IF KEY

The If Key chip allows you to manually control your ChipWit by pressing specific keys on the keyboard. This chip can create True/False branches based on whether a designated key is pressed, enabling real-time control of the ChipWit’s actions.

Specifications #

Arguments: (On Keyboard) A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, directional arrow keys
Creates a True or False Branch?: Yes, If Key does create a True/False branch.
Number of Cycles Used: 3
Fuel: 1

Special Note #

The desired key must be pressed and held to function properly. Tapping the key will not activate it, or it may not work well.

Example of Use #

The If Key chip allows you to take manual control of your ChipWit during gameplay:

Key-Bot Setup: Set up an If Key chip to allow the player (you!) to control the ChipWit’s movement. For example, the ChipWit could automatically search for and zap Electrocrabs, while its navigation relies on you pressing the directional arrow keys on your keyboard to control its movement.

By using If Key, you can combine automation with manual input, giving you direct control over specific actions in the mission.

History #

“If Key” as it appears in various historic incarnations of ChipWits!

COMMODORE 64:

MANUAL:
“A CHIPWIT can be programmed for every situation he’ l encounter, but there may be times when you’ll want to control his actions yourself. The Compare key instruction a lows you to have manual control. In fact, you can even program a CHIPWIT to be operated completely from the keyboard.”

APPLE II:

MANUAL:
“If the keyboard is being pressed at the time the chip is executing. If the key is being pressed, the program continues through the KEYPRESS chip’s true wire. If the key is not being pressed, the program continues through the false wire. KEYPRESS allows the programmer to step in and direct the flow of the program. KEYPRESS is discussed in Chapter n. The Arguments for KEYPRESS are the letters of the alphabet and a blank square. The letters stand for specific keys you want the KEYPRESS to check for. The blank square will cause a true branch if no key is pressed and a false branch if any letter is pressed.”

MAC:

MANUAL:
“KEYPRESS checks to see if a specified key on the Macintosh keyboard is being pressed at the time the chip is executing. If the key is being pressed, the program will branch through the true wire. If the key is not being pressed, the program will branch through the false wire. KEYPRESS allows the programmer to step in and direct the flow of the program. KEYPRESS is discussed in Chapter II. The Arguments for KEYPRESS are the letters of the alphabet and a blank square. The letters stand for specific keys you want the KEYPRESS to check for. The blank square will cause a true branch if any key is pressed.”