ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition

Key.getCode() Method

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ActionScript Language Reference

See Also

Key.getCode( ), Key.isDown( ); Appendix B

Key.getCode() Method

returns the keycode of the last key pressed

Flash 5

Key.getCode()

Returns

An integer representing the keycode of the last key pressed.

Description

The getCode( ) method returns the keycode of the last key that was pressed; the keycode is

an arbitrary number representing the physical location of a key on the keyboard. On non-

Windows operating systems, the native keycode system is translated automatically by Flash

to the Windows equivalent, so getCode( ) provides a cross-platform means of detecting

specific physical keys. The getCode( ) method can also be used to differentiate between two

keys with the same ASCII value. For example, it can differentiate between the 8 key on the

main keyboard and the 8 key on the numeric keypad, whereas getAscii( ) cannot. However,

getCode( ) cannot differentiate between upper- and lowercase letters (for example, A and a

use the same keycode because they are produced using the same key). Nor does it detect

modifier keys such as the Ctrl or Shift key.

Many common keycode values are available as properties of the Key object, as shown in

Table R-8 under the Description for the Key object. To determine the keycode of a partic-

ular key, ...