When a windowed control receives a key-down message (WM_KEYDOWN) from Windows, its message handler calls the DoKeyDown method. If DoKeyDown determines that the control should, in fact, process the character, it calls KeyDown, passing the key code and shift-key state in the Key and Shift parameters, respectively. 

KeyDown calls any event handler attached to the OnKeyDown event. Override KeyDown to provide other responses in addition to the event-handler call. 

The Key parameter is the key on the keyboard. For non-alphanumeric keys, you must use WinAPI virtual key codes to determine the key pressed. For more information, search for virtual key codes in the Win32 Developer's Reference (WIN32.HLP).  

The Shift parameter indicates whether the Shift, Alt, or Ctrl keys are combined with the keystroke. 

Either KeyDown or the OnKeyDown event handler it calls can suppress further processing of a key by setting the Key parameter to zero. 

KeyUp 

OnKeyDown 

DoKeyDown 

DoKeyPress 

DoKeyUp