Block barcode input

[x-intercept]

The code below, which is from another thread, identifies input from a barcode reader and saves it as a variable. When I use it in my text editor the barcode input is inserted as an alphanumeric string, because the barcode reader is set up to append a carriage return after reading the barcode. Without re-programming the barcode reader, is there some way to block the input from the reader but retain the barcode string as a variable?

Code: Select all

#SingleInstance force

Chars = 0123456789 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz!""$`%^&*()_+=-``\|,./;'#[]{}:@~<>?
Loop, Parse, Chars 
{
	fn := Func("BarcodeHandler").Bind(A_LoopField)
	Hotkey, % "$~" A_LoopField, % fn, on
}
  
Chars_Upper = ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Loop, Parse, Chars_Upper 
{
	fn := Func("BarcodeHandler").Bind(A_LoopField)
	Hotkey, % "$~+" A_LoopField, % fn, on
}

fn := Func("BarcodeHandler").Bind(" ")
Hotkey, $~Space, % fn, on

BarCodeHandler(key){
	global Accu
	Accu .= key
	If (Strlen(Accu) > 4 && A_TimeSincePriorHotkey < 20)
		SetTimer, TheBigShebang, -20
	Else If (A_TimeSincePriorHotkey > 25)
		Accu := SubStr(key, 0)
}

TheBigShebang:
If Accu
  msgbox You scanned barcode %Accu%
return

^Esc::ExitApp

[boiler]

Try removing the ~ character from each Hotkey command’s first parameter.

By the way, I don’t know why your line that assigns characters to the chars variable includes a space since that gets added as a hotkey specifically later, and I don’t know why it has two quotation marks in a row. Quotation marks aren’t escaped by preceding it with another one in legacy syntax, which is what is used there.

[x-intercept]

Thanks, I will try that. I have just used the code posted here:

viewtopic.php?t=60613

[boiler]

I don't see a version there that has a space between the 9 and the a like the code you posted has.

I see they do have a pair of quotation marks, but that's a misapplication of Escape Sequences. As is shown on that page of the documentation, two consecutive quotation marks are for expressions only, so there should only be one in that line. This demonstrates the difference:

Code: Select all

MsgBox, Legacy syntax requires only one " character
MsgBox, % "Expressions require the "" character to be escaped"

[x-intercept]

Thanks, boiler. Would you mind explaining to a beginner what the function of the ~ is, in the context used?
The error with the space after the 9 was my own
The code now does what I asked, but how can I get it to unblock keyboard input after the barcode has been recognized and the variable saved?

[boiler]

Would you mind explaining to a beginner what the function of the ~ is, in the context used?

~ is a hotkey modifier symbol that prevents the hotkey from blocking its key’s native function.

how can I get it to unblock keyboard input after the barcode has been recognized and the variable saved?

You can use Suspend after the input from the barcode reader is complete to make all hotkeys inactive. Use Suspend, Off when you’re ready to have it read the barcode input again.

[x-intercept]

Thanks!