It's an anachronism left over from the days of terminals connected to larger computers. Why it's still on modern keyboards is a mystery - though I suppose there are few special purpose programs still in existance that use it.
It, and the Break key, can be considered the appendix of the keyboard -there, but long since useless.
In Linux, the kernel can be configured (with CONFIG_MAGIC_SYSRQ=y) to provide emergency functions for system debugging. It is mainly intended for use when the system
is otherwise unresponsive, but at least some of the kernel still works. Alt+SysRq+letter can be used for synching disks, remounting filesystems readonly, dumping CPU state,
rebooting, and other functions
On 84-key keyboards, SysReq was a key of its own. On the later 101-key keyboard, it shares a physical key with the Print Screen key function. One must hold down the Alt
key while pressing this "dual-function" key to invoke SysReq.
SysReq (short for System Request) is a key on keyboards for PCs that has no standard use
anna63
13 Posts
0
April 16th, 2006 22:00
vmansd
502 Posts
0
April 20th, 2006 02:00
It, and the Break key, can be considered the appendix of the keyboard -there, but long since useless.
Val
anna63
13 Posts
0
April 22nd, 2006 16:00
On 84-key keyboards, SysReq was a key of its own. On the later 101-key keyboard, it shares a physical key with the Print Screen key function. One must hold down the Alt
SysReq (short for System Request) is a key on keyboards for PCs that has no standard use