Definition

soft keyboard (onscreen keyboard or software keyboard)

Part of the Software applications glossary:

A soft keyboard (sometimes called an onscreen keyboard or software keyboard ) is a system that replaces the hardware keyboard on a computing device with an on-screen image map . Soft keyboards are typically used to enable input on a handheld device so that a keyboard doesn't have to be carried with it, and to allow people with disabilities or special needs to use computers. The displayed keyboard can usually be moved and resized, and generally can allow any input that the hardware version does. Other features, such as speech synthesis or word completion or prediction, may be included. A soft keyboard is perhaps the most common type of virtual keyboard (a term that encompasses all types of software keyboards).

Next Steps

Although there have been a number of portable keyboard s and keyboard alternatives (such as Graffiti ) developed for handheld devices, they have often been awkward and error-prone. With a soft keyboard, you enter data by tapping keys on the keyboard display, usually with a stylus , so that accuracy depends only on hitting the right key. Some soft keyboards include programs that recognize the likelihood of certain keystrokes in context, so that they can choose the most likely choice when a keystroke is ambiguous.

For people who are unable to use a regular keyboard, soft keyboards allow input through a variety of means, including mouse or trackball control, touch screen , and head-pointing devices.

This was last updated in March 2011
Contributor(s): Amy Wong
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • glocalization

    - Glocalization is the concept that in a global market, a product or service is more likely to succeed when it is customized for the locality or culture in which it is sold.  (SearchCIO.com)

  • virtual patching

    - Virtual patching is the quick development and short-term implementation of a security policy meant to prevent an exploit from occurring as a result of a newly discovered vulnerability. A virtual pa... (WhatIs.com)

  • IT distributor

    - An IT channel distributor is a business that acts as an intermediary between vendors and value-added resellers (VARs) or system integrators (SIs) in the distribution of software or hardware. (SearchITChannel.com)

Glossaries

  • Software applications

    - Terms related to software applications, including definitions about software programs for vertical industries and words and phrases about software development, use and management.

  • Internet applications

    - This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet applications, including definitions about Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models and words and phrases about web sites, e-commerce ...

Ask a Question. Find an Answer.Powered by ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Ask An IT Question

Get answers from your peers on your most technical challenges

Ask Question

Tech TalkComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.