What Is This Weird Cyclic Symbol On Apple Keyboards?

The command is undoubtedly on all computers. most functional and most important It is one of the keys and is essential for almost every major keyboard shortcut.

Well, Apple, which makes a unique difference with every product it offers, has a command button on its keyboards. Why is it called Command and what is this symbol on it?

Apple keyboards used to have control keys that allowed users to interact with large and host computers.

Just like now, long ago, holding down another key while pressing a key was simply that he can activate some kind of special function that cannot be achieved by pressing a single key. had an idea. In this way, users would be able to control the computer via the keyboard instead of using only printable characters.

However, the functions in the control keys of those times were only could display a limited number of text characters and did not include graphics. Of course, mouse support was also indispensable.

For this reason, Apple sought a solution so that its users could issue commands more quickly.

Apple thus went the way of putting a few special keys on their keyboards since the early 1980s. Most Apple keyboards of that time, open Apple and closed Apple There were two different keys called

For example, commanding Apple + A will move the cursor to the beginning of the line. Unlike Control + A it was selecting everything in a window. In fact, the goal was to allow users to access menu items faster without having to open a menu.

So why did Apple change it to Command?

According to some claims, Steve Jobs was quite bored of seeing the Apple logo while developing his products, and it was not minimalist at all. This logo was found on the operating system menus as well as on the two Apple keys on the keyboard, and Jobs said this was the case. that the company has cheapened its logo – so to speak – was thinking.

Thus, Apple, instead of open Apple, called Command this cyclic and square looking symbol revealed. Today this square command key acts as the master modifier key and functions similarly to the Windows control key.

Also, Macs are often used not only to enable more keyboard shortcuts, but also by users who make various programs. to preserve some of the original terminal functionality. It kept protecting the Control key.

Closed Apple, on the other hand, is more It worked like the alt key and it wasn’t as functional as Command. Then on Macs, it turned into a key called Option.

Ok so far, but how did the square and circular shape on the Command key come about?

Actually, this story is quite interesting and accidental. After Steve Jobs decided he wanted a new symbol for open Apple, designer Susan Kare, who works for Apple, came across the loop square in a reference book. This symbol has also been around for a very long time, On road signs to indicate cultural and tourist attractions in the Nordic countries was used.

Presented to the Mac development team at Susan’s suggestion, this symbol idea was accepted by them as interesting, and this square circular shape has been around ever since. Command icon for Apple keyboards continues to be used.