Is there a way to run a bit of code when a key is pressed?

[Bufflez]

I've been wondering for a while if there is a way to run some code when you press a certain key. for instance:

When the key 'M' is pressed, then:
cout << "'M' key pressed!" << endl;

How do I do this?

[Volatile Pulse]

There is no standard for this. Your best bet is to look into your OS's API for something. Duoas has an article about doing something similar with the Windows API.

[viliml]

getch is the non-standard function for this, but this may also do the trick: http://www.cplusplus.com/articles/yAUq5Di1/

[zwA4jE8b]

if you want portability you can use SDL, then your program will work on linux and windows.

in short

while(SDL_PollEvent(&event)
{
  if event.type ==SDL_KEYDOWN
    if event.key.keysym.sym == SDLK_m
      std::cout << 'M' key pressed!" << std::endl;
} 

[Zephilinox]

or SFML, which doesn't use ugly capitals and is written in C++ instead of C.

just sayin'

[BrokenSilenceDev]

Is there any reason this can't be done? Like something I dont know about?

if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_UP))
{
std::cout << "You pressed up";
}

Or is it because that is just for Windows?

[Volatile Pulse]

Only for windows, but I don't believe it "just works" like that. I could be wrong, however.

[zwA4jE8b]

I believe that is the wrong syntax for getasynckeystate() but it is rather easy to use.

[BrokenSilenceDev]

It probably is the wrong syntax or something. I havent used it in a long time.