mousetrap vs hotkeys-js vs keymaster
JavaScript Keyboard Shortcut Libraries Comparison
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mousetraphotkeys-jskeymaster
What's JavaScript Keyboard Shortcut Libraries?

JavaScript keyboard shortcut libraries are designed to simplify the process of capturing and handling keyboard events in web applications. They provide a straightforward API for defining keyboard shortcuts, allowing developers to enhance user experience by enabling quick access to functionalities through key combinations. These libraries help in managing complex key bindings and ensure that keyboard interactions are intuitive and responsive, contributing to a more efficient workflow for users.

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mousetrap561,53811,749-2395 years agoApache-2.0 WITH LLVM-exception
hotkeys-js536,8636,85298.6 kB149a day agoMIT
keymaster31,9896,528-8111 years ago-
Feature Comparison: mousetrap vs hotkeys-js vs keymaster

Ease of Use

  • mousetrap:

    mousetrap provides a user-friendly interface for defining keyboard shortcuts. It allows for easy binding of keys to functions and supports various key combinations, making it simple for developers to implement keyboard interactions in their applications.

  • hotkeys-js:

    hotkeys-js offers a straightforward API that allows developers to define keyboard shortcuts with minimal code. Its intuitive syntax makes it easy to implement and manage complex key combinations, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

  • keymaster:

    keymaster is designed for simplicity, providing a clean and minimalistic API that allows for quick setup of keyboard shortcuts. Developers can easily bind keys to functions without the need for extensive configuration, making it ideal for small projects or prototypes.

Feature Set

  • mousetrap:

    mousetrap offers a rich feature set, including support for global shortcuts, key sequences, and event handling across different browsers. It is well-equipped to handle complex keyboard interactions, making it a versatile choice for applications that require extensive keyboard support.

  • hotkeys-js:

    hotkeys-js supports advanced features such as nested shortcuts, key sequence detection, and the ability to disable shortcuts dynamically. This makes it a powerful choice for applications that require intricate keyboard interactions and user customization.

  • keymaster:

    keymaster focuses on the core functionality of key binding without additional features. It provides essential capabilities for defining shortcuts but lacks advanced functionalities like sequence detection or dynamic disabling, making it suitable for simpler applications.

Browser Compatibility

  • mousetrap:

    mousetrap is known for its excellent cross-browser compatibility, ensuring that keyboard shortcuts function correctly across different platforms. It addresses common issues related to key events in various browsers, making it a robust choice for applications with diverse user bases.

  • hotkeys-js:

    hotkeys-js is designed to work seamlessly across modern browsers, ensuring consistent behavior for keyboard shortcuts. It handles browser-specific quirks, providing a reliable experience for users regardless of their browser choice.

  • keymaster:

    keymaster is lightweight and focuses on compatibility with modern browsers. However, it may not fully support older browsers, so it's best suited for applications targeting contemporary web environments.

Community and Support

  • mousetrap:

    mousetrap boasts a solid community and extensive documentation, offering ample resources for developers. Its popularity ensures that users can find help and examples easily, making it a reliable choice for projects requiring community support.

  • hotkeys-js:

    hotkeys-js has a growing community and is actively maintained, providing developers with resources and support. Its documentation is clear and comprehensive, making it easier for new users to get started and find solutions to common issues.

  • keymaster:

    keymaster has a smaller community compared to other libraries, which may result in limited support and resources. However, its simplicity means that many developers can quickly understand and implement it without extensive documentation.

Performance

  • mousetrap:

    mousetrap is built for performance, efficiently managing keyboard events and ensuring that shortcuts are processed quickly. Its design allows for rapid execution of key bindings, making it a strong choice for applications with high keyboard interaction.

  • hotkeys-js:

    hotkeys-js is optimized for performance, allowing for quick execution of keyboard shortcuts without significant overhead. Its lightweight nature ensures that it does not slow down the application, even with numerous key bindings.

  • keymaster:

    keymaster is designed to be minimalistic, which contributes to its performance. It efficiently handles key events without unnecessary complexity, making it suitable for applications where performance is a critical concern.

How to Choose: mousetrap vs hotkeys-js vs keymaster
  • mousetrap:

    Select mousetrap if you need a robust solution that supports global shortcuts and has built-in support for key combinations across different browsers. It is well-suited for applications that require extensive keyboard interaction and need to handle various key events effectively.

  • hotkeys-js:

    Choose hotkeys-js if you need a lightweight library that supports complex key combinations and offers a simple syntax for defining shortcuts. It is particularly useful for applications that require a high level of customization and flexibility in key bindings.

  • keymaster:

    Opt for keymaster if you are looking for a minimalistic approach to keyboard shortcuts with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. It is ideal for projects where you want to quickly set up basic key bindings without much overhead.

Similar Npm Packages to mousetrap

mousetrap is a lightweight JavaScript library that enables developers to easily bind keyboard shortcuts to specific actions in web applications. It simplifies the process of handling keyboard events, allowing for a more intuitive user experience. While mousetrap is a popular choice for managing keyboard shortcuts, there are other libraries that offer similar functionality. Here are a few alternatives:

  • hotkeys-js is a powerful library for handling keyboard shortcuts in web applications. It provides a simple and flexible API for defining and managing hotkeys, supporting combinations like Ctrl, Shift, and Alt keys. hotkeys-js is particularly useful for applications that require complex keyboard interactions, as it allows for easy customization and management of keyboard events. Its ability to handle global shortcuts and context-specific key bindings makes it a strong alternative to mousetrap.
  • keymaster is another lightweight library for managing keyboard shortcuts in JavaScript applications. It offers a straightforward API for binding keys to functions, making it easy to implement keyboard shortcuts without much overhead. keymaster is designed to be simple and efficient, making it a good choice for developers who want to quickly add keyboard functionality to their applications without the need for extensive configuration.

