JSlider -- catch when arrow keys are pressed

Question

Hi,
With a JSlider, when it has focus and a user presses the left/right arrow keys ..the thumb on the slider is moved to a new value. I tried adding a keyListener but that didnt work...how can I catch when a left/right arrow key is pressed??
thanks

Answer 1

You can take over the binding, but you will be responcible for the action....
import javax.swing.*;
import javax.swing.border.*;
import javax.swing.table.*;
import javax.swing.event.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
public class KeyMappingEx extends JFrame
JSlider slid;
    public KeyMappingEx()
        super( "Key Mapping Ex");
        setDefaultCloseOperation( EXIT_ON_CLOSE );
        slid  = new JSlider( 0, 100, 50 );
          slid.setMajorTickSpacing( 20 );
        slid.getInputMap( ).put( KeyStroke.getKeyStroke(KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT, 0, false),
                                   "RIGHT_ARROW" );
        slid.getActionMap().put( "RIGHT_ARROW", new RightAction(  ) );
        slid.getInputMap( ).put( KeyStroke.getKeyStroke(KeyEvent.VK_LEFT, 0, false),
                                   "LEFT_ARROW" );
        slid.getActionMap().put( "LEFT_ARROW", new LeftAction(  ) );
        setContentPane( slid );
        pack();
        setLocationRelativeTo( null );
        setVisible( true );
    public static void main( String[] args )
        try
            UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
        catch( Exception e )
        new KeyMappingEx();
    class RightAction extends  AbstractAction
        public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
            System.out.println("RIGHT ARROW");
            slid.setValue( slid.getValue() + slid.getMajorTickSpacing() );
    class LeftAction extends  AbstractAction
        public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
            System.out.println("LEFT ARROW");
            slid.setValue( slid.getValue() - slid.getMajorTickSpacing() );
}