Thread: key binding: VK_ALT and VK_SHIFT not working

I'm trying to bind the left alt key and the right shift key in a JPanel. Here's my code:

	int RIGHT_SHIFT = KeyEvent.VK_SHIFT;
	int LEFT_ALT    = KeyEvent.VK_ALT;
 
	// right shift (move current item right)
	inputMap.put(KeyStroke.getKeyStroke(RIGHT_SHIFT, 0, false), "right_shift");
	actionMap.put("right_shift", new InputProcessor(PRESSED, RIGHT_SHIFT));
 
	// left alt (move current item left)
	inputMap.put(KeyStroke.getKeyStroke(LEFT_ALT, 0, false), "left_alt");
	actionMap.put("left_alt", new InputProcessor(PRESSED, LEFT_ALT));

Neither alt keys nor the shift keys have the effect I want.

But if I change my code to this:

	int RIGHT_SHIFT = KeyEvent.VK_S;
	int LEFT_ALT    = KeyEvent.VK_A;
 
	// right shift (move current item right)
	inputMap.put(KeyStroke.getKeyStroke(RIGHT_SHIFT, 0, false), "right_shift");
	actionMap.put("right_shift", new InputProcessor(PRESSED, RIGHT_SHIFT));
 
	// left alt (move current item left)
	inputMap.put(KeyStroke.getKeyStroke(LEFT_ALT, 0, false), "left_alt");
	actionMap.put("left_alt", new InputProcessor(PRESSED, LEFT_ALT));

It works.

So what does VK_ALT and VK_SHIFT refer to? Why does using VK_S and VK_A make the s and a keys effective but using the VK_ALT and VK_SHIFT doesn't make the alt and shift keys effective? What would one use if he wanted to use the alt and shift keys - and specifically the left alt key and the right shift key?

Thanks for the suggestions aussiemsgr.

I just cross-posted this on another forum: key binding: VK_ALT and VK_SHIFT not working - Java Forums

Can you use a KeyListener rather than bindings? I know the keypressed of KeyListener is fired for alt's and shift's. Just tried the keybinding approach and it doesn't work for alts and shifts (never tried so its news to me)....there's probably a logical explanation buried in the api somewhere as to why but I don't have time to go deep into it to find that reason.

PS appreciate the link indicating the cross post.

I received a reply in that thread I cross-posted on. It gives the solution to my problem and explains everything (including why ALT and SHIFT didn't work in key binding).

Thanks for everyone's help anyway.