Ways to trap function key

[TerryRitchie]

Don't think I ever used the Key method in Eric's first example. So it was news to me no matter long it's been around. Thanks Eric!

So that makes 4 ways to trap a key:
1. Inkey$
2. KeyHit
3. Keydown
4. Key

SmallBASIC had a way to associate a Key to a subroutine so that routine would  execute when the Key was pressed, maybe ON KEY for us?

Just looked it up: Yes! On Key(1) would trap the F1 key and send you to a GoSub or Sub you setup on same command. Numbers 1-10 dedicated to Function keys then 11-14? the arrow keys, this old stuff probably came with QB4.5?

This goes all the way back to GWBasic. When you start GWBasic you'll see a row of text at the bottom of the screen. Each word equates to an F key. This can be turned on and off using KEY ON/OFF. You as the programmer could also set these to whatever you liked as you have discovered.

That's why in many GWBasic programs the first line usually read:

KEY OFF: CLS

Here's a site with some info:

http://www.antonis.de/qbebooks/gwbasman/key.html