how to build a simple text editor

rios

hi,

i m trying to build a simple text editor. should i use switch-case for every button in the keyboard or is there a short way or else? i dont know so much about coding but i m trying to get used to. any help appreciated, thank you.

rios

asimes

You can avoid a lot of cases by using checking ranges of ASCII: http://www.bibase.com/images/ascii.gif

void setup() {
  size(100, 100);
}

void draw() {
}

void keyPressed() {
  // Print only the common characters someone might type
  // Ignore the other ones
  if (key >= 32 && key <= 126)
    println(key);
}

rios

thanks so much. i got the case thing. and how can i make this "key" variable visible on screen, and not on top of each other but on a grid?

GoToLoop

My advise is always prefer keyCode for keyboard detection:
https://processing.org/reference/keyCode.html

Only when we need both upper & lower cases we need key instead:
https://processing.org/reference/key.html

P.S.: Disregard that silly CODED test. It's purely old superstition. :O)

asimes

Minimal implementation of key presses appearing and delete. I have not tested delete much, I just saw that it was key == 8 here: http://forum.processing.org/one/topic/backspace-deleting-text-from-strings.html

String buffer;

void setup() {
  size(800, 200);
  fill(0);

  buffer = "Press a key between 32 and 126 (inclusive): ";
}

void draw() {
  background(255);
  text(buffer, 8, 16);
}

void keyPressed() {
  if (key >= 32 && key <= 126)
    buffer += key;
  else if (key == 8 && buffer.length() > 0) // Backspace
    buffer = buffer.substring(0, buffer.length()-1);
}

Plenty to do before this is a usable text editor. Chances are textWidth will become your new best friend: https://processing.org/reference/textWidth_.html

rios

thank you for answers, i ll try both suggestions. i ll probably ask for some more help in the future

GoToLoop

http://studio.ProcessingTogether.com/sp/pad/export/ro.9Zo$UbIWYZEDR/latest