# Num Lock

> key on computer keyboards which enables or disables a numerical pad on the keyboard

**Wikidata**: [Q665331](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q665331)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Num_Lock)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/num-lock

## Summary
Num Lock is a computer key that enables or disables the numerical pad on the keyboard. It functions as a lock key, which means it toggles a specific application state to change how the numeric keypad inputs data.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Function**: Enables or disables the numerical pad on a computer keyboard.
- **Classification**: An instance of both a computer key and a lock key.
- **Physical Location**: Part of the numeric keypad section of a computer keyboard.
- **Aliases**: Also known as NumLk, Numeric lock, Num lock, and Numlock.
- **Database Identifiers**: Has a Freebase ID of /m/02pj6d and a Namuwiki ID of Num Lock.
- **Online Presence**: The Wikipedia entry for Num Lock has a sitelink count of 24.
- **Media Assets**: Associated with the Wikimedia Commons category "Num Lock key" and has specific icon and image files hosted on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Multilingual Documentation**: The concept is documented in 24 languages on Wikipedia, including Arabic (ar), Azerbaijani (az), Catalan (ca), Czech (cs), German (de), English (en), Persian (fa), French (fr), Hebrew (he), Italian (it), Japanese (ja), Kazakh (kk), Korean (ko), Burmese (my), Dutch (nl), Polish (pl), Portuguese (pt), Russian (ru), Swedish (sv), Turkish (tr), Tatar (tt), Vietnamese (vi), and Chinese (zh).

## FAQs
**What is the purpose of the Num Lock key?**
The Num Lock key is used to enable or disable the numerical pad on a computer keyboard, allowing users to switch between number entry and other functions.

**What class of key does Num Lock belong to?**
It is classified as a computer key and specifically as a lock key, which is a type of key that toggles an application state.

**Where is Num Lock located on the keyboard?**
Num Lock is part of the numeric keypad, which is a specific section of a computer keyboard.

**What are the different names used for Num Lock?**
The key is referred to by several aliases, including NumLk, Numeric lock, Num lock, and Numlock.

## Why It Matters
Num Lock is significant because it provides the essential toggle functionality that defines the utility of the numeric keypad. Without this lock key, the dedicated section of the keyboard could not switch between numerical input and alternative functions (such as navigation or editing), thereby limiting the user's ability to perform data entry efficiently. As a standard lock key, it plays a critical role in the interface design of computer peripherals, ensuring that a single set of physical keys can serve multiple purposes depending on the toggled state.

## Notable For
- Being documented across 24 distinct language editions of Wikipedia.
- Possessing a specific Freebase ID (/m/02pj6d) referencing a publication date of October 28, 2013.
- Having a dedicated Wikimedia Commons category ("Num Lock key") for visual media.
- Being recognized by multiple aliases, including NumLk and Numeric lock, across different platforms and regions.

## Body

### Classification and Functionality
Num Lock is defined fundamentally as a computer key, falling under the specific subclass of lock keys. A lock key is distinguished by its ability to toggle an application state, rather than just sending a single character or command when pressed. In the case of Num Lock, this toggle action enables or disables the numerical pad on the keyboard. This function allows the numeric keypad to switch modes, typically between inputting numbers and serving as directional or editing keys.

### Structural Relationships
The physical and structural context of Num Lock places it within the numeric keypad, which is a section of a computer keyboard. According to the provided structural properties, Num Lock is a part of the numeric keypad. Additionally, the source data outlines a reciprocal relationship where the numeric keypad is also listed as a subsidiary or contained entity relative to the key's definition in this context.

### Documentation and Digital Presence
The entity Num Lock has a substantial digital footprint across various knowledge bases and Wikimedia projects.
*   **Wikipedia**: The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Num Lock," and the article is supported by a sitelink count of 24, indicating its presence in two dozen different language versions.
*   **Languages**: The key is documented in a wide array of languages, including but not limited to English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and Turkish, as well as smaller languages like Tatar (tt), Kazakh (kk), and Burmese (my).
*   **Identifiers**: Beyond Wikipedia, the entity is indexed in other databases with a Freebase ID of /m/02pj6d and a Namuwiki ID of Num Lock.
*   **Media**: Visual representations of the key are categorized under "Num Lock key" on Wikimedia Commons, with specific files available for its icon and general image.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013