KEYBOARD NAVIGATION OF NON-FOCUSABLE COMPONENTS

摘要

A method is described for keyboard navigation in a graphical user interface. The method includes defining a key event dispatcher configured to recognize a special mode entry character and a special mode exit character. Upon entry of the special mode entry character by a user, a special mode is entered wherein subsequent key events are manipulated by the key event dispatcher while a current focus owner is maintained. The special mode is exited upon entry of the special mode exit character by the user. A windowing toolkit is also described for development of a graphical user interface including a plurality of tools having code suitable to be executed by a computer. The toolkit includes a first tool for defining a special mode entry character and a special mode exit character, and a second tool for defining a special mode to be entered upon entry of the special mode entry character and to be exited upon entry of the special mode exit character. The second tool provides a manipulation mechanism by which key events are manipulated while in the special mode and while maintaining a current focus owner.