Difference between the KeyDown Event, KeyPress Event and KeyUp Event in Visual Studio

Question

Can anyone tell me the difference between the KeyDown event, the KeyPress event and the KeyUp event? I checked the msdn site and it do

Answer 1

In addition to the other answers:

When trying to figure to which of these events you should hookup your action, mind that the KeyDown event will be fired multiple times while the key is held down. Sometimes you want this behavior, sometimes not. Based on that I suggest the following usage (based on my experience):

(Order in which events are fired)

KeyDown

Occurs: When key is pressed and while held down
Usage: Perform action immediately on button press or even multiple times when held down
Example: Moving cursor with arrow keys

.

KeyPress

Occurs: Character key is pressed (Higher level event)
Usage: Anything typing related
Example: Handle textbox input

.

KeyUp

Occurs: Key is released
Usage: Perform critical action which should only occur once per keystroke
Example: Write data to file