Commodore 64 User Manual page 61

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FUNCTION KEYS
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The VIC and 64 have four keys that can be
programmed to do a variety of different tasks.
These keys are known as dual function keys
because each key can be used for two differ
ent functions. For example, you can program
the F1/F2 key so that your screen will clear
when you use the FI function and your text
will be sent to the printer when you use the
F2 function. These are just two examples of
the many functions you could program these
keys to perform. The advantage of these keys
is that you choose the functions you want to
assign to them.
In addition to programming the function keys
yourself, many software programs that you
can use with your computer have already pro
grammed the keys to perform certain tasks
while you're using these programs. For
instance, a word processing software package
might have programmed the F3/F4 key so that
each time you use the F3 function, a line of
text is deleted.
In order to program the func n keys yourself,
you must be familiar with many BASIC com
mands. Once you know the more advanced
BASIC commands, you will find these keys
very useful. Because these are advanced com
mands, however, and because you can pro
gram the function keys to perform so many
different tasks, the procedures for pro
gramming the function keys are not covered in
this guide.
Another key that is sometimes programmed to
perform special functions in software programs
is the-«— key, located in the upper left corner
of the keyboard. The only other use of the ■*•—
key is to display a graphic of a left arrow
(in all modes).
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FUNCTION keys
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