To see how mousetrap compares with hotkeys-js and keymaster, check out the comparison: Comparing hotkeys-js vs keymaster vs mousetrap.

Similar Npm Packages to hotkeys-js

hotkeys-js is a lightweight JavaScript library that allows developers to easily manage keyboard shortcuts in web applications. It provides a simple API for defining and handling keyboard events, making it easier to create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. With hotkeys-js, you can bind specific keys or key combinations to functions, enhancing the overall user experience by enabling quick access to various features.

While hotkeys-js is a robust solution for managing keyboard shortcuts, there are alternatives available that also offer similar functionalities. Here are a couple of noteworthy options:

  • keymaster is a minimalistic library for handling keyboard shortcuts in web applications. It provides a straightforward API for binding keys to actions, allowing developers to create keyboard shortcuts with ease. Keymaster is particularly useful for projects that require a simple and lightweight solution without the overhead of more complex libraries. Its focus on simplicity makes it a great choice for small to medium-sized applications where quick implementation is key.

  • mousetrap is another popular library for managing keyboard shortcuts. It offers a rich set of features, including support for key combinations, event handling, and customizable key bindings. Mousetrap is well-suited for applications that require more advanced keyboard shortcut management, as it provides a robust set of functionalities while remaining easy to use. If you need a library that can handle complex key combinations and offers additional features like event propagation, Mousetrap is an excellent option.

To see how hotkeys-js compares with keymaster and mousetrap, check out the comparison: Comparing hotkeys-js vs keymaster vs mousetrap.

Similar Npm Packages to keymaster

keymaster is a lightweight JavaScript library for handling keyboard shortcuts in web applications. It provides a simple and intuitive API for defining and managing key bindings, making it easy for developers to enhance user interactions through keyboard shortcuts. While keymaster is a solid choice for managing keyboard events, there are other libraries that serve similar purposes. Here are a few alternatives:

  • hotkeys-js is a powerful and flexible library for capturing keyboard shortcuts. It allows developers to define hotkeys and manage complex key combinations with ease. Hotkeys-js supports various features such as event delegation, scope management, and custom key combinations, making it suitable for applications that require advanced keyboard interaction. If you need a robust solution for handling keyboard shortcuts with extensive functionality, hotkeys-js is an excellent option.
  • mousetrap is another popular library for managing keyboard shortcuts in web applications. It provides a straightforward API for binding keys and supports a wide range of key combinations, including special keys and sequences. Mousetrap is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for developers who want to quickly implement keyboard shortcuts without a steep learning curve. If you are looking for a lightweight and easy-to-use solution for keyboard event handling, mousetrap is a strong contender.

For a detailed comparison of these libraries, check out the link: Comparing hotkeys-js vs keymaster vs mousetrap.

README for mousetrap

Mousetrap

CDNJS

Mousetrap is a simple library for handling keyboard shortcuts in Javascript.

It is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license.

It is around 2kb minified and gzipped and 4.5kb minified, has no external dependencies, and has been tested in the following browsers:

  • Internet Explorer 6+
  • Safari
  • Firefox
  • Chrome

It has support for keypress, keydown, and keyup events on specific keys, keyboard combinations, or key sequences.

Getting started

  1. Include mousetrap on your page before the closing </body> tag

    <script src="/path/to/mousetrap.min.js"></script>

    or install mousetrap from npm and require it

    var Mousetrap = require('mousetrap');

  2. Add some keyboard events to listen for

    <script>
    // single keys
    Mousetrap.bind('4', function() { console.log('4'); });
    Mousetrap.bind("?", function() { console.log('show shortcuts!'); });
    Mousetrap.bind('esc', function() { console.log('escape'); }, 'keyup');

    // combinations
    Mousetrap.bind('command+shift+k', function() { console.log('command shift k'); });

    // map multiple combinations to the same callback
    Mousetrap.bind(['command+k', 'ctrl+k'], function() {
        console.log('command k or control k');

        // return false to prevent default browser behavior
        // and stop event from bubbling
        return false;
    });

    // gmail style sequences
    Mousetrap.bind('g i', function() { console.log('go to inbox'); });
    Mousetrap.bind('* a', function() { console.log('select all'); });

    // konami code!
    Mousetrap.bind('up up down down left right left right b a enter', function() {
        console.log('konami code');
    });
</script>

Why Mousetrap?

There are a number of other similar libraries out there so what makes this one different?

  • There are no external dependencies, no framework is required
  • You are not limited to keydown events (You can specify keypress, keydown, or keyup or let Mousetrap choose for you).
  • You can bind key events directly to special keys such as ? or * without having to specify shift+/ or shift+8 which are not consistent across all keyboards
  • It works with international keyboard layouts
  • You can bind Gmail like key sequences in addition to regular keys and key combinations
  • You can programatically trigger key events with the trigger() method
  • It works with the numeric keypad on your keyboard
  • The code is well documented/commented

Tests

Unit tests are run with mocha.

Running in browser

View it online to check your browser compatibility. You may also download the repo and open tests/mousetrap.html in your browser.

Running with Node.js

  1. Install development dependencies

    cd /path/to/repo
npm install

  2. Run tests

    npm test

Documentation

Full documentation can be found at https://craig.is/killing/mice

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