AutoHotkey Community

[shimanov]

The script contains code for implementation of a custom hotkey control. It follows, in principle, the grammar and semantics of AHk. The goal was to introduce an architecture to enable supplementing existing capabilities in as seamless and transparent manner as possible. In this regard, I decided to use functions to replace the Gui command, but retain its defined usage otherwise. In fact, the built-in Gui command and the Gui function can coexist, and the Gui function employs the Gui command for creation of Gui components.

Obviously, this is meant as a means to enhance AHk until desired capabilities are added natively. It also lends itself to research and development of enhancement concepts, which may provide Chris a shortcut when it comes time to update AHk.

This particular example is not quite complete, but sufficiently so that I decided to submit it for feedback. As a hotkey control it displays information for a single key, but provides the means to recognize combinations of keys. Technically, the method used is able recognize any number of keys depressed (e.g., Ctrl+1, Left Shift+Space+1+2+3+A, etc.); however, there are technical limitations (at the moment) which allow far less. Just watch the ToolTips. The codes in the "states" ToolTip can be interpreted with information from the MSDN Virtual -Key Codes page.

I have tested the code with Windows XP SP2, with an IBM notebook and Microsoft Natural keyboards, and the latest AHk v1.0.38.06. It should work.

Anyway... here is the code:

(Notice the coexistance of two "hotkey controls", and the similarity of their function and appearance)

[Chris]

Holy mackerel, my socks have been knocked off!

Thanks for sharing this amazing script.

[shimanov]

Changes:

* display and assignment of key combinations (modifiers+key)
* assigned variable (var) contains modifiers+key (compatible with AHk?)
* var@name contains full text names of modifiers+key
* introduced concept of registered components and controls

- permits global, unique data storage (variant of a list)

[Terrapin]

Shimanov, hello. I was interested in this as I am using hotkey controls in a helper app I'm writing. So I got around to trying it out. I'm not at all certain whether you intend it to be used, or used in it's current status?

In any case, I ran across two problems. Most likely they are due to my inability to use the function correctly, but I cannot figure out why.

One is very simple, and appears simply by running your script on my computer. If I press either Windows key, it seems to be duplicated or doubled, ie 'Left-Windows+Left-Windows'.

Next I attempted to incorporate the control in place of one of my hotkey controls from AHK (directly). I got the AHK error 'a control's variable must be global.' I tried making a very simple GUI in another script, and got the same message. I was able to declare my associated variable global, by name, at the appropriate location in your code (just after 'varName' is created and before the Edit control is called).

I noticed in your most recent post on this thread a comment about variables, but I don't understand it, I'm afraid. Nor do I understand why I don't get the error when running your script.

Again, I am a little unclear whether you are submitting your function for others to use or not. But, a comment on my part would be that in my app I don't want to distinguish between left & right 'shift' keys. I probably could filter out your < & >, but I wonder if another parameter to tell the function how you would like it to work would be appropriate?

It would also be very handy in either the AHK command or your function, if a key-combination keyed in could be intercepted before it can get to Windows, or any app, if it is already assigned. Possibly a 'warning' message could be displayed by the caller of your function in the case of an errorlevel code being returned.

In respect, I studied your code some and you are far advanced beyond my skills, so anything I've said above is intended very humbly.

I am also using WinXP SP2, on an Athlon 64 and an Asus mobo.

Thank You,

Bob

(Sometime later.... I figured out how to prevent the error, you probably guessed I neglected to include the lines from the g-label subroutine. I don't know how to construct those lines on my own though. But I - geek that I am - learned by poring through your code. On the Win keys, I don't know. Does any key reset the hotkey to Null?)

[shimanov]

[shimanov]

Changes:

* support for multiple hotkey controls in multiple windows
* support to mask L/RWin and AppsKey effects

Known issue:

* coexistance with other "Edit" controls

I am considering registering a custom class, to simplify distinguishing between "Edit" and custom hotkey controls. But this will be left for a later update.

[Terrapin]

Thank You. I worked with it more and have it working I think, but there are one or two things I could probably do a better way. I will work with it more, and as you suggest either pm you or post in the Help Forum.

I appreciate it!

Bob

[toralf]

Hi Shimanov,

I tested your script. It is brilliant. But I wonder what benefit it gives the general user? Does it have advantages over the default hotkey control?

I'm very sorry, I might be blind. As far as I understood, it dublicates the default hotkey control functionality and therefore gives the ability to test new abilities just by programming in AHK. Am I right?
_________________
Ciao
toralf

[shimanov]

[shimanov]

Changes:

* coexistance with other "Edit" controls

[shimanov]

[toralf]

Thank you very much for the expalnations. Maybe you should point out the benefits of your code in respect to the original hotkey command in your first post more clearly.

Thanks for sharing.
_________________
Ciao
toralf

[shimanov]

[Terrapin]

@Toralf:

My primary interest in the "enhanced" control was, I think, simply that it allows the Win keys. I was coding a helper app for another program, and the author of that program wanted Win keys available as shift/modifier keys.

However, I am mostly self-taught at coding, so working through some very well constructed code was helpful to me (I hope). I still can be pretty sloppy.

Bob
_________________
When it comes to Binary, there are 10 types of people. Those who get it and those who don't.

[shimanov]

changes:

* ...@name is initialized with contents of fourth parameter

Thanks to incith for reporting this deficiency.

- - - - - - - - - -

edit: 2006.02.17

The change was insufficient to correct the deficiency.

For those who are interested, modify the code to support the following syntax: