Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

We had distinct keys for Enter and Return for the longest time. An ISO standard keyboard has Return in the main block and Enter in the numpad.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enter_key#/media/File%3AEnte...




Enter and Numpad Enter are still distinct in QMK, and possibly some video game keybinds (just as numrow and numpad numbers can be recognized separately). Comparable to the left/right versions of ctrl, alt, super, and shift, I suppose. Fuctionally equivalent usually but can be differentiated, like a hypervisor using right alt to unfocus input.

I wonder if the labels on your linked keyboard really mean much. It could be like how Apple calls their backspace key delete, and has their own names for some of the modifiers.


Back in the last century, Mathematica was like this as well. On Macs, "return" wouldn't run the command you entered, you had to hit "enter" from the numpad. Shift-return may have worked as well, but it's been so long I couldn't say for sure.

Edited: Mixed up Matlab and Mathematica


As a lifelong Mac user, that's my mental model of that key. It's still the layout Apple uses in the US:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MXK83LL/A/magic-keyboard-...




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: