I'm trying to make an abstraction to detect arrow key presses. Problem is, [key] doesn't return a number for an arrow key press, and [keyname] only gives an on/off indicator and a name.

Is there any way to compare symbols in PD? If so I could use the right outlet of [keyname] to drive my detection object.

Many thanks

[sel Up Down Left Right]

or [route Up Down Left Right]

you will also need to use the left outlet of keyname to determine if the key is pressed.

and, usually, if you hold your key down for a second or so, it starts to send pressed/unpressed messages every 50ms or so...this is the key repeat time.
if you want to hold your key down and avoid these repeated messages, then you need to add a delay mechanism to the on/off detector.

check this:

http://www.pdpatchrepo.info/hurleur/arrowkeys.pd

Thanks hardoff, as ususal your help in these matters is thorough