<AWT Dev> Workaround for bug JDK-8167263: "[macos] Java keyPressed function of Key Listener doesn't work for W, A, S, D"

[Gareth Randall]

Hi,

I have a workaround for bug JDK-8167263: "[macos] Java keyPressed 
function of Key Listener doesn't work for W, A, S, D"

However, I do not have rights to post on the discussion for this bug so 
perhaps someone could post this message to the thread?
The thread is at: https://bugs.openjdk.java.net/browse/JDK-8167263

Workaround:

The problem of missing events is related the macOS feature which offers 
the character accent menu when a key is held down, instead of 
auto-repeating.

I experienced the same problem described in the bug but with a different 
set of keys. (In my case Z, X, : and .) When I disabled the character 
accent menu the problem disappeared and key events auto-repeated as 
expected.

To disabled the character accent menu and enable auto-repeat, type the 
following at the command prompt:

     defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false

This can be reversed with the following:

     defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool true

Hopefully this will provide a pointer for your team to work out how to 
do this programmatically, but until then the workaround can help 
interested users.

Yours,

Gareth