What is qw?

qw (QWERTY)

The term "qw" generally refers to the layout of the standard QWERTY keyboard. The QWERTY layout is the most common modern-day English-language keyboard layout. It gets its name from the first six letters on the upper left letter row of the keyboard.

The QWERTY layout was designed in the late 19th century by Christopher Latham Sholes, an American inventor. One popular explanation for its design is that it was intended to prevent typewriters from jamming. By placing commonly used letter pairs far apart, it slowed down typing speed, thus reducing the likelihood of mechanical keys sticking together. However, research has cast doubt on this as the primary reason. Alternative theories suggest the layout was optimized for telegraph operators or designed to minimize mechanical complexity.

While the QWERTY layout remains dominant, alternative keyboard layouts like Dvorak and Colemak have been developed with the goal of improving typing speed and ergonomics. These alternatives aim to place more frequently used letters on the home row, reducing finger travel and strain. Despite potential benefits, QWERTY's widespread adoption makes it difficult to displace. Its entrenchment is a classic example of path dependence, where an initial choice, even if suboptimal, becomes difficult to change due to network effects and existing infrastructure.