Robot (Java Platform SE 8 )

java.lang.Object
- java.awt.Robot

```
public class Robot
extends Object
```
This class is used to generate native system input events for the purposes of test automation, self-running demos, and other applications where control of the mouse and keyboard is needed. The primary purpose of Robot is to facilitate automated testing of Java platform implementations.
Using the class to generate input events differs from posting events to the AWT event queue or AWT components in that the events are generated in the platform's native input queue. For example, Robot.mouseMove will actually move the mouse cursor instead of just generating mouse move events.
Note that some platforms require special privileges or extensions to access low-level input control. If the current platform configuration does not allow input control, an AWTException will be thrown when trying to construct Robot objects. For example, X-Window systems will throw the exception if the XTEST 2.2 standard extension is not supported (or not enabled) by the X server.
Applications that use Robot for purposes other than self-testing should handle these error conditions gracefully.
Platforms and desktop environments may impose restrictions or limitations on the access required to implement all functionality in the Robot class. For example:
- preventing access to the contents of any part of a desktop or Window on the desktop that is not owned by the running application.
- treating window decorations as non-owned content.
- ignoring or limiting specific requests to manipulate windows.
- ignoring or limiting specific requests for Robot generated (synthesized) events related to keyboard and mouse etc.
- requiring specific or global permissions to any access to window contents, even application owned content,or to perform even limited synthesizing of events.
The Robot API specification requires that approvals for these be granted for full operation. If they are not granted, the API will be degraded as discussed here. Relevant specific API methods may document more specific limitations and requirements. Depending on the policies of the desktop environment, the approvals mentioned above may:
- be required every time
- or persistent for the lifetime of an application,
- or persistent across multiple user desktop sessions
- be fine-grained permissions
- be associated with a specific binary application, or a class of binary applications.
When such approvals need to given interactively, it may impede the normal operation of the application until approved, and if approval is denied or not possible, or cannot be made persistent then it will degrade the functionality of this class and in turn any part of the operation of the application which is dependent on it.
Since:

1.3

Constructor Summary

Constructors
Constructor and Description
`Robot()` Constructs a Robot object in the coordinate system of the primary screen.
`Robot(GraphicsDevice screen)` Creates a Robot for the given screen device.

Method Summary

All Methods Instance Methods Concrete Methods
Modifier and Type	Method and Description
`BufferedImage`	`createScreenCapture(Rectangle screenRect)` Creates an image containing pixels read from the screen.
`void`	`delay(int ms)` Sleeps for the specified time.
`int`	`getAutoDelay()` Returns the number of milliseconds this Robot sleeps after generating an event.
`Color`	`getPixelColor(int x, int y)` Returns the color of a pixel at the given screen coordinates.
`boolean`	`isAutoWaitForIdle()` Returns whether this Robot automatically invokes `waitForIdle` after generating an event.
`void`	`keyPress(int keycode)` Presses a given key.
`void`	`keyRelease(int keycode)` Releases a given key.
`void`	`mouseMove(int x, int y)` Moves mouse pointer to given screen coordinates.
`void`	`mousePress(int buttons)` Presses one or more mouse buttons.
`void`	`mouseRelease(int buttons)` Releases one or more mouse buttons.
`void`	`mouseWheel(int wheelAmt)` Rotates the scroll wheel on wheel-equipped mice.
`void`	`setAutoDelay(int ms)` Sets the number of milliseconds this Robot sleeps after generating an event.
`void`	`setAutoWaitForIdle(boolean isOn)` Sets whether this Robot automatically invokes `waitForIdle` after generating an event.
`String`	`toString()` Returns a string representation of this Robot.
`void`	`waitForIdle()` Waits until all events currently on the event queue have been processed.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait

- Constructor Detail
  - Robot
```
public Robot()
      throws AWTException
```
    Constructs a Robot object in the coordinate system of the primary screen.
    
    Throws:
    
    AWTException - if the platform configuration does not allow low-level input control. This exception is always thrown when GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless() returns true
    
    SecurityException - if createRobot permission is not granted
    
    See Also:
    
    GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless(), SecurityManager.checkPermission(java.security.Permission), AWTPermission
  - Robot
```
public Robot(GraphicsDevice screen)
      throws AWTException
```
    Creates a Robot for the given screen device. Coordinates passed to Robot method calls like mouseMove and createScreenCapture will be interpreted as being in the same coordinate system as the specified screen. Note that depending on the platform configuration, multiple screens may either:
    - share the same coordinate system to form a combined virtual screen
    - use different coordinate systems to act as independent screens
    This constructor is meant for the latter case.
    If screen devices are reconfigured such that the coordinate system is affected, the behavior of existing Robot objects is undefined.
    Parameters:
    
    screen - A screen GraphicsDevice indicating the coordinate system the Robot will operate in.
    
