyboards. If the control key is held down while pressing and
releasing certain other keys then a "control character" is generated, e.g.
holding control and hitting "A" generates control-A (ASCII code 1). The ASCII
code for the control character is generally 64 less than that for the unmodified
character.
The control key does not generate any character on its own but most modern
keyboards and operating systems allow a program to tell whether each of the
individual keys on the keyboard (including modifier keys) is pressed at any
time.
Control characters mostly have some kind of "non-printing" effect on the output
such as ringing the bell (Control-G) or advancing to the next line (Control-J).
Most have alternative names suggesting these functions (Bell, Line Feed, etc.).
See ASCII character table.
(1997-07-10)
Nearby terms:
continuous wave « contraction « contract programmer «
control » Control and Status Register » control-C »
control code
