Backspace Key

[1micha.elok]

Hi
I am working with some keydown event codes, but I can't seem to find the key code for the backspace key. 
Could you kindly advise me? Thank you!

Code:

#win32
set window "KEYDOWN",200,100,false,4
set redraw off

while not keydown(KEY_ESCAPE)
    set color 0,0,0
    cls
   
    set color 255,255,255
    set caret 10,10
    if keydown(KEY_INSERT) wln "Insert"
    if keydown(KEY_DELETE) wln "Delete"
    if keydown(KEY_HOME) wln "Home"
    if keydown(KEY_END, true) wln "End"
    if keydown(KEY_PAGE_UP) wln "Page Up"
    if keydown(KEY_PAGE_DOWN) wln "Page Down"
    'if keydown(KEY_BACKSPACE) wln "Backspace"
   
    redraw
    fwait 10
wend

[johnno56]

To tell you the truth, I have never needed to code a program that required backspace...

As a work-a-round... The ASCII value for backspace is 8. I suppose you could probably use:
if inkey() = 8 then wln "Backspace"
The "timing" of the key press and or release may not be the same as keydown but it should work... kind of...

[Marcus]

I've just not defined a named constant for it. You can use 8, as johnno suggested, with the regular keydown function:

Code:

if keydown(8)
  ...
endif

[Marcus]

... But if you're planning on doing text input, the inkey function is the way to go - that's what ned/ngui uses.

[1micha.elok]

Thanks, Johnno and Marcus, for the tips on handling the backspace key in Naalaa—whether it’s using `keydown(8)` or checking if `inkey() = 8`. I’m working on a text-based game, kind of like a fantasy computer or a typing tutor, where I need to catch the backspace key. The game’s not done yet, but I’m hoping to drop an alpha version in the next couple of weeks.

[johnno56]

Well... there two things that you can do that are far better than I can do... 1. Imagine; plan and create a game... and 2. Set yourself a deadline and stick to it... Super impressed!! You must tell me your secret... shhhh... I will hardly tell anyone... Moo Ha Ha Ha....

[1micha.elok]

Well... there two things that you can do that are far better than I can do... 1. Imagine; plan and create a game... and 2. Set yourself a deadline and stick to it... Super impressed!! You must tell me your secret... shhhh... I will hardly tell anyone... Moo Ha Ha Ha....

Honestly, I don’t have any juicy secrets—I just like keeping my brain in good shape. You know that old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well, here’s my secret twist (oops, guess I *do* have a secret!): “Write a game in a month and keep the brain fog away!”

[Marcus]

Is the inkey example useful? I don't remember   Here's an example that makes sense.

Code:

set window "test", 640, 480
set redraw off

' input text with 'inkey'.

' allowed characters.
charFilter = []
for i = 32 to 126  charFilter[i] = true
inputString = ""
blinkTimer = 0
while not keydown(KEY_RETURN)
    blinkTimer = (blinkTimer + 1)%60
    c = inkey()
    while c
        if key(charFilter, c)  inputString = inputString + chr(c)
        elseif c = 8  inputString = left(inputString, len(inputString) - 1)
        c = inkey()
    wend
    set color 0, 0, 0
    cls
    set color 255, 255, 255
    set caret 0, 0
    write "Enter something: " + inputString
    if blinkTimer%60 < 30  write "_"
    redraw
    fwait 60
wend

' or just use 'rln'
wln
write "Enter something else: "
otherInputString = rln()