30 replies to this topic

[Spector_Slayor]

Be it a game or a browser, or just simply searching for something on your phone/tablet all of these things use the same built in default virtual keyboard(unless you downloaded an alternative). Is there a function to access a device's keyboard yet? i.e. bring it up/hide it.

To be honest this is a pretty important feature... I'm sure I just over looked the command...

[Destron]

I traditional Android development the IME is shown automatically when focused on an area that needs it such as an EditText field, I am sure the behavior will be handled in a similar manner in that we won't specify when the IME is shown but rather what items should call it when the are focused.

[gnysek]

AFAIK in current version of Studio, virtual keyboard isn't working.

[rwkay]

You will get the virtual keyboard if you use get_integer or get_string, but these functions are just for debug we will be providing new versions of these functions that work a synchronously, as most of the target os's do not allow busy waiting, it is a CPU and battery hog, windows is unusual in that it encourages the use of busy waiting functions, all these types of functions are being removed.

Russell

[heysparky]

Snip

You will get the virtual keyboard if you use get_integer or get_string, but these functions are just for debug

So if I use get_string and it works in the Windows C++ Runner, but not for iOS, is this a bug? Known or otherwise? (NOTE: I've been able to test and run on my iOS device, so the pipeline to the device is in place and working). If not a bug - what am I doing wrong?

userstr = get_string("keyboardTest", "")

I don't want to hijack, so if I should start a new thread, please let me know.

[Spector_Slayor]

Snip

You will get the virtual keyboard if you use get_integer or get_string, but these functions are just for debug

So if I use get_string and it works in the Windows C++ Runner, but not for iOS, is this a bug? Known or otherwise? (NOTE: I've been able to test and run on my iOS device, so the pipeline to the device is in place and working). If not a bug - what am I doing wrong?

userstr = get_string("keyboardTest", "")

I don't want to hijack, so if I should start a new thread, please let me know.

No, by all means use the topic.
Anyways as Russel said "these functions are just for debug we will be providing new versions of these functions..."
I believe I read somewhere saying that the current functions are in for testing purposes, not as a final function yet.
So for now unless anyone else has more insight into it we're just going to have to wait and see.

[heysparky]

I can't bring up the keyboard on my mobile device using these functions, so I'm a little fuzzy on how they work for debugging. It's critical to an idea that I'm working on to take user input via the keyboard. I can work around it, but I'd like to work on that bit.

[cotycrg]

It would be pretty nice to have some textbox options. I'm not quite sure how that would integrate into GM...but the YoYo team is clever. I'm sure they could figure it out.

[rwkay]

if you use get_string or get_integer then a dialog will appear with an input box, when you select the input box then the soft keyboard for your device will appear - unfortunately the way this function works means that if a phone call comes in while this is up, or another app comes to the front, or the screen saver kicks in then the function will break - so the get_string() function will only work on Test/Debug versions as we do not want products up on the market place that work badly for users.

If the soft keyboard is not working for you then please file a bug with an example - remember the keyboard will only appear if you select the input box and start inputting text...

We will be providing new functions that effectively do the same but they will work asynchronously so the GML code does not stop while the user is inputting the answer - this means they will work properly with the OS and handle things like phone calls and other interruptions.

Russell

[heysparky]

Understood. Thanks for the reply. I was hoping just what you answered was the case. However...

remember the keyboard will only appear if you select the input box and start inputting text...

I'm not seeing any input box on my iOS device. I have a very simple test case that draws two variables to the screen... a counter that counts down from 5 and a temp string that updates with the inputted (inpot? inputteded?) user name. It works as expected in the Windows C++ Runner, but not at all on my iOS device.

I want to make sure it's not user error before I log it as a bug. This is the code I'm using:

//input name

userName = get_string("Enter name:", "")

The behavior that I'm observing is that that line of code does run and blanks out my tempName, but I don't get to interface with it before this happens. Thoughts?

[heysparky]

Updated to current release and all is well. No bug - user error.

Thanks, folks.

[dasrkrain]

Do we have a release date yet for the new functions? I need the player to enter a name for his save file in android and as of right now I have no official way of doing that. If I just go ahead and use the get_string function it works with android, but it crashes my iPad every time. User input is a really big deal. This seems like it should be a huge priority.

[knockedout]

Don't want to create a new thread so there won't be multiple ones, so I would be reviving this one.

Are there any updates regarding this?

[hexdump]

I'm insteresed in this too... any news?

[Arusiasotto]

The feature is not yet implemented. Your best bet is to use your own keyboard code. There are a couple floating around in the android subsection.

[Maverick22]

OK, I think we have all been patient enough waiting for this feature! And show_message needs to work outside development too! I know there are user created alternatives for this, but seriously, it is already built into all of the mobile platforms. Why do we have to build our own???? This feature (and showing the keyboard should not be classified as a feature, in my opinion) was requested back in March 2012. It is now November.

Studio is a great product and improving in leaps and bounds, but using the built in keyboards should be considered core functionality. I'm begging you guys, please release access to the soft keyboards and a show_message/alert that we can use in releasing our games - Soon!

Thanks for letting me vent,
Maverick.

[TeamSteeve]

It's definitely a priority to me! I really really really want this functionality.
I think it's just tacky to use a keyboard other than the the one the mobile user has set up on their phone already.

[ObsidianNovels]

me 2

[icuurd12b42]

There is a new staff choice tutorial on an alternative which looked Ok, at least for the standard keys.

Definitly get_string() should pop the enter text standard keyboard... a version that does not pause the game would be nice too.

[killer777]

when we can access ios and android virtual keyboards with new functions ? i really need this .