How to block keyboard when script running?

[hisense]

How to block keyboard when script running?

[cunderw]

Short answer you can't. Test complete sends real keystrokes and mouse actions when playing back.

[hisense]

I do NOT think so.Without keyboard,the scripts can work normally.Any guy can show a code sample?Thanks advance!

[hisense]

I do NOT think so.Without keyboard,the scripts can work normally.Any guy can show a code sample?Thanks advance!

[tristaanogre]

Right, without a physical keyboard hooked up, it will still work.  However, TestComplete "takes over" the UI input on the operating system while it's executing so any keystrokes ore mouse actions done while the automation is running will interfere.

[hisense]

the following ppython code sample dose NOT work in TestComplete ,why?
import time
from ctypes import *
user32 = windll.LoadLibrary('user32.dll')
user32.BlockInput(True);
time.sleep(10);
user32.BlockInput(False);

[tristaanogre]

Define "does not work"? Where is the error?  What error message are you getting?

Again... TestComplete needs to be able to interact with the objects on screen.  It needs to be able to simulate keyboard and mouse events and it does so using the operating system.  What is your purpose behind wanting to block the keyboard?  What are you trying to achieve?  Perhaps there is a better way. 

[hisense]

Below is my answer: 1、There is no error message when running the code,it just sleep 10 seconds but the physical keyboard still can input. 2、I want to block physical keyboard input to avoid unexpected input when the scripts running. 3、TestComplete can work fine even no physical keybaord attached, so if I blocked keyboard input,it can simulate normally.

[tristaanogre]

The answer is this:

you can't.  Best practice is that, if an automation is running, the machine should be left untouched.  This can be done with VM's in a console mode or a lab.  

[AlexKaras · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Does this help?

(Note: ages old DelphiScript code that might not work in modern TestComplete and/or Windows and I think that you definitely must consider bitness as described here: https://support.smartbear.com/testcomplete/docs/testing-with/advanced/using-external-functions/calli...)

//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

// Blocks keyboard and mouse input events from reaching applications.
// Function's effect can be cancelled by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del
procedure StopKeyMouse;

var Def_DLL;
var Def_Proc;
var Lib;

begin
    Def_DLL := DLL.DefineDLL('USER32');
    Def_Proc := Def_DLL.DefineProc('BlockInput', vt_b1, vt_b1);
    Lib := DLL.Load('USER32.DLL', 'USER32');
    Lib.BlockInput(true);
end;
//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

// Unblocks keyboard and mouse input events from reaching applications.
procedure ResumeKeyMouse;

var Def_DLL;
var Def_Proc;
var Lib;

begin
    Def_DLL := DLL.DefineDLL('USER32');
    Def_Proc := Def_DLL.DefineProc('BlockInput', vt_b1, vt_b1);
    Lib := DLL.Load('USER32.DLL', 'USER32');
    Lib.BlockInput(false);
end;
//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------