Overriding ProcessKeyPreview, Enter WM_KEYDOWN...

[Ali Eghtebas]

Hi,

I have 3 questions regarding the code below:

1) Why can't I trap the KEYDOWN while I can trap KEYUP?
2) Is it correct that I use Return True within the IF-Statement? (I've
already read the documentation but it is rather hard to understand so please
don't refer to it :)
3) Many examples in the newsgroups use Return MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m) as
the last code line while I have used Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)
according to the MSDN, is this correct or is it a typo in MSDN? (watch for
line breaks in the url)

ms-help://MS.VSCC/MS.MSDNVS/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwindowsformscontrolclasspr
ocesskeypreviewtopic.htm

I aslo wonder if my code is correct as to subtitude Enter key with Tab in a
specifik column of the a datagrid. It seems to function well when trapping
the WM_KEYUP but to get the desired effect I need
to trap the WM_KEYDOWN, and doesn't work!

Protected Overrides Function ProcessKeyPreview(ByRef m As
System.Windows.Forms.Message) As Boolean
Dim keyCode As Keys = CType(m.WParam.ToInt32, Keys) And Keys.KeyCode
Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
Const WM_KEYUP As Integer = &H101

If m.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN AndAlso keyCode = Keys.Enter _
AndAlso DataGridColumnStyle1.TextBox Is ActiveControl _
AndAlso DataGrid1.DataSource.GetType Is GetType(DataView) Then
SendKeys.Send("{Tab}")
Return True
End If
Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)
End Function

--
Thanks in advance
Ali Eghtebas Sweden

[Tom Spink]

> 1) Why can't I trap the KEYDOWN while I can trap KEYUP?
??? Whats happening when you try to trap keydown?

2) Is it correct that I use Return True within the IF-Statement? (I've
already read the documentation but it is rather hard to understand so please don't refer to it :)
The return value is dependant on what the function does. If you process the
key return true, if you don't, return false.
3) Many examples in the newsgroups use Return MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m) as the last code line while I have used Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)
according to the MSDN, is this correct or is it a typo in MSDN? (watch for
line breaks in the url)
I can't see where ProcessKeyEventArgs appears anywhere, but it's wrong
anyway. It should be:

Return MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m)

This is because you are overriding the function, and so you are now letting
the original function process the key. The original function, that you
overrode, is not called, because you have overridden it, so calling that
line will call the original function and return the value that the original
function would have done.

(I hope that make sense)

Also, just FYI, Theres a better way to select the next control in a form,
other than sending the 'Tab' key (if you've seen my post about simulating
keystrokes earlier you'll realise I think it's bad). If you look at the
Me.SelectNextControl method, you can select the next control, based on the
ActiveControl:

Me.SelectNextControl(Me.ActiveControl, True)

More information on this:
<WatchForWrapping>
ms-help://MS.VSCC/MS.MSDNVS/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwindowsformscontrolclassse
lectnextcontroltopic.htm
</WatchForWrapping>

--
Happy to help,
-- Tom Spink
(th**********@ntlworld.com)

" There's no place like 127.0.0.1 "

Please respond to the newsgroup,
so all can benefit.
One Day,
"Ali Eghtebas" <al***@home.se> wrote in message
news:eO**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl... Hi,

I have 3 questions regarding the code below:

1) Why can't I trap the KEYDOWN while I can trap KEYUP?
2) Is it correct that I use Return True within the IF-Statement? (I've
already read the documentation but it is rather hard to understand so please don't refer to it :)
3) Many examples in the newsgroups use Return MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m) as the last code line while I have used Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)
according to the MSDN, is this correct or is it a typo in MSDN? (watch for
line breaks in the url)

ms-help://MS.VSCC/MS.MSDNVS/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwindowsformscontrolclasspr ocesskeypreviewtopic.htm

I aslo wonder if my code is correct as to subtitude Enter key with Tab in a specifik column of the a datagrid. It seems to function well when trapping
the WM_KEYUP but to get the desired effect I need
to trap the WM_KEYDOWN, and doesn't work!

Protected Overrides Function ProcessKeyPreview(ByRef m As
System.Windows.Forms.Message) As Boolean
Dim keyCode As Keys = CType(m.WParam.ToInt32, Keys) And Keys.KeyCode Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
Const WM_KEYUP As Integer = &H101

If m.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN AndAlso keyCode = Keys.Enter _
AndAlso DataGridColumnStyle1.TextBox Is ActiveControl _
AndAlso DataGrid1.DataSource.GetType Is GetType(DataView) Then
SendKeys.Send("{Tab}")
Return True
End If
Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)
End Function

--
Thanks in advance
Ali Eghtebas Sweden

[Ali Eghtebas]

The issue was solved by overriding ProcessCmdKey instead ;)
This might be an issue in .Net Framework 1.1.
--
Regards
Ali Eghtebas Sweden

"Ali Eghtebas" <al***@home.se> wrote in message
news:e6**************@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

1) Why can't I trap the KEYDOWN while I can trap KEYUP? ??? Whats happening when you try to trap keydown?

