5 replies to this topic

[djdrake2]

I am fairly new to programming however I have had an idea for a program. Is there a way to monitor other applications that are currently running and identify when someone runs a command. For example, in MSWord when someone clicks the Bold button to embolden text.

To put it into context my program would identify when people click commands in various programs and show the keyboard shortcut visually on screen so that they can get used to the shortcuts and increase their efficiency using the application. My idea is to have one program that runs in the background and suggests keyboard shortcuts for a range of major programs. Most applications have the shortcut in the menu however newer versions of Office (with the ribbon) do not automatically show the shortcuts.

Is there anyway to achieve this?

[dargueta]

This is highly specific to what operating system you're using. I take it you mean Windows?

[djdrake2]

Yes I was thinking Windows 7.

[dargueta]

Microsoft Visual Studio already comes with an app almost exactly like that. They creatively called it Spy. Or something to that effect.

[djdrake2]

I have done a bit of research on Spy++ however it only appears to give you information about the window. I don't think it would allow me to monitor when the menu items were used and the buttons on the ribbon for example.

[Kuto]

You should hook a specific thread and its message queue, this is not an easy operation for people who are new in windows programming. Check this link out for more information.
Hooks (Windows)