How to tell key events of num key pressing down from main key area and num key area

Question

How to tell key events of num key pressing down from main key area and num key area

Rer 80

How to tell key events of num key pressing down from main key area and num key area in Win32 application?

Exactly the top num keys and those on right-hand side. I've used WM_CHAR to get key events but it fails to distinguish them. They actually have the same key values(?). Should I use other messages to receive events?

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Answer accepted by question author

Castorix31 91,871

This test works for me : (test Beep if Numpad (0-9 and +/-))

	case WM_CHAR:
	{
		UINT nScanCode = LOBYTE(HIWORD(lParam));
		if (nScanCode >= 0x47 && nScanCode <= 0x52)
			Beep(6000, 10);
	}
	break;

Rer 80 Reputation points

2023-08-24T16:36:25.5833333+00:00

Thanks for all you guys' answer!

And I've solve this problem by using WM_KEYDOWN message.
Rer 80 Reputation points

2023-08-25T09:20:09.3566667+00:00

One more question:

Can I use GetKeyState() in another thread?

I'm writing a part of codes to get key inputs while other main parts are running because the repeat delay(ms) and repeat rate(ms/char) of key inputs in this application should be changeable.

Or is there other alternatives for this implementation?
Castorix31 91,871 Reputation points

2023-08-25T09:29:29.1733333+00:00

Or is there other alternatives for this implementation?

A global hook could be used :

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/winmsg/about-hooks#wh_keyboard_ll

(WH_KEYBOARD_LL captures keys in all the system without DLL (needed with

WH_KEYBOARD))

1 additional answer

Your answer

Rer 80 Reputation points

2023-08-24T16:36:25.5833333+00:00

Thanks for all you guys' answer!

And I've solve this problem by using WM_KEYDOWN message.
Rer 80 Reputation points

2023-08-25T09:20:09.3566667+00:00

One more question:

Can I use GetKeyState() in another thread?

I'm writing a part of codes to get key inputs while other main parts are running because the repeat delay(ms) and repeat rate(ms/char) of key inputs in this application should be changeable.

Or is there other alternatives for this implementation?
Castorix31 91,871 Reputation points

2023-08-25T09:29:29.1733333+00:00

Or is there other alternatives for this implementation?

A global hook could be used :

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/winmsg/about-hooks#wh_keyboard_ll

(WH_KEYBOARD_LL captures keys in all the system without DLL (needed with

WH_KEYBOARD))

Answer 1

Hi, @Rer
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

They don't have the same key values between main key area and num key area.
You can see this documentation.
The following table shows the symbolic constant names, hexadecimal values, and mouse or keyboard equivalents for the virtual-key codes used by the system. The codes are listed in numeric order.
If you want to obtain the virtual key code from a WM_CHAR message,
please refer to this thread.

Thank you.

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How to tell key events of num key pressing down from main key area and num key area

1 additional answer

Your answer