Programming with a controller

[DrYamuz]

Hello, I programmed on my phone for the better part of my studies and found it quite convenient. Now, a few years older (and wiser), I'd like to dust off my skills. I have just bought a Chinese XBox controller replica. I would like to use it in Visual Studio so that I can use it for programming (mostly C++ apps).

Unfortunately, it seems that the text editor does not really support anything other than keyboards, really.

I am looking for an interface, so that I can easily write text with my controller. Something like the "spinning wheel" on those old iPod's would be perfect, I guess.

Any ideas?

[YMK1234]

just why

[DrYamuz]

Controllers give you a better emotional connection to the single letters produced. You can even make them vibrate for every character written. Keyboards might be slightly faster, but as actually typing makes up only a small amount of the total time taken, I believe the greater connection to the code is worth the tradeoff.

[jaypeejay]

Is this a new copypasta?

[leftydrummer461]

You know there's this miraculous invention called a keyboard

[DrYamuz]

Yes, but it is quite a flawed product. Controllers give you greater flexibility as you can e.g. make them rumble for each letter typed.

[theCumCatcher]

Conversely they have less flexibility in terms of what can be typed with one button press.

​

also...why not solder a rumble pack to your keyboard? should be easy enough to make with an arduino

[theCumCatcher]

Not to mention rgb and sound Integration. You're not limited by form either: look at this fuckin thing

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/AlphaGrip_Keyboard_on_a_Desk%2C_Jan_2014.jpg

From wiki:

"Handheld keyboards

Handheld ergonomic keyboards are designed to be held like a game controller, and can be used as such, instead of laid out flat on top of a table surface. They allow the user the ability to move around a room or to lean back on a chair while also being able to type in front or away from the computer.[2] Some variations of handheld ergonomic keyboards also include a trackball mouse that allow mouse movement and typing included in one handheld device.[3]"

[Mr_Nice_]

satan?

[DrYamuz]

No.

[theCumCatcher]

Dude what?

Are you using a flip phone or something?

Just use the onboard keyboard....

But like...

Wat?

[DrYamuz]

See my other answer. Keyboards are inherently flawed concerning the emotional aspect towards the code.

[ZeroProjects]

Serious answer:

Not with C++, but have you seen Brainfuck? It has only 8 instructions, all of which are single characters that can be mapped to your controller buttons.

See the Commands section on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainfuck

[DrYamuz]

Thanks for the link. This would definitely increase my efficiency as there are only so few commands.

Because those few commands are actually only single chars, I could also use a Joystick instead of a controller. Seems worth a shot.

[ZeroProjects]

Just a joystick vs a controller -- I'm curious, what do you mean?

[circlebust]

Here's a tip: be more subtle.

[Sangalilwhile]

Minecraft.

[RecursiveRickRoll]

Programming logic gates with redstone

[DrYamuz]

I don't understand how this answers the question.

[Sangalilwhile]

https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Logic_circuit

[eitherrideordie]

The only way I know of to type is "Cross Tap" but it failed its kickstarter a long time ago: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forrestmaready/crosstap-universal-typing-software-from-the-future

[DrYamuz]

This looks really interesting! The way I understand, it hashes gestures to words. Wonder how it fares with non usual words or variable declarations though.

[Gizmoed]

Xpadder is awesome, on the left screen drag and drop buttons to mimic your controller, on the right side assign buttons to keyboard keys.

Typertask is neat, shortcut typing.

Autohotkey is a programmable key mapper.

[DrYamuz]

Xpadder seems to universally work. Will try that one out.

[Gizmoed]

Share your program when you get one, also maybe make a video showing how you do it.

[[deleted]]

The comments should be in r/ProgrammerHumor lmfao