loadkeys

Loadkeys is a command line tool used in Linux-based systems to load and manipulate keyboard layout files. It is primarily used to configure the keyboard layout and key mappings to suit the user's specific needs. It acts as an interface between the physical keyboard and the operating system, allowing users to define custom keymaps.

Loadkeys reads the specified keymap file from the system's keymap directory, typically located in the /usr/share/kbd/keymaps directory. This file contains information about the keyboard layout, including the assigned functions and special characters for each key.

The tool is executed by typing "loadkeys" followed by the keymap file name as an argument. This loads the specified keymap into the kernel and applies the changes immediately. The changes made using loadkeys are not permanent and will be lost after reboot unless the modified keymap file is stored in the appropriate directory.

Loadkeys has various options allowing users to perform additional actions, such as listing available keymaps and testing a keymap without applying it. It provides flexibility in customizing the keyboard layout to accommodate different languages, symbols, or user preferences.

The tool is commonly used in Linux distributions that do not rely on graphical desktop environments, as it provides a simple and efficient way to manage keyboard layouts from the command line interface.