c# reading a key without displaying it

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i want to read the pressed key, without displaying it in console, and then decide (switch/case) what to do depending on the Key.

I have tried console.readkey(true); but it goes to the unexpected case.

Any ideas?

In my game I have a switch/case, (my cases are 1, 2 and 3), and I want the user to choose either 1,2 or 3 and then, depending on that, the game should do something.

I don't want the pressed key to be displayed.
Eg. When the user presses 1, the game should be started but it doesn't!
It returns like it ignores case 1 and jumps to default.

Posted 19-Aug-11 2:36am

firstfox

Updated 19-Aug-11 2:52am

Dalek Dave

v3

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Manfred Rudolf Bihy 19-Aug-11 8:38am

What "unexpected case" are you talking about?

firstfox 19-Aug-11 8:45am

in my game i have a switch/case...my cases are 1, 2 and 3...
i want the user to choose either 1,2 or 3 and then,depending on that the game should do sth....
but i dont want the pressed key to be displayed...
for example the user presses 1,the game should be started but it doesnt! it returns...like it ignores case 1.. and jumps to default

Dalek Dave 19-Aug-11 8:52am

Edited for Grammar, Syntax and Readability.

4 solutions

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Abhinav S · Answer 1 · 2011-08-19T02:39:00

Solution 1

Try System.Console.ReadKey(true);

Posted 19-Aug-11 2:39am

Abhinav S

Updated 19-Aug-11 18:38pm

v2

Comments

firstfox 19-Aug-11 8:42am

sorry..i made a mistake in typing..i have tried console.readkey(true);

BoxyBrown 19-Aug-11 8:45am

and what you mean by "but it goes to the unexpected way"?

firstfox 19-Aug-11 8:48am

in my game i have a switch/case...my cases are 1, 2 and 3... i want the user to choose either 1,2 or 3 and then,depending on that the game should do sth.... but i dont want the pressed key to be displayed... for example the user presses 1,the game should be started but it doesnt! it returns...like it ignores case 1.. and jumps to default

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 20-Aug-11 0:38am

This is correct, only I fixed case and added namespace. My 5.
--SA

Abhinav S 21-Aug-11 12:04pm

Thank you.

fjdiewornncalwe · Answer 2 · 2011-08-19T03:29:00

At this point you need to set a breakpoint in your code on the line directly below your Console.ReadKey(true) call and then run your code in a debug session. Check the value of your key variable in the debugger and step through the code to see what is happening. Perhaps the value of key is not what you expect. If you are checking for key == 1 then you may have an issue as key will likely hold a keycode and not the display value of 1.

CPallini · Answer 3 · 2011-08-19T02:44:00

Solution 2

As Abhinav already pointed out, you should use Console.ReadKey(true), see the documentation[^] for a code sample.

Posted 19-Aug-11 2:44am

CPallini

BoxyBrown · Answer 4 · 2011-08-19T02:52:00

Solution 3

I thought about invisible typing password and create this example. It works well. So 1 and 2 solutions are good answers for your question.

C#

Console.WriteLine("Enter your password");
StringBuilder password = new StringBuilder();
ConsoleKeyInfo keyInfo =  Console.ReadKey(true);
while(keyInfo.Key != ConsoleKey.Enter)
{
    password.Append(keyInfo.KeyChar);

    keyInfo = Console.ReadKey(true);
}
Console.WriteLine("Your password:'{0}'", password);

Posted 19-Aug-11 2:52am

BoxyBrown

Comments

BoxyBrown 19-Aug-11 8:54am

I think error is in other logic.

firstfox 19-Aug-11 9:02am

if i declare ConsoleKeyInfo cki = Console.ReadKey(true);
i cannot have the cki in my switch expression becuz its a consolekeyinfo

BoxyBrown 19-Aug-11 9:03am

int input = Convert.ToInt32(key.KeyChar.ToString());

switch (input)
{
case 1:
Console.WriteLine("1");
break;
case 2:
Console.WriteLine("2");
break;
case 3:
Console.WriteLine("3");
break;
default:
Console.WriteLine("default");
break;
}

try this one. But I better work around Convert.ToInt32(key.KeyChar.ToString());

BoxyBrown 19-Aug-11 9:04am

if i remove ToString(), i've got your situation.

firstfox 19-Aug-11 9:12am

what is "Convert.ToInt32(key.KeyChar) " ?

BoxyBrown 19-Aug-11 9:14am

convert your input key symbol to int.
'1' -> 1

firstfox 19-Aug-11 9:24am

should i use console.readkey(true); before
int input = Convert.ToInt32(?.KeyChar.ToString());

and also keychar is not a method of key....

BoxyBrown 19-Aug-11 9:27am

ConsoleKeyInfo key = Console.ReadKey(true);
int input = Convert.ToInt32(key.KeyChar.ToString());

switch(input)
{
...

firstfox 19-Aug-11 9:29am

yea..got it..thanks so much :)

BoxyBrown 19-Aug-11 9:16am

Sorry missed line.
ConsoleKeyInfo key = Console.ReadKey(true);

c# reading a key without displaying it

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