    Throws:
    
    AWTException - if the platform configuration does not allow low-level input control. This exception is always thrown when GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless() returns true.
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if screen is not a screen GraphicsDevice.
    
    SecurityException - if createRobot permission is not granted
    
    See Also:
    
    GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless(), GraphicsDevice, SecurityManager.checkPermission(java.security.Permission), AWTPermission
- Method Detail
  - mouseMove
```
public void mouseMove(int x,
                      int y)
```
    Moves mouse pointer to given screen coordinates.
    The mouse pointer may not visually move on some platforms, while the subsequent mousePress and mouseRelease can be delivered to the correct location
    
    Parameters:
    
    x - X position
    
    y - Y position
  - mousePress
```
public void mousePress(int buttons)
```
    Presses one or more mouse buttons. The mouse buttons should be released using the mouseRelease(int) method.
    Parameters:
    buttons - the Button mask; a combination of one or more mouse button masks.
    It is allowed to use only a combination of valid values as a buttons parameter. A valid combination consists of InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON2_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON3_DOWN_MASK and values returned by the InputEvent.getMaskForButton(button) method. The valid combination also depends on a Toolkit.areExtraMouseButtonsEnabled() value as follows:
    
    If support for extended mouse buttons is disabled by Java then it is allowed to use only the following standard button masks: InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON2_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON3_DOWN_MASK.
    If support for extended mouse buttons is enabled by Java then it is allowed to use the standard button masks and masks for existing extended mouse buttons, if the mouse has more then three buttons. In that way, it is allowed to use the button masks corresponding to the buttons in the range from 1 to MouseInfo.getNumberOfButtons().
    It is recommended to use the InputEvent.getMaskForButton(button) method to obtain the mask for any mouse button by its number.
    
    The following standard button masks are also accepted:
    
    InputEvent.BUTTON1_MASK
    InputEvent.BUTTON2_MASK
    InputEvent.BUTTON3_MASK
    However, it is recommended to use InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON2_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON3_DOWN_MASK instead. Either extended _DOWN_MASK or old _MASK values should be used, but both those models should not be mixed.
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if the buttons mask contains the mask for extra mouse button and support for extended mouse buttons is disabled by Java
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if the buttons mask contains the mask for extra mouse button that does not exist on the mouse and support for extended mouse buttons is enabled by Java
    
    See Also:
    
    mouseRelease(int), InputEvent.getMaskForButton(int), Toolkit.areExtraMouseButtonsEnabled(), MouseInfo.getNumberOfButtons(), MouseEvent
  - mouseRelease
```
public void mouseRelease(int buttons)
```
    Releases one or more mouse buttons.
    Parameters:
    buttons - the Button mask; a combination of one or more mouse button masks.
    It is allowed to use only a combination of valid values as a buttons parameter. A valid combination consists of InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON2_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON3_DOWN_MASK and values returned by the InputEvent.getMaskForButton(button) method. The valid combination also depends on a Toolkit.areExtraMouseButtonsEnabled() value as follows:
    
    If the support for extended mouse buttons is disabled by Java then it is allowed to use only the following standard button masks: InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON2_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON3_DOWN_MASK.
    If the support for extended mouse buttons is enabled by Java then it is allowed to use the standard button masks and masks for existing extended mouse buttons, if the mouse has more then three buttons. In that way, it is allowed to use the button masks corresponding to the buttons in the range from 1 to MouseInfo.getNumberOfButtons().
    It is recommended to use the InputEvent.getMaskForButton(button) method to obtain the mask for any mouse button by its number.
    
    The following standard button masks are also accepted:
    
    InputEvent.BUTTON1_MASK
    InputEvent.BUTTON2_MASK
    InputEvent.BUTTON3_MASK
    However, it is recommended to use InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON2_DOWN_MASK, InputEvent.BUTTON3_DOWN_MASK instead. Either extended _DOWN_MASK or old _MASK values should be used, but both those models should not be mixed.
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if the buttons mask contains the mask for extra mouse button and support for extended mouse buttons is disabled by Java
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if the buttons mask contains the mask for extra mouse button that does not exist on the mouse and support for extended mouse buttons is enabled by Java
    
    See Also:
    
    mousePress(int), InputEvent.getMaskForButton(int), Toolkit.areExtraMouseButtonsEnabled(), MouseInfo.getNumberOfButtons(), MouseEvent
  - mouseWheel
```
public void mouseWheel(int wheelAmt)
```
    Rotates the scroll wheel on wheel-equipped mice.
    
    Parameters:
    
    wheelAmt - number of "notches" to move the mouse wheel Negative values indicate movement up/away from the user, positive values indicate movement down/towards the user.
    