Actually what happens is that nothing happens since the execution never

gets into the If-Statement where I want to replace the Enter key with Tab key.
NOTE that I use .Net Framework 1.1.
This must be a bug or something since according to the documentation I
should be able to trap both KEYDOWN and KEYUP, which seems to only apply on KEYUP in this case.
To be more specifik m.Msg = WM_KEYUP returns True while m.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN
returns FALSE!

3) Many examples in the newsgroups use Return MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m)

as

the last code line while I have used Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m) according to the MSDN, is this correct or is it a typo in MSDN? (watch for line breaks in the url)
I can't see where ProcessKeyEventArgs appears anywhere, but it's wrong
anyway. It should be:

Return MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m)

This is because you are overriding the function, and so you are now

letting

the original function process the key. The original function, that you
overrode, is not called, because you have overridden it, so calling that
line will call the original function and return the value that the

original

function would have done.

(I hope that make sense)

This makes sence to me and that is also what I thought but the only
confusing thing about it is MSDN:
"Notes to Inheritors: When overriding the ProcessKeyPreview method in a
derived class, a control should return true to indicate that it has
processed the key. For keys that are not processed by the control, the
result of calling the base class's ProcessKeyEventArgs method should be
returned."

Also, just FYI, Theres a better way to select the next control in a form, other than sending the 'Tab' key (if you've seen my post about simulating keystrokes earlier you'll realise I think it's bad). If you look at the
Me.SelectNextControl method, you can select the next control, based on the ActiveControl:

Me.SelectNextControl(Me.ActiveControl, True)

More information on this:
<WatchForWrapping>

ms-help://MS.VSCC/MS.MSDNVS/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwindowsformscontrolclassse

lectnextcontroltopic.htm
</WatchForWrapping>

The reason I want to replace the Enter Key with Tab is not that I want

give the focus to the next control on my form. I do this since in the last row in a DataGrid when editing a Cell the Enter Key doesn't assign the new value to the Cell since this is the last row and hence there is no next row to move
the focus on. I simply send Replace the Enter with Tab there to make the
change in the Cell and trigger other code within
CurrentCellChanged.

One Day,
"Ali Eghtebas" <al***@home.se> wrote in message
news:eO**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

Hi,

I have 3 questions regarding the code below:

1) Why can't I trap the KEYDOWN while I can trap KEYUP?
2) Is it correct that I use Return True within the IF-Statement? (I've
already read the documentation but it is rather hard to understand so

please

don't refer to it :)
3) Many examples in the newsgroups use Return

MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m)

as

the last code line while I have used Return

MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m) according to the MSDN, is this correct or is it a typo in MSDN? (watch for line breaks in the url)

ms-help://MS.VSCC/MS.MSDNVS/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwindowsformscontrolclasspr

ocesskeypreviewtopic.htm

I aslo wonder if my code is correct as to subtitude Enter key with Tab in

a

specifik column of the a datagrid. It seems to function well when

trapping the WM_KEYUP but to get the desired effect I need
to trap the WM_KEYDOWN, and doesn't work!

Protected Overrides Function ProcessKeyPreview(ByRef m As
System.Windows.Forms.Message) As Boolean
Dim keyCode As Keys = CType(m.WParam.ToInt32, Keys) And

Keys.KeyCode

Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
Const WM_KEYUP As Integer = &H101

If m.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN AndAlso keyCode = Keys.Enter _
AndAlso DataGridColumnStyle1.TextBox Is ActiveControl _
AndAlso DataGrid1.DataSource.GetType Is GetType(DataView) Then
SendKeys.Send("{Tab}")
Return True
End If
Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)
End Function

--
Thanks in advance
Ali Eghtebas Sweden

[Tom Spink]

Glad you've got it sorted!!

"Notes to Inheritors: When overriding the ProcessKeyPreview method in a
derived class, a control should return true to indicate that it has
processed the key. For keys that are not processed by the control, the
result of calling the base class's ProcessKeyEventArgs method should be
returned."
Technically this is correct, though I see why you might find it confusing.
It's all about how the new events in VB are delegate methods. It simply
means call the base class' version of the method to make sure it gets
notified of the message.

