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As the question tells everything, why does keyboard have 2 Ctrl, Alt, Shift keys.

As their function is same then why these keys are multiple on keyboard? Is there any specific reason or they are just for making typing easy?

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  • Note that there are not 2 Alt keys. It's Alt and Alt Gr, and they fulfill different functions, already by default.
    – Gnoupi
    Aug 27, 2012 at 11:02

2 Answers 2

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It is purely for ease of typing. The ctrl, alt, and shift keys are usually used in conjuction with another key. So by pressing one of the keys with one hand, your other hand is free to press another key.

One interesting thing to note is that each of those keys are unique. I.E. even though the left shift key and the right shift key will do the same thing by default, they have different scancodes. This can allow you to assign something else to those keys using software.

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  • 2
    To be more specific, to support touch typing.
    – Daniel Beck
    Aug 27, 2012 at 7:58
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    Depending on your locale, these might not have identical functions. For example in de_DE the right Alt key (Alt Graph) can be used to type special characters, while the left Alt key functions as a normal alt.
    – Ocean
    Mar 15, 2022 at 14:10
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its for the just making the type easier like in example it you want to use upper case on right side the right shift key make is faster and easier and near left side the left shift key there are many more example and like we never want to use the left alt with enter so the main purpose of this is making just keyboard easier to use

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  • Oh goodness, I hope I never have to use a hardware keyboard like that!
    – user
    Oct 24, 2016 at 14:25

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