[C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

skwee · 2013-08-27 12:03:58

Hi there!

I'm interested in in writing an input handler for Linux to be able to handle input without X. For some reason, any Google result gives me example using XInput (such annoying that Linux in our days means Linux Kernel + X server =\ ).

Any ideas or material to read? Thanks!

WorMzy · 2013-08-27 12:18:03

If you're wanting raw events, you should probably read up on the kernel module documentation for the devices, e.g. usbhid, psmouse, synaptics, etc.

A link to get you started:
https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentatio … /input.txt

skwee · 2013-08-27 12:20:08

Thanks for the quick reply!
Maybe I misused the word "raw". I know there is evdev (or udev?) that sort of unifies the events from different devices. Can someone point me in that direction?

WorMzy · 2013-08-27 12:30:48

evdev is a part of Xorg, so I don't think that will be much use to you. The source code is available on the xorg website if you want to look at it though.

skwee · 2013-08-27 12:35:19

This part was very confusing. At some point I was sure evdev is part of the kernel.

Some there is no unified input access to the kernel apart from querying each device individually?

WorMzy · 2013-08-27 12:42:54

My bad, yes it is a kernel module too, it's described in the first link I posted.

gsingh93 · 2013-09-12 04:58:35

For keyboard input you can use the output from /dev/input/eventX. I have a very simple keylogger that does this, it should be fairly straightforward but you can ask me if you have any questions: https://github.com/gsingh93/simple-key-logger

Trilby · 2013-09-12 12:09:53

Do you need something as gsingh93 suggests, or are you just writing console/tty programs that need keyboard and mouse input. The latter is much easier. Just set a couple term settings to get the raw keyboard input and disable echoing (and/or use ncurses to do this for you) and use something like gpm (and/or ncurses) to handle mouse input.

Arch Linux

#1 2013-08-27 12:03:58

[C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

#2 2013-08-27 12:18:03

Re: [C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

#3 2013-08-27 12:20:08

Re: [C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

#4 2013-08-27 12:30:48

Re: [C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

#5 2013-08-27 12:35:19

Re: [C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

#6 2013-08-27 12:42:54

Re: [C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

#7 2013-09-12 04:58:35

Re: [C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

#8 2013-09-12 12:09:53

Re: [C,C++] How to handle raw input from keyboard, mouse without X

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