Workshop › Breakout › Step 26 of 39

Steer with the arrow keys

What we are doing

Every frame, while an arrow key is held, the paddle moves 7 pixels. Then clamp keeps it on the screen.

```js
if (keys.ArrowLeft) paddle.x -= 7
if (keys.ArrowRight) paddle.x += 7
paddle.x = clamp(paddle.x, 0, canvas.width - PADDLE_W)
```

What it means

• keys.ArrowLeft is true while the left arrow is held; -= 7 subtracts 7.
• A key never pressed gives undefined, which counts as false.
• clamp keeps the paddle between 0 and 400.

Your turn

Write the three lines at the very top of update, above the serve block, followed by an empty line.

Skills: Keyboard and mouse input

← Remember which keys are