--
Happy to help,
-- Tom Spink
(th**********@ntlworld.com)

" There's no place like 127.0.0.1 "

Please respond to the newsgroup,
so all can benefit.
One Day,
"Ali Eghtebas" <al***@home.se> wrote in message
news:#m**************@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

The issue was solved by overriding ProcessCmdKey instead ;)
This might be an issue in .Net Framework 1.1.
--
Regards
Ali Eghtebas Sweden

"Ali Eghtebas" <al***@home.se> wrote in message
news:e6**************@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl... > 1) Why can't I trap the KEYDOWN while I can trap KEYUP?
??? Whats happening when you try to trap keydown?
Actually what happens is that nothing happens since the execution never

gets

into the If-Statement where I want to replace the Enter key with Tab key.

NOTE that I use .Net Framework 1.1.
This must be a bug or something since according to the documentation I
should be able to trap both KEYDOWN and KEYUP, which seems to only apply

on

KEYUP in this case.
To be more specifik m.Msg = WM_KEYUP returns True while m.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN returns FALSE!

> 3) Many examples in the newsgroups use Return

MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m)

as
> the last code line while I have used Return

MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)

> according to the MSDN, is this correct or is it a typo in MSDN? (watch

for

> line breaks in the url)

I can't see where ProcessKeyEventArgs appears anywhere, but it's wrong
anyway. It should be:

Return MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m)

This is because you are overriding the function, and so you are now

letting

the original function process the key. The original function, that you
overrode, is not called, because you have overridden it, so calling

that line will call the original function and return the value that the

original

function would have done.

(I hope that make sense)

This makes sence to me and that is also what I thought but the only
confusing thing about it is MSDN:
"Notes to Inheritors: When overriding the ProcessKeyPreview method in a
derived class, a control should return true to indicate that it has
processed the key. For keys that are not processed by the control, the
result of calling the base class's ProcessKeyEventArgs method should be
returned."

Also, just FYI, Theres a better way to select the next control in a

form, other than sending the 'Tab' key (if you've seen my post about simulating keystrokes earlier you'll realise I think it's bad). If you look at the Me.SelectNextControl method, you can select the next control, based on the ActiveControl:

Me.SelectNextControl(Me.ActiveControl, True)

More information on this:
<WatchForWrapping>

ms-help://MS.VSCC/MS.MSDNVS/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwindowsformscontrolclassse

lectnextcontroltopic.htm
</WatchForWrapping>

The reason I want to replace the Enter Key with Tab is not that I want

give

the focus to the next control on my form. I do this since in the last

row in

a DataGrid when editing a Cell the Enter Key doesn't assign the new

value to

the Cell since this is the last row and hence there is no next row to

move the focus on. I simply send Replace the Enter with Tab there to make the
change in the Cell and trigger other code within
CurrentCellChanged.

One Day,
"Ali Eghtebas" <al***@home.se> wrote in message
news:eO**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
>
> I have 3 questions regarding the code below:
>
> 1) Why can't I trap the KEYDOWN while I can trap KEYUP?
> 2) Is it correct that I use Return True within the IF-Statement? (I've > already read the documentation but it is rather hard to understand so please
> don't refer to it :)
> 3) Many examples in the newsgroups use Return

MyBase.ProcessKeyPreview(m)

as
> the last code line while I have used Return

MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)

> according to the MSDN, is this correct or is it a typo in MSDN? (watch

for

> line breaks in the url)
>
>

ms-help://MS.VSCC/MS.MSDNVS/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwindowsformscontrolclasspr > ocesskeypreviewtopic.htm
>
> I aslo wonder if my code is correct as to subtitude Enter key with Tab

in

a
> specifik column of the a datagrid. It seems to function well when

trapping

> the WM_KEYUP but to get the desired effect I need
> to trap the WM_KEYDOWN, and doesn't work!
>
> Protected Overrides Function ProcessKeyPreview(ByRef m As
> System.Windows.Forms.Message) As Boolean
> Dim keyCode As Keys = CType(m.WParam.ToInt32, Keys) And
Keys.KeyCode
> Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
> Const WM_KEYUP As Integer = &H101
>
> If m.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN AndAlso keyCode = Keys.Enter _
> AndAlso DataGridColumnStyle1.TextBox Is ActiveControl _
> AndAlso DataGrid1.DataSource.GetType Is GetType(DataView)

Then > SendKeys.Send("{Tab}")
> Return True
> End If
> Return MyBase.ProcessKeyEventArgs(m)
> End Function
>
> --
> Thanks in advance
> Ali Eghtebas Sweden