PyCharm: msvcrt.kbhit() and msvcrt.getch() not working?

Question

I've tried to read one char from the console in PyCharm (without pressing enter), but to no avail. The functions msvcrt.getch() stops the code, but does not react to key presses (even enter), and msvcrt.kbhit() always returns 0. For example this code prints nothing:

import msvcrt
while 1:
    if msvcrt.kbhit():
        print 'reading'
print 'done'

I am using Windows 7, PyCharm 3.4 (the same heppens in idle).

What is wrong? Is there any other way to just read input without enter?

Answer 1

It's possible in a special mode of the Run window.

• Check the Emulate terminal in output console setting checkbox in Run/Debug Configurations

Answer 2

You are trying to compare <Class 'Bytes'> to <Class 'string'>.

Cast the key to a string and then compare:

import msvcrt

while True:
    if msvcrt.kbhit():
        key = str(msvcrt.getch())
        if key == "b'w'":
            print(key)

To run the program in the Command Line go to: edit Configurations > Execution > enable "Emulate terminal in output console".