    Since:
    
    1.4
  - keyPress
```
public void keyPress(int keycode)
```
    Presses a given key. The key should be released using the keyRelease method.
    Key codes that have more than one physical key associated with them (e.g. KeyEvent.VK_SHIFT could mean either the left or right shift key) will map to the left key.
    
    Parameters:
    
    keycode - Key to press (e.g. KeyEvent.VK_A)
    
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if keycode is not a valid key
    
    See Also:
    
    keyRelease(int), KeyEvent
  - keyRelease
```
public void keyRelease(int keycode)
```
    Releases a given key.
    Key codes that have more than one physical key associated with them (e.g. KeyEvent.VK_SHIFT could mean either the left or right shift key) will map to the left key.
    
    Parameters:
    
    keycode - Key to release (e.g. KeyEvent.VK_A)
    
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if keycode is not a valid key
    
    See Also:
    
    keyPress(int), KeyEvent
  - getPixelColor
```
public Color getPixelColor(int x,
                           int y)
```
    Returns the color of a pixel at the given screen coordinates.
    If the desktop environment requires that permissions be granted to capture screen content, and the required permissions are not granted, then a SecurityException may be thrown, or the content of the returned Color is undefined.
    
    API Note:
    
    It is recommended to avoid calling this method on the AWT Event Dispatch Thread since screen capture may be a lengthy operation, particularly if acquiring permissions is needed and involves user interaction.
    
    Parameters:
    
    x - X position of pixel
    
    y - Y position of pixel
    
    Returns:
    
    Color of the pixel
    
    Throws:
    
    SecurityException - if readDisplayPixels permission is not granted, or access to the screen is denied by the desktop environment
  - createScreenCapture
```
public BufferedImage createScreenCapture(Rectangle screenRect)
```
    Creates an image containing pixels read from the screen.
    If the desktop environment requires that permissions be granted to capture screen content, and the required permissions are not granted, then a SecurityException may be thrown, or the contents of the returned BufferedImage are undefined.
    
    API Note:
    
    It is recommended to avoid calling this method on the AWT Event Dispatch Thread since screen capture may be a lengthy operation, particularly if acquiring permissions is needed and involves user interaction.
    
    Parameters:
    
    screenRect - Rect to capture in screen coordinates
    
    Returns:
    
    The captured image
    
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if screenRect width and height are not greater than zero
    
    SecurityException - if readDisplayPixels permission is not granted, or access to the screen is denied by the desktop environment
    
    See Also:
    
    SecurityManager.checkPermission(java.security.Permission), AWTPermission
  - isAutoWaitForIdle
```
public boolean isAutoWaitForIdle()
```
    Returns whether this Robot automatically invokes waitForIdle after generating an event.
    
    Returns:
    
    Whether waitForIdle is automatically called
  - setAutoWaitForIdle
```
public void setAutoWaitForIdle(boolean isOn)
```
    Sets whether this Robot automatically invokes waitForIdle after generating an event.
    
    Parameters:
    
    isOn - Whether waitForIdle is automatically invoked
  - getAutoDelay
```
public int getAutoDelay()
```
    Returns the number of milliseconds this Robot sleeps after generating an event.
  - setAutoDelay
```
public void setAutoDelay(int ms)
```
    Sets the number of milliseconds this Robot sleeps after generating an event.
    
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - If ms is not between 0 and 60,000 milliseconds inclusive
  - delay
```
public void delay(int ms)
```
    Sleeps for the specified time. To catch any InterruptedExceptions that occur, Thread.sleep() may be used instead.
    
    Parameters:
    
    ms - time to sleep in milliseconds
    
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if ms is not between 0 and 60,000 milliseconds inclusive
    
    See Also:
    
    Thread.sleep(long)
  - waitForIdle
```
public void waitForIdle()
```
    Waits until all events currently on the event queue have been processed.
    
    Throws:
    
    IllegalThreadStateException - if called on the AWT event dispatching thread
  - toString
```
public String toString()
```
    Returns a string representation of this Robot.
    
    Overrides:
    
    toString in class Object
    
    Returns:
    
    the string representation.

Submit a bug or feature
For further API reference and developer documentation, see Java SE Documentation. That documentation contains more detailed, developer-targeted descriptions, with conceptual overviews, definitions of terms, workarounds, and working code examples.
Copyright © 1993, 2024, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Use is subject to license terms. Also see the documentation redistribution policy.

Class Robot

Constructor Summary

Method Summary

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

Constructor Detail

Robot

Robot

Method Detail

mouseMove

mousePress

mouseRelease

mouseWheel

keyPress

keyRelease

getPixelColor

createScreenCapture

isAutoWaitForIdle

setAutoWaitForIdle

getAutoDelay

setAutoDelay

delay

waitForIdle

toString