Keyboard Shortcuts

Using the Shortcuts

This is generally pretty obvious, but if you're not sure, keep reading. Keyboard shortcuts are simply keyboard equivalents for invoking certain menu items. For instance, the single step menu item can be invoked using the mouse by clicking on the "Step" menu and selecting the "Single Step" item. In addition to using the mouse, there should be a keyboard key that is also assigned to invoke that menu item. By default it is the F11 key. On most user interfaces, the shortcut keys are indicated in the menu itself. Next to the words "Single Step" you should see a "F11".

Reassigning the Shortcuts

To change the keys used to invoke menu items, use the Preferences feature of JSwat. This is found under the "Options" menu and will bring up a dialog containing various JSwat settings. Select the "Shortcuts" item to see the assignable keyboard shortcuts. There are presently only a small set of menu items with keyboard shortcuts, but over time this will improve.

The allowable values for keyboard shortcuts are defined by the javax.swing.KeyStroke().getKeyStroke(String) method. That information is reprinted here for your convenience.

The keystroke string has the following syntax:

     <modifiers>* (<typedID> | <pressedReleasedID>)
     modifiers := shift | control | meta | alt | button1 | button2 | button3
     typedID := typed <typedKey>
     typedKey := string of length 1 giving Unicode character.
     pressedReleasedID := (pressed | released)? key
     key := KeyEvent keycode name, i.e. the name following "VK_".

If typed, pressed or released is not specified, pressed is assumed. The button1, button2, and button3 modifiers refer to the respective mouse buttons. Here are some examples:

     "INSERT"
     "control DELETE"
     "alt shift X"
     "alt shift released X"
     "typed a"

Reserved Key Combinations

The Java Foundation Classes, the component set used by JSwat to build the graphical interface, seems to reserve some key combinations. In particular: