Gold key (DEC)
| Industry | Computer hardware and software |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1957 |
| Headquarters | Maynard, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | VT100, VT200, VT52 terminals; VAX computers; PDP-8; PDP-11; WPS-8; EDT editor; ALL-IN-1 office suite |
The Gold key is a specialized computer keyboard key utilized as a prefix to enable various single-key editing and formatting commands. Commonly located at the upper-left corner of the numeric keypad on devices such as the VT100, it serves as a uniform user interface component implemented by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) across several hardware lines.
This key plays a crucial role in software like WPS, EDT, and other applications running on VAX systems. Although typically positioned as the top-left key on numeric keypads, the Gold key's color was not always gold. Some DEC terminals identified it as PF1 (for example, on the VT100 and VT200), whereas others, including the VT52, showed it in blue. On many keyboards, the primary function is printed beneath the key label, with the alternate Gold-activated function displayed above.
Usage
The Gold Key is designed to trigger single-key commands on both the main keyboard and numeric keypad. For example, within the WPS-8 word processor, pressing activates the "center line" feature, which is marked by gold-colored text on the key.
Unlike a traditional modifier key, which is held down simultaneously with another key, the Gold key operates as a prefix: it is pressed and released before pressing the following key. This behavior is similar to how Emacs uses the escape key to initiate command sequences.
Origins
The original VT50 terminal model included only a main keyboard and did not have a Gold key. The VT50H introduced a numeric keypad featuring three unlabeled keys whose functions varied depending on the software in use. Positioned at the top-left of this keypad, these keys became known as "PF" keys, with designated as the Gold key.
The VT50H’s keypad offered limited editing capabilities since most keys produced codes indistinguishable from those of the main keyboard. The introduction of the VT52 terminal brought an alternative keypad mode where every key generated unique character codes.
Robert Everett, a Fellow at the Computer History Museum, attributes the design of Digital’s Gold keyboard interface to John T. (Jack) Gilmore.
Classic software
Functions tied to the Gold key were incorporated into numerous DEC computer generations.
PDP-8 systems operated the WPS-8 word processing software on dedicated one- or two-user "word stations."
PDP-11 machines running RT-11 utilized editors such as KED and KEX.
VAX computers operating under VMS employed the EDT editor, initially accessed via VT52 or VT100 terminals.
On Alpha AXP RISC systems running OpenVMS, EDT was also used frequently in conjunction with more advanced terminals like the VT220 through VT420 series.
In EDT, the Gold key facilitated entry of repeat counts; for instance, inserts twenty equals signs consecutively. These repeat counts apply to commands issued from the keypad; if a command requires pressing the Gold key, it must be input again prior to pressing that command (e.g., pastes four times). Directional commands can accept negative repeat values to move in reverse.
Both VAX and Alpha VMS platforms supported the ALL-IN-1 office suite, which included the WPS-Plus word processor.
Compatibility and continuity
A variety of hardware and software solutions have been created to preserve compatibility with legacy host systems using the Gold key and to meet user preferences.
During the late 1980s, while DEC marketed VAX-based WPS-Plus, Exceptional Business Solutions developed WPS-PC—a PC-based word processor designed for experienced DEC Gold-key users hesitant to migrate platforms.
As PCs increasingly replaced serial terminals for host connectivity, DEC offered its Rainbow PC bundled with a Gold Key Country Kit to integrate with VAX ALL-IN-1 environments.
Emacs features an EDT emulator compatible with both physical and virtual VT100-style terminals. Due to hardware constraints, remapping the Num Lock key to serve as a Gold key requires configuration at the X server level. Support for EDT and Gold key functionality continues actively within Emacs.
Achieving full functional parity across desktop platforms is hindered by differences in keypad layouts: PC numeric keypads contain 17 keys; VT100 and LK201 keyboards have 18; while VT52 numeric pads include 19 keys.