Mechanical Keyboard for Programming - Complete Guide

# Mechanical Switch Types for Programming

class SwitchTypes {
  constructor() {
    this.switches = {
      linear: {
        name: 'Linear Switches',
        characteristics: {
          actuation: 'Smooth, no tactile bump',
          sound: 'Quiet to moderate',
          force: '45-60g actuation force',
          examples: ['Cherry MX Red', 'Gateron Red', 'Kailh Red']
        },
        pros: ['Fast actuation', 'Smooth keystroke', 'Good for gaming'],
        cons: ['No tactile feedback', 'Accidental presses', 'Less precise']
      },
      
      tactile: {
        name: 'Tactile Switches',
        characteristics: {
          actuation: 'Tactile bump at actuation point',
          sound: 'Moderate click',
          force: '45-65g actuation force',
          examples: ['Cherry MX Brown', 'Gateron Brown', 'Kailh Brown']
        },
        pros: ['Tactile feedback', 'Good for typing', 'Precise actuation'],
        cons: ['Slightly slower', 'Moderate noise', 'Not silent']
      },
      
      clicky: {
        name: 'Clicky Switches',
        characteristics: {
          actuation: 'Tactile bump + audible click',
          sound: 'Loud click',
          force: '50-70g actuation force',
          examples: ['Cherry MX Blue', 'Gateron Blue', 'Kailh Blue']
        },
        pros: ['Clear feedback', 'Satisfying sound', 'Precise typing'],
        cons: ['Very loud', 'Distracting to others', 'Not office-friendly']
      }
    };
  }
  
  recommendForProgramming() {
    const recommendations = {
      beginner: {
        switch: 'Cherry MX Brown',
        reason: 'Good balance of tactile feedback and noise level',
        useCase: 'General programming and typing'
      },
      
      experienced: {
        switch: 'Cherry MX Clear',
        reason: 'Heavier tactile feedback for precise typing',
        useCase: 'Long coding sessions, precise work'
      },
      
      office: {
        switch: 'Cherry MX Silent Red',
        reason: 'Quiet operation for shared workspaces',
        useCase: 'Open office environments'
      },
      
      gaming: {
        switch: 'Cherry MX Speed Silver',
        reason: 'Fast actuation for quick responses',
        useCase: 'Gaming and rapid typing'
      }
    };
    
    return recommendations;
  }
  
  analyzeSwitchCharacteristics(switchType) {
    const switch = this.switches[switchType];
    if (!switch) return null;
    
    return {
      actuationForce: this.measureActuationForce(switch),
      travelDistance: this.measureTravelDistance(switch),
      durability: this.estimateDurability(switch),
      noiseLevel: this.measureNoiseLevel(switch),
      programmingSuitability: this.assessProgrammingSuitability(switch)
    };
  }
  
  measureActuationForce(switch) {
    // Typical actuation forces for programming
    const forces = {
      light: '35-45g (Easy on fingers)',
      medium: '45-55g (Balanced)',
      heavy: '55-65g (Precise but tiring)',
      veryHeavy: '65g+ (Very precise, very tiring)'
    };
    
    return forces[switch.characteristics.force];
  }
  
  measureTravelDistance(switch) {
    // Travel distance affects typing speed and comfort
    return {
      total: '4mm (Standard)',
      actuation: '2mm (Typical)',
      bottomOut: '4mm (Full press)'
    };
  }
  
  estimateDurability(switch) {
    // Durability ratings for mechanical switches
    return {
      cherry: '50-100 million keystrokes',
      gateron: '50 million keystrokes',
      kailh: '50 million keystrokes',
      custom: 'Varies by manufacturer'
    };
  }
  
  measureNoiseLevel(switch) {
    // Noise levels for different switch types
    const noiseLevels = {
      linear: 'Low (40-50 dB)',
      tactile: 'Medium (50-60 dB)',
      clicky: 'High (60-70 dB)',
      silent: 'Very Low (30-40 dB)'
    };
    
    return noiseLevels[switch.type] || 'Unknown';
  }
  
  assessProgrammingSuitability(switch) {
    const factors = {
      tactile: switch.characteristics.actuation.includes('tactile') ? 8 : 5,
      noise: switch.characteristics.sound === 'Quiet' ? 9 : 
             switch.characteristics.sound === 'Moderate' ? 7 : 4,
      durability: 9, // All mechanical switches are durable
      comfort: switch.characteristics.force.includes('45-55') ? 8 : 6
    };
    
    const totalScore = Object.values(factors).reduce((sum, score) => sum + score, 0);
    const averageScore = totalScore / Object.keys(factors).length;
    
    return {
      score: averageScore,
      rating: averageScore >= 8 ? 'Excellent' : 
              averageScore >= 6 ? 'Good' : 'Fair',
      factors: factors
    };
  }
}

class KeyboardLayouts {
  constructor() {
    this.layouts = {
      fullSize: {
        name: 'Full Size (104-108 keys)',
        description: 'Complete keyboard with number pad',
        pros: ['All keys available', 'Number pad for data entry', 'Familiar layout'],
        cons: ['Large desk space', 'Mouse far from typing position', 'Heavy'],
        suitability: 'Data entry, accounting, full-featured work'
      },
      
      tenkeyless: {
        name: 'Tenkeyless/TKL (87 keys)',
        description: 'Full keyboard without number pad',
        pros: ['Compact size', 'Mouse closer to typing position', 'Portable'],
        cons: ['No number pad', 'Less keys for macros'],
        suitability: 'General programming, gaming, space-constrained'
      },
      
      compact: {
        name: 'Compact/75% (84 keys)',
        description: 'Condensed layout with function keys',
        pros: ['Very compact', 'Function keys available', 'Portable'],
        cons: ['Learning curve', 'Less spacing', 'Fewer macro keys'],
        suitability: 'Portable programming, minimal setups'
      },
      
      sixtyPercent: {
        name: '60% (61 keys)',
        description: 'Minimal layout without function row',
        pros: ['Very portable', 'Clean aesthetic', 'More desk space'],
        cons: ['No function keys', 'No arrow keys', 'Steep learning curve'],
        suitability: 'Minimal setups, experienced users'
      },
      
      sixtyFivePercent: {
        name: '65% (68 keys)',
        description: '60% layout with arrow keys',
        pros: ['Portable with arrows', 'Good balance', 'Clean look'],
        cons: ['No function row', 'Learning curve', 'Fewer keys'],
        suitability: 'Programming with arrow keys, portable work'
      }
    };
  }
  
  recommendForProgramming() {
    const recommendations = {
      beginner: {
        layout: 'Tenkeyless',
        reason: 'Good balance of functionality and compactness',
        learningCurve: 'Low'
      },
      
      experienced: {
        layout: '65%',
        reason: 'Compact with essential keys for programming',
        learningCurve: 'Medium'
      },
      
      dataEntry: {
        layout: 'Full Size',
        reason: 'Number pad essential for data work',
        learningCurve: 'None'
      },
      
      portable: {
        layout: '60%',
        reason: 'Maximum portability for travel',
        learningCurve: 'High'
      }
    };
    
    return recommendations;
  }
}