Editing Commodore 64 (section)

==Description==
All keyboard variations are interchangeable with each other and with the keyboard of the C64's predecessor, the [[Commodore VIC-20]].
The keycaps are [[sculptured]] and [[Spherical keycap|spherical]] high-profile.

Typical keyboards used the [[Mitsumi KSR Type]] mechanism with a PCB. Into the PCB is fitted a discrete latching action switch for [[Shift lock]]; this switch is exceptionally smooth for a latching switch. The sliders use a cruciform mount instead of the more common square [[Mitsumi mount]]. The keyboard PCB model across all variants (C64, C64C and C64G) is KSR-A66YF.

Like other 8-bit computers of the time, the keyboard is scanned by the main CPU itself: a derivative of the MOS 6502 running at approx 1 MHz (Slightly different for PAL and NTSC regions). The 8×8 matrix is connected to I/O chips that reuse the same pins for other things, such as [[Atari interface#Commodore joysticks|joystick ports]].
A joystick in port 1 can interfere with the keyboard's operation. If a game scans only for the Space bar, pressing the Fire button on a joystick in port 1 would activate it. Therefore, many games do use the Space bar for an alternate action, and some joysticks connect two ports to have an alternate button press Space.