[open] Keystroke speed

ashtopher

Hi everyone, I am just getting started with OpenSesame for my undergrad project. But I feel a bit daunted by it.

I want to create a block where the user types text, and the program times the keypress between keys and saves the mean speed into the csv file.

I have knowledge with VB.NET/C# and Python seems simple enough. But I don't know where to start, can someone push me in the right direction?

import time
start_time = time.time()`
user_input = raw_input("")
stop_time = time.time()
chars_per_s = len(user_input) / (stop_time - start_time)
print "you typed at %.4f characters per second" % chars_per_s

Edwin

Hi,

Welcome to the forum! As a general tip: you can find information on Python inline scripting on the Documentation Page.

The following script should allow users to type, and calculate the average typing speed:

import copy
from openexp.canvas import canvas
from openexp.keyboard import keyboard

allowed = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz.,'

my_kb = keyboard(exp)
my_canvas = canvas(exp)
my_canvas.clear()
my_canvas.show()

t0 = None
stop = False
my_string = ""
while not stop:
    # get keypress
    key, t1 = my_kb.get_key(timeout=None)
    # save timestamp of first input
    if t0 == None:
        t0 = copy.copy(t1)
    # handle input
    if key.lower() in allowed:
        my_string += key
    elif key == 'space':
        my_string += " "
    elif key in ['enter','return']:
        stop = True
    # update display
    my_canvas.clear()
    my_canvas.text(my_string)
    my_canvas.show()

# calculate time
if t1 == t0:
    speed = "NOTHING (only one keystroke, no timing info)"
else:
    speed = len(my_string) / ((t1-t0)/1000.0)

# display speed
my_canvas.clear()
my_canvas.text("Your speed was %.2f keystrokes per second" % speed)
my_canvas.show()

# wait for a spacepress
my_kb.get_key(keylist=['space'], timeout=None)

# save the speed and the string
exp.set("response", my_string)
exp.set("typespeed", speed)

Now, in your logger save the variables response and typespeed (you might have to manually add those) In other experiment items, simply refer to [typespeed] if you want to use its value.

Good luck!