Lingo in a Nutshell

Keyboard Tasks

Table 10-10 shows the handler(s) and scripts(s) used to accomplish common tasks related to the keyboard. The trick is to place the correct type of handler in the correct type of script, so that it will be called when the event of interest occurs.

Table 10-10. Common Keyboard Tasks

To Detect	Use This Type of Handler or Property	In This Type of Script
Keyboard input for all sprites using a particular cast member	on keyDown	Castmember script
Keyboard input for a sprite	on keyDown	Sprite script
Keyboard input ignored by all sprites in a frame	on keyDown	Frame script
Keyboard input throughout the entire movie otherwise ignored by other scripts	on keyDown	Movie script
All keyboard input before it is passed to individual sprites or frames.	set the keyDownScript	Place primary event handler in movie script
Keyboard input from numeric keypad	on keyDown	Sprite or cast member script
Key being pressed at any time	set the keyDownScript	Place primary event handler in movie script
Key being released at any time	set the keyUpScript	Place primary event handler in movie script
Modifier keys	Check the commandDown, controlDown, optionDown, or shiftDown property	Any
The last key pressed	Check the key, keyPressed, keyCode property	Any
Whether a specific key is pressed	Use third-party Xtras described under "Keyboard Xtras" later in this chapter	Any

See "Keyboard Focus" earlier in the chapter to force keyboard focus on a sprite.There is no easy ...