RE: Problem with getch( )

[Matthew Orlando <neato@mythtec.com>]

============================================================
Shopping for auto insurance? Compare up to four companys'
rates at progressive.com, rated the top online insurance
carrier by internet quality measurement firm Gomez.com.
http://click.topica.com/caaacoBbUrGczbU68iFa/Progressive
============================================================

There probably is, but it's not all that hard to write your own
checker:

int c
if (kbhit()) c = getch();

That's all there is to it. The low order byte stores the ASCII
representation. Of course, this method (and getch() in general)
relies on the typematic rate set by BIOS. If you hold down a key,
it will write one character, pause for a little bit, and then
write that character repeatedly at varying speeds. For games,
it's better to use direct keyboard access via a library.

-----Original Message-----
From: gwang@i-mail.com.au [mailto:gwang@i-mail.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 2:29 AM
To: gameprogrammer@topica.com
Subject: Problem with getch( )


============================================================
YOU'VE EARNED IT! If you are over age 50, subscribe to
the SeniorDiscounts.com Email newsletter and get the
discounts you deserve. It's fast, easy and FREE at:
http://click.topica.com/caaacr0bUrGczbVM1hDa/Senior
============================================================

Hi,

I've been trying to make a simple space game which runs by something like
this:

main()
{
 while(QuitGame != 1){
     ObtainArrowKeyPressFromUser();
     RedrawSpaceshipAtNewLocation(); /* erase old ship, draw new ship */
     UpdateBackground();  /* Just scrolling stars */
 }
}

And I run into a problem when I used getch() in
ObtainArrowKeyPressFromUser(). Understandably the background does not update
until the user presses a key, ie if the user does not press anything, the
stars stop scrolling. Apparently it's because getch() waits on me for a
keypress, and wouldn't go on unless something if pressed; after I pressed
one key, the stars scroll half an inch and stop again as another keypress is
needed.

How can I get by this problem?

I thought about checking the keyboard buffer or borrow timer interrupt, but
it seems too complicated and un-necessary... Is there a simple way out eg. a
getch() which automatically exits if a key is not pressed say within 1/5 of
a second?

Thanks a lot.

GEORGE
(By the way, the C I use is TurboC 2.0 for MS-DOS)
__________________________________________________________________
Free POP e-mail, fax, SMS and calendar at http://www.i-mail.com.au

============================================================
Want to save a fortune?
It's fast, easy, and fun with outrageous deals from
TopOffers.
http://click.topica.com/caaab6ebUrGczbVM1hDf/TopOffers
============================================================


============================================================
Want to save a fortune?
It's fast, easy, and fun with outrageous deals from
TopOffers.
http://click.topica.com/caaacgJbUrGczbU68iFf/TopOffers
============================================================

==^================================================================
EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrGcz.bU68iF
Or send an email To: gameprogrammer-unsubscribe@topica.com
This email was sent to: list@pendleton.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================