What is the best way to look for a keystroke?

[lugosi]

Within the program that I am writing, I want to check to see if certain keys are pressed, very much like a hotkey. Is it best to use the HotKeySet command, or should I use some different method for waiting for the keypress? The thing that I dont like about HotKeySet (it isn't an intense dislike, just a nagging niggle) is that it 'hijacks' that key for the entire run of the program (just like a good hotkey should!) even if my program is not the program in focus at the time.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[JLogan3o13]

Take a look at _IsPressed in the help file

[MikahS]

I don't like _IsPressed. I just used this in my app, and I did not like it as it will not work once a key has already been pressed. Very crude, but using Accelerators is they way to go:

Local $aAccelKeys[1][1] = [["{TAB}", $exTab]]
GUISetAccelerators($aAccelKeys, $hwnd)
; example
While 1
    $msg = GUIGetMsg()
    Switch $msg
        Case $exTab
            ; run whatever you want here
    EndSwitch
WEnd

Edited September 25, 2014 by MikahS

[Melba23]

Lugosi,

Or GUISetAccelerators - they are like HotKeys but are only active when you GUI has focus so they should not "niggle".

Could I also point you at this announcement - not suggesting your intent is to create a keylogger, but just to make our stance on such matters quite clear.

M23

Edit: I see I am getting slower as I age.

Edited September 25, 2014 by Melba23

[MikahS]

Melba, your knowledge is much greater though

[lugosi]

I can assure you that this is not for a keylogger of any kind. I am creating a program to update/change the OEM configuration information on a PC for my company. We want to be able to brand our computers with our logo and information. I have created quite a nice program if I might say so This is my first real foray  into AutoIT programming (and the first programming that I have done in MANY years, not that I was ever a great programmer to begin with.....it is a hobby to me).

Thank you for all of the advice.....esp. that about the keylogger stuff! I gotta be careful how I phrase things so as not to be banished

[lugosi]

BTW....I really like that last post, Melba.....that looks like a very elegant way to handle this.

[lugosi]

I just replaced hotkeys with accelerators, and it worked like a charm

[MikahS]

I just replaced hotkeys with accelerators, and it worked like a charm

 

Glad to help