TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

ALTERNATE KEY [2 records]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2010-05-17

English

Subject field(s)
  • Computer Peripheral Equipment
  • Office Automation
DEF

A key on a computer keyboard that does not itself generate a character but changes the nature of the character generated by another key when depressed simultaneously with it; similar to the control and shift keys.

OBS

The [Alternate key] is like a second Control key. Not all computer keyboards have an [Alternate key], but it is standard on all [personal computers]. You use it in the same fashion as the Control key -- holding it down while you press another key. For example, an instruction to use the Alt+P combination means that you should hold the [Alternate key] down while pressing and then releasing the P key. The meaning of any [Alternate key] combination depends on which application is running.

OBS

The Alternate key on English keyboards is usually labelled with the letters "Alt" in uppercase or lowercase characters.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Périphériques (Informatique)
  • Bureautique
OBS

[Touche qui] lorsqu'elle est utilisée en combinaison avec une autre touche, donne à cette dernière une signification autre que la sienne propre. Dans de nombreux programmes d'application, l'appui de Alt et d'une autre touche est un moyen de demander certains services; par exemple, la combinaison Alt-H.

OBS

Même si l'expression française «Alt» est une version abrégée de l'expression anglaise «alternate», le terme français «touche Alt» demeure le plus privilégié.

OBS

La touche Alt sur les claviers français se repère généralement par les lettres «Alt».

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Equipo periférico (Computadoras)
  • Ofimática
Save record 1

Record 2 1998-08-15

English

Subject field(s)
  • Software
DEF

A key other than the prime key of a sequenced file in a virtual storage system that is used to build an alternate index for the file.

OBS

Contrast to primary record key.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Logiciels

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Soporte lógico (Software)
Save record 2

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