[RESOLVED] Using Keypresses instead of Button clicks?

[gt123]

Hi there,

I'm currently creating a music video quiz program, where the user selects from one of four possible answers by clicking upon the corresponding button image or answer label. What I would like to do is have it so that the user can choose to press the keyboard buttons 1, 2, 3 or 4 (along the top of the keyboard preferably) so select an answer, as an alternative to clicking. Can this be done, if so, how do I do this?

When the button corresponding to the answer is clicked, the following code is initiated at present:

Private Sub imgButton_Click(Index As Integer)
    'Disables the other buttons and answer labels
        For x = 0 To 3
            imgButton(x).Enabled = False
            lblAnswer(x).Enabled = False
        Next x
            
        If loadCorrectNo = (Index + 1) Then
            lblAnswer(Index).BackColor = RGB(85, 245, 85)
    'Gives the answer a green background and adds to the score before loading a new question
            YourScore = YourScore + (10 * QuestionTime)
        Else
    'Gives the answer a red background before loading a new question
            lblAnswer(Index).BackColor = RGB(245, 45, 45)
        End If
        
    'Disables the question time counter as the question has been answered
        tmrQuestionTime.Enabled = False
        tmrNewQuestion.Enabled = True
End Sub

Thanks for any help you can provide,

GT

[Shuja Ali]

You can use the Keypress event of the Form. Set the KeyPreview property of the Form to true and use this code

Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    Select Case KeyAscii
        Case Asc("1"), Asc("2"), Asc("3"), Asc("4")
            imgButton_Click (KeyAscii - 49)
    End Select
End Sub

I am assuming that the array starts from 0.

[mikee_phil]

set the key preview of the form to true then
on the keypress event of the form

Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
Select Case KeyAscii
    Case 49
        imgButton_Click 0
    Case 50
         imgButton_Click 1
    Case 51
         imgButton_Click 2
    Case 52
         imgButton_Click 3
End Select
End Sub

[gt123]

You can use the Keypress event of the Form. Set the KeyPreview property of the Form to true and use this code

Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    Select Case KeyAscii
        Case Asc("1"), Asc("2"), Asc("3"), Asc("4")
            imgButton_Click (KeyAscii - 49)
    End Select
End Sub

I am assuming that the array starts from 0.

Thanks for that, it worked perfectly.

[gt123]

Actually, I just noticed that, if all four keys (1, 2, 3 and 4) are pressed at once, then the user can cheat. How do I make it so that it will accept only the first key pressed and then be reset when the next question is loaded in?

[Shuja Ali]

KeyPress will handle only one key at a time. So even if user presses all the 4 keys simultaneously only one key will be processed.

However, you will need to modify your code for checking the answer.

[gt123]

KeyPress will handle only one key at a time. So even if user presses all the 4 keys simultaneously only one key will be processed.

However, you will need to modify your code for checking the answer.

The program has a label for each answer that lights up green or red based on whether or not it is correct. If I press 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the same time, all 4 labels light up instead of just the one corresponding to the first pressed key. So, I need to know how to block subsequent key presses until a new question loads.

[gavio]

Maybe it'll help if you separate theme in multiple cases:

Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    Select Case KeyAscii
        Case Asc("1"):
            imgButton_Click (KeyAscii - 49)
                Exit Sub
        Case Asc("2"):
            imgButton_Click (KeyAscii - 49)
                Exit Sub
        '...
        '...
    End Select
End Sub

[gt123]

Maybe it'll help if you separate theme in multiple cases:

Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    Select Case KeyAscii
        Case Asc("1"):
            imgButton_Click (KeyAscii - 49)
                Exit Sub
        Case Asc("2"):
            imgButton_Click (KeyAscii - 49)
                Exit Sub
        '...
        '...
    End Select
End Sub

Thanks for the suggestion, I just gave this a try but the program behaved in exactly the same way, allowing all four answers to be selected at once.

[mikee_phil]

create a flag

[shragel]

Dont try it in the IDE, compile it and try it.

[gt123]

Dont try it in the IDE, compile it and try it.

Just did that and it performs in exactly the same way.

As for creating a flag, how do I do that?

[Supremus]

I do something similar, but I use it for my menu system. You might be able to adapt it for your own use.

Private Sub Label2_Click(Index As Integer)
' this is for mouse entry
 
  Select Case Index
  Case 1:  ' 1
    frmJobEnter.Show
  Case 2:  ' 2
    If Desk > 1 Then frmJobFind.Show
  Case 3:  ' 3
    If Desk > 1 Then frmBobsForm.Show
  Case 4:  ' 4
    If Desk > 1 Then frmA7200.Show
  Case 5:  ' 5
    If UserName = "xx" Or UserName = "xxx" Or UserName = "xx" Then frmApral.Show
  Case 6:  ' 6
    frmDriverEdit.Show
  Case 7:  ' 7
    frmVerifyDockets.Show
  Case 8:  ' 8
    If Desk > 1 Then frmMenuMaint.Show
  Case 9:  ' 9
 
    Close
    Dim frmForms As Form
    For Each frmForms In Forms
      If frmForms.hWnd <> Me.hWnd Then
        Unload frmForms
      End If
    Next frmForms
    Unload Me
    End
 
