Subj : Switch/Case with inkey() not working
To   : Codefenix
From : Digital Man
Date : Wed Jan 08 2025 11:49:39

  Re: Switch/Case with inkey() not working
  By: Codefenix to All on Wed Jan 08 2025 11:36 am

 > Having an odd problem with a script I'm writing.
 >
 > Consider the following JS code:
 >
 > while (!script_exit) {
 >   switch (console.inkey().toUpperCase()) {
 >     case "A":
 >         doThingOne();
 >         break;
 >     case "B":
 >         doThingTwo();
 >         break;
 >     case KEY_ESC:
 >     case "Q":
 >     case "\r":
 >         script_exit = true;
 >         break;
 >     default:
 >         log("switch default"); // hits this every time
 >   }
 > }
 >
 > I'm trying to get a single key from the user and let the switch/case block
 > handle accordingly. However, instead of waiting for input, it immediately
 > falls to the default conition (as commented above).

by default, console.inkey() immediately returns null when there's no pending keyboard input. I recommend passing a non-zero timeout value to inkey() (so you don't peg the CPU while polling for input) and then checking for null (no input) as a possible return value.

 > If I change inkey to getkey, it works as expected. I'd prefer to use inkey
 > instead of getkey though, to avoid showing the cursor while waiting for
 > input.

The cursor is displayed by the terminal, no the BBS, so using inkey() or getkey(), you'll still get a cursor (somewhere).
-- 
                                            digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #46:
"Not an Exit" - we don't want an exit. Well that's true.
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