[RESOLVED] Keystrokes Catcher?

[aronquiray]

Hello guys,
I just wanted to know how do I implement stuffs like this.

I am making a software where it will catch a keystrokes, take note. Not a Keylogger


it will be running on the Background, like it will be minimized to System Tray

then for example a combination keys like Ctrl Shift F or Ctrl Shift (a certain key)
then the software will react to the keystrokes..



Anyone can help? Thanks

[jmcilhinney]

That is called a "hotkey" and you use the RegisterHotKey API to implement it. There are examples all around the web, including in our own VB.NET CodeBank forum.

[aronquiray]

Thanks jm, i'll try to search that, i don't have really an idea it was a hotkey lmao

[jmcilhinney]

Thanks jm, i'll try to search that, i don't have really an idea it was a hotkey lmao

Not really any reason you should have. Once you have a keyword provided though, you can find lots of information for yourself. You obviously intend to do that, which is good. Far too many people seem unwilling to even try on their own behalf and just want others to provide it all on a silver platter. If you have issues with what you find, by all means post back but it's good that you intend to put in the effort first.

[aronquiray]

I got it thanks JM for the keyword

Private Declare Function GetAsyncKeyState Lib "user32" (ByVal vkey As Long) As Integer
 
Private Sub Timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
        Dim ctrlkey As Boolean
        Dim shiftkey As Boolean
        Dim k As Boolean
        ctrlkey = GetAsyncKeyState(Keys.ControlKey)
        shiftkey = GetAsyncKeyState(Keys.ShiftKey)
        k = GetAsyncKeyState(Keys.K)
 
        If ctrlkey And shiftkey And k = True Then
            MsgBox("Another Code to Trigger here")
        End If
 
 
    End Sub
 
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Me.Visible = False
        NotifyIcon1.Visible = True
        NotifyIcon1.ShowBalloonTip(3000)
 
    End Sub
 
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Timer1.Enabled = True
        Timer1.Interval = 100
    End Sub

hehe, it was on the System Tray and it worked.

[jmcilhinney]

That is absolutely not the way to do it. How is it that I say that you should use the RegisterHotkey API, you say thanks and end up not using it? DO NOT use GetAsyncKeyState for this. Use RegisterHotKey

[aronquiray]

oh sorry, but this solved my problem though the keyword "hotkey"

[jmcilhinney]

You may think that it solved your problem but it didn't. That code is inefficient at best and has a big hole in it at worst. I specifically said:

use the RegisterHotKey API

What you do is up to you but that is the proper way to do what you want to do, which is why I suggested it. It overcomes both issues with the code you are now using.

[aronquiray]

okies Jm
search mode

[ident]

Please do not use GetAsyncKeyState. I am quite confused how you searched for Register Hotkey API and got GetAsyncKeyState. You are forcing your application to check ever N seconds for a key stroke. Even more so on the UI thread. Your application will be amazing slow.

Register HotKey API Source

Also if you really are interested in learning take the time to read:

RegisterHotKey Function

WM_HOTKEY message