Press key to exit loop

[DFTBA]

In my program, I am constantly performing the same task, as many times per second as possible. The thing is, I want to be able to exit the loop at will. I think the best way is to have it make the user press the "Q" key to end the program. How do I set this up? I know I need to use break and keyevent. But I'm not sure how to implement it.

[DarrylBurke]

Unanswerable without more detail.

If this is a console program, it can't be done. Not with a single keypress anyways.

If this is a GUI program you need to tell us what GUI toolkit is used.

db

[DFTBA]

I'm using AWT and Swing. I think that answers your question.

[k1ng]

Then your best bet is to put the executing code into a thread (a Runnable class or Thread class), make it check some variable for quit condition (i.e. boolean isTimeToQuit) then stick a KeyListener (How to Write a Key Listener (The Java™ Tutorials > Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing > Writing Event Listeners)) on your window to catch the 'Q' press and change isTimeToQuit to true.

[DFTBA]

I don't know what that means. Runnable class? Thread class? And I don't know how the KeyListener is implemented. Can I get more detail?

[k1ng]

I left a link for the KeyListener, as for the Thread and Runnable they are two ways to split your program into two threads and make it do more than one thing simultaneously, it's easy to find info on them online. Just look up multi-threaded programming in Java

[Fubarable]

I don't know what that means. Runnable class? Thread class? And I don't know how the KeyListener is implemented. Can I get more detail?

Surely Google is working in your part of the world?

[JosAH]

Surely Google is working in your part of the world?

Google *what*?

kindest regards,

Jos