getch and arrow codes

Question

I'm writing a programm that's using getch() to scan for arrow keys. My code so far is:

switch(getch()) {
    case 65:    // key up
        break;
    case 66:    // key down
        break;
    case 67:    // key right
        break;
    case 68:    // key left
        break;
}

Problem is that when I press 'A', 'B', 'C' or 'D' the code will also executed, because 65 is the decimal code for 'A', etc...

Is there a way to check for an arrow key without call others?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Actually, to read arrow keys one need to read its scan code. Following are the scan code generated by arrow keys press (not key release)

When num Lock is off

• Left E0 4B
• Right E0 4D
• Up E0 48
• Down E0 50

When Num Lock is on these keys get preceded with E0 2A

• Byte E0 is -32
• Byte 48 is 72 UP

• Byte 50 is 80 DOWN

  user_var=getch();
  if(user_var == -32)
  {
      user_var=getch();
      switch(user_var)
      {
      case 72:
          cur_sel--;
          if (cur_sel==0)
              cur_sel=4;
          break;
      case 80:
          cur_sel++;
          if(cur_sel==5)
              cur_sel=1;
          break;
  
      }
  }
  

In the above code I have assumed programmer wants to move 4 lines only.

Answer 2

I'm Just a starter, but i'v created a char(for example "b"), and I do b = _getch(); (its a conio.h library's command) And check

If (b == -32)
b = _getch();

And do check for the keys (72 up, 80 down, 77 right, 75 left)

Answer 3

So, after alot of struggle, I miraculously solved this everannoying issue ! I was trying to mimic a linux terminal and got stuck at the part where it keeps a command history which can be accessed by pressing up or down arrow keys. I found ncurses lib to be painfuly hard to comprehend and slow to learn.

char ch = 0, k = 0;
while(1)
{
  ch = getch();
  if(ch == 27)                  // if ch is the escape sequence with num code 27, k turns 1 to signal the next
    k = 1;
  if(ch == 91 && k == 1)       // if the previous char was 27, and the current 91, k turns 2 for further use
    k = 2;
  if(ch == 65 && k == 2)       // finally, if the last char of the sequence matches, you've got a key !
    printf("You pressed the up arrow key !!\n");
  if(ch == 66 && k == 2)                             
    printf("You pressed the down arrow key !!\n");
  if(ch != 27 && ch != 91)      // if ch isn't either of the two, the key pressed isn't up/down so reset k
    k = 0;
  printf("%c - %d", ch, ch);    // prints out the char and it's int code

It's kind of bold but it explains alot. Good luck !

Answer 4

I have written a function using getch to get arrow code. it's a quick'n'dirty solution but the function will return an ASCII code depending on arrow key : UP : -10 DOWN : -11 RIGHT : -12 LEFT : -13

Moreover,with this function, you will be able to differenciate the ESCAPE touch and the arrow keys. But you have to press ESC 2 time to activate the ESC key.

here the code :

char getch_hotkey_upgrade(void)
{
  char ch = 0,ch_test[3] = {0,0,0};

    ch_test[0]=getch();

    if(ch_test[0] == 27)
    {
        ch_test[1]=getch();

        if (ch_test[1]== 91)
        {
            ch_test[2]=getch();

            switch(ch_test[2])
            {
            case 'A':
                //printf("You pressed the up arrow key !!\n");
                //ch = -10;
                ch = -10;
                break;
            case 'B':
                //printf("You pressed the down arrow key !!\n");
                ch = -11;
                break;
            case 'C':
                //printf("You pressed the right arrow key !!\n");
                ch = -12;
                break;
            case 'D':
                //printf("You pressed the left arrow key !!\n");
                ch = -13;
                break;
            }
        }
        else
         ch = ch_test [1];
    }
    else
        ch = ch_test [0];
  return ch;
}