basically i'm making a program that listens for user input when it isn't the main focus and then outputs keyboard presses appropriately.

IE

i'm typing in notepad and push f5 lets say, the program realizes this and then mimics keyboard presses using Robot...

using windows vista

This is not possible in Pure Java due to the fact it runs on a VM. What you are after is a keyboard hook. Which must be written externally (making it platform dependant) and linked in using the likes of JNI. As it happens I am in the middle of doing this, and it's not straight forward I have to say, but that might just be my lack of experience and I am after all just a novice programmer. But I'd take a look at this thread.

http://www.javaprogrammingforums.com...oard-hook.html

Regards,
Chris

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chris[at]javaprogrammingforums[dot]com

University of Wales, Bangor

thanks for your help i've realized c++ is the better way to go

Are you writing your own notepad-like program? If so, check here.

If not, go with what the other people are saying.

i'm actually trying to make program that listens for keyboard input while it is in the background

for instance i'm playing a game and i press f5, i want the program to realize this (while its in the background) and push certain key combinations for me

So basically you are trying to write a game automation bot for something such as WoW...by the sounds of it.

Chris

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chris[at]javaprogrammingforums[dot]com

University of Wales, Bangor

yeah mainly for games but i dont play wow :p

This seems to be what most people want to do with this sort of application. I like the idea of being able to automate keystrokes in games. Programming magic...

Shame it's not so easy in Java!

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Well you never know then, maybe my C++ hook, which might I add is coming along qute nicely now just need to get down and finish it and hope that it all works since function testing is quite hard / impossible lmao so its just do and pray it works first time xD

But ye It might be quite popular, be it for a good use or not hehe xD

Chris

__________________
chris[at]javaprogrammingforums[dot]com

University of Wales, Bangor