Is there a "Get Keyboard Input" function in Lua? (Arrow keys) - input

Question

I was wondering if you could receive keyboard input just like Java, C+, etc. Or if there isn't is there external libraries?
Here's some info on the 2D, Maze-Game:
You use the arrow keys to navigate through the maze. You use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select the objects in the menu, for example:
--> New Game
Load Game
Options
And so on... I appreciate any help. Good day.

Answer 1

Lua on its own does not provide any libraries that aren't part of ANSI C, which is part of the extensive portability of the language.
As such, you miss out on things like keyboard input and graphics, but also operations that might be considered "simple," like listing the files in a directory.
Most likely, there's a library for what you need, and if there isn't, then keep in mind that Lua is one of the friendliest languages to write C-side libraries for.
LOVE is a good framework that couples quite a few extensions to Lua (including a rather abstracted interface to SDL) with a distribution method, more or less. If you're developing games with Lua, this is a good place to start.
EDIT: If you're on Windows with LuaJIT and you're okay with global key hooks, then I developed a library recently (May 2015) that solves that problem: https://github.com/LPGhatguy/global-keys

Answer 2

There are libraries like curses that may help; here is one tutorial one reading arrow keys with curses in Lua. There is also luaposix library, which includes curses.

Answer 3

I have answer if you use linux this code will work. just try my code on other platform see if it work(if you curious). It doesn't echo the arrow key and doesn't wait until you press enter.
Modify some my code if this cause some problem.
This might be very useful for your 2D maze project
function getch_unix() --This return key pressed instantly without waiting until user press enter key
os.execute("stty -echo raw")
os.execute("stty cbreak </dev/tty >/dev/tty 2>&1")
local key = io.read(3) --must read three letter for getArrowKey to work
os.execute("stty -cbreak </dev/tty >/dev/tty 2>&1");
return(key);
end
function getArrowKey()
function split(str)
local tmp = {}
for let in string.gmatch(str, ".") do
table.insert(tmp, let)
end
return tmp
end
--[[
A is up arrow
B is down arrow
D is left arrow
C is right arrow
]]
local key = split(getch_unix())
if string.lower(key[3]) == "a" then
return "up"
elseif string.lower(key[3]) == "b" then
return "down"
elseif string.lower(key[3]) == "d" then
return "left"
elseif string.lower(key[3]) == "c" then
return "right"
else
error("Invalid arrow key!")
end
end
I get this way when i exprimenting with getch_unix() function that i found on internet searching to get a pressed key without echoing at all and not waiting for you press enter button.
EDIT:
Im also found https://github.com/max1220/lua-getch it has several useful features for your use case more info at the git if my code still not fit with your use case it also shorthen your code