  End Select
End Sub

Select Case KeyCode
' this is for keyboard entry
  Case 49, 97:  ' 1
    frmJobEnter.Show
 
  Case 50, 98:  ' 2
    frmJobFind.Show
  Case 51, 99:  ' 3
    If Desk > 1 Then frmBobsForm.Show
 
  Case 52, 100:  ' 4
    If Desk > 1 Then frmA7200.Show
  Case 53, 101:  ' 5
    If UserName = "xx" Or UserName = "xxx" Or UserName = "xx" Then frmApral.Show
 
  Case 54, 102:  ' 6
    frmDriverEdit.Show
 
  Case 55, 103:  ' 7
    frmVerifyDockets.Show
  Case 56, 104:  ' 8
    If Desk > 1 Then frmMenuMaint.Show
  Case 57, 105:  ' 9
    UnloadForm
    Unload Me
  End Select
End Sub

[gt123]

I do something similar, but I use it for my menu system. You might be able to adapt it for your own use.

Select Case KeyCode
' this is for keyboard entry
  Case 49, 97:  ' 1
    frmJobEnter.Show
 
  Case 50, 98:  ' 2
    frmJobFind.Show
  Case 51, 99:  ' 3
    If Desk > 1 Then frmBobsForm.Show
 
  Case 52, 100:  ' 4
    If Desk > 1 Then frmA7200.Show
  Case 53, 101:  ' 5
    If UserName = "xx" Or UserName = "xxx" Or UserName = "xx" Then frmApral.Show
 
  Case 54, 102:  ' 6
    frmDriverEdit.Show
 
  Case 55, 103:  ' 7
    frmVerifyDockets.Show
  Case 56, 104:  ' 8
    If Desk > 1 Then frmMenuMaint.Show
  Case 57, 105:  ' 9
    UnloadForm
    Unload Me
  End Select
End Sub

I don't quite understand, where do I place this code? I'm not exactly sure how to adapt this to fit my needs either.

[dminder]

Declare a Global Variable

Dim bFlag as Boolean

Set it in your form load:

bFlag = True

In you Procedure:

'Test your flag first
if not bFlag then
   Exit Sub
end if
 
'Set your flag so that further key presses won't get through
bFlag = False
'run your case statement
Select Case KeyAscii
    Case 49
        imgButton_Click 0
    Case 50
         imgButton_Click 1
    Case 51
         imgButton_Click 2
    Case 52
         imgButton_Click 3
End Select
 
'reset your flag
bFlag=True

I hope this helps, doing this off the cuff with a monster headache....

[gt123]

Declare a Global Variable

Dim bFlag as Boolean

Set it in your form load:

bFlag = True

In you Procedure:

'Test your flag first
if not bFlag then
   Exit Sub
end if
 
'Set your flag so that further key presses won't get through
bFlag = False
'run your case statement
Select Case KeyAscii
    Case 49
        imgButton_Click 0
    Case 50
         imgButton_Click 1
    Case 51
         imgButton_Click 2
    Case 52
         imgButton_Click 3
End Select
 
'reset your flag
bFlag=True

I hope this helps, doing this off the cuff with a monster headache....

I'll give that a go in the morning, thanks alot.

[gt123]

I'll give that a go in the morning, thanks alot.

I finally got around to trying this, and it had no effect. The program still behaves in exactly the same way. All 4 possible answers can be selected at once by pressing keys 1 to 4 simulataneously.

[bushmobile]

try something like this:

Private bIgnore As Boolean
 
Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    Select Case KeyAscii
        Case 49 To 53
            If Not bIgnore Then
                cmdArray(KeyAscii - 49).Value = True
                bIgnore = True
            End If
    End Select
End Sub
 
' Then once you've loaded the new question allow presses again:
Private Sub LoadQuestion()
    ' Load Question
    bIgnore = False
End Sub

[Shuja Ali]

Don't do the checking of answers in the Click event of imgButton. Just do the selection and have another button and in that buttons click event do the validation of answers.

[gt123]

try something like this:

Private bIgnore As Boolean
 
Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    Select Case KeyAscii
        Case 49 To 53
            If Not bIgnore Then
                cmdArray(KeyAscii - 49).Value = True
                bIgnore = True
            End If
    End Select
End Sub
 
' Then once you've loaded the new question allow presses again:
Private Sub LoadQuestion()
    ' Load Question
    bIgnore = False
End Sub

Where in all that to I play the code for the button click, so that the answer is checked etc?

Don't do the checking of answers in the Click event of imgButton. Just do the selection and have another button and in that buttons click event do the validation of answers.

I'm a novice with VB6, so I have no idea how i'd go about this.

[bushmobile]

cmdArray(KeyAscii - 49).Value = True

that is the button click.

but if you're not using a button then just replace it with what you were using before imgButton_Click (KeyAscii - 49)

[gt123]

That solved the problem, thanks alot for your help everyone.

[Supremus]

Why not use radio buttons?

Put them in a frame and this way you can only select one answer.

You can use the number keys to select one button.

[gt123]

Why not use radio buttons?

Put them in a frame and this way you can only select one answer.

Radio buttons would be a bit too small on the form for what I need. The problem is solved now anyway, so i'm happy with it.