Esc

ESC is an acronym that can refer to several unrelated concepts. This article briefly describes four common uses: the Escape key on keyboards, the European Society of Cardiology, the Electronic Speed Controller for electric motors, and the escape character in computing.

Escape key: The Esc key is a key on most computer keyboards labeled Esc. It is generally used to cancel or back out of an operation, close modal dialogs, or exit full-screen modes. In software and games, pressing Esc often pauses the program or opens a menu. The exact behavior depends on the operating system and application.

European Society of Cardiology: The ESC is a professional medical organization for cardiology in Europe. Founded in 1950, it promotes research, education, and patient care, and organizes the annual ESC Congress. It publishes journals such as the European Heart Journal and issues clinical guidelines for cardiovascular care through its working groups and fellowships.

Electronic Speed Controller: An ESC is an electronic device that controls the speed and braking of an electric motor, most commonly brushless DC (BLDC) motors in RC aircraft, cars, boats, and drones. It interprets throttle signals from a receiver or flight controller as PWM to adjust motor voltage and speed. Many ESCs include a built-in battery eliminator circuit (BEC) to power the receiver and servos.

Escape character: In computing, the Escape (Esc) character, ASCII code 27, introduces escape sequences used to control formatting and cursor movement in text terminals. ESC and its associated sequences enable color changes, cursor positioning, and other terminal effects in environments such as ANSI escape codes or VT100-compatible terminals.