How to detect backspace in a keyTypedEvent

Question

I\'m using Netbeans\' bean form to create my GUI.
I\'ve added a keyTyped event to a JTextArea and I want to detect if the typed key is a Backspace.

I\'

Answer 1

backspace and delete have the following constants:

VK_BACK_SPACE

VK_DELETE

Constants are listed here: Class KeyEvent

From docs.oracle.com

WARNING: Aside from those keys that are defined by the Java language (VK_ENTER, VK_BACK_SPACE, and VK_TAB), do not rely on the values of the VK_ constants. Sun reserves the right to change these values as needed to accomodate a wider range of keyboards in the future.

Aside from that, I suggest you use keyPressed() or keyReleased() since keyTyped() is only used for keys that produce characters. Keys backspace and delete do not produce characters.

Additional:

getKeyChar() works well with KEY_TYPED, as mentioned here:

The getKeyChar method always returns a valid Unicode character or CHAR_UNDEFINED. Character input is reported by KEY_TYPED events: KEY_PRESSED and KEY_RELEASED events are not necessarily associated with character input.

Therefore, the result of the getKeyChar method is guaranteed to be meaningful only for KEY_TYPED events.

You can take a look at these links:

The keyTyped() event is only used for keys that produce character input.

"Key typed" events are higher-level and generally do not depend on the platform or keyboard layout.

Answer 2

You cannot use keyTyped, you need to use either keyPressed or keyReleased to determine if backspace character has been typed. The keyTyped event only picks up non-escape characters (only characters that can be displayed).

The backspace character can be checked with KeyEvent.VK_BACK_SPACE.

Try adding this listener to the keyPressed event:

import java.awt.event.KeyEvent;

private void langArea1KeyPressed(KeyEvent evt) {   
    if (evt.getKeyCode() == KeyEvent.VK_BACK_SPACE) {
        // Do something...
    }
}

Additional Reading

You can check out the official Java tutorial on How to Write a Key Listener.