INPUT, INPUT_KEYBOARD, ip were not declared in this scope - c++

Question

#include <windows.h>
int main()
{
// This structure will be used to create the keyboard
// input event.
INPUT ip;
// Pause for 10 seconds.
Sleep(1000*10);
// Set up a generic keyboard event.
ip.type = INPUT_KEYBOARD;
ip.ki.wScan = 0; // hardware scan code for key
ip.ki.time = 0;
ip.ki.dwExtraInfo = 0;
// Press the "F5" key
ip.ki.wVk = 0x74; // virtual-key code for the "F5" key
ip.ki.dwFlags = 0; // 0 for key press
SendInput(1, &ip, sizeof(INPUT));
// Release the "F5" key
ip.ki.dwFlags = KEYEVENTF_KEYUP; // KEYEVENTF_KEYUP for key release
SendInput(1, &ip, sizeof(INPUT));
// Exit normally
return 0;
}
The codes above are simulating to press F5 button, but there are some errors related to declaration.
INPUT, INPUT_KEYBOARD, ip were not declared in this scope.
How to solve it?

Answer 1

Without knowing what compiler and platform toolset you're using it's hard to determine what, exactly, is wrong. Reading the fine manual says:
Header Winuser.h (include Windows.h)
Which you're doing.
It also says:
A problem with INPUT using
When I try to use the INPUT structure, my compiler tells me this structure is undeclared, but I have included <windows.h>. After some searching, I find a solution, the <winable.h> should also be included. I don't know why, but it works.
MarrySunny
12/6/2011
Although you'd probably be better off using a recent version of Microsoft Visual Studio and the Windows SDK.

Answer 2

You're trying to use "SendInput()", which isn't available in some versions of Windows.
One possibility is to this:
#define WINVER 0x0500
#include <windows.h>
...
This might force Windows to use a specific version ... and might (depending on your specific platform) work exactly like you want :)
Here is the documentation:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms646310%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
Another possibility might be to substitute an OLDER APi, like keybd_event:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee504289.aspx
To be sure, it would be useful to know your specfic:
Platform: Windows 7?
Compiler: MSVS 2013?
Library: Microsoft-provided Win32 library? "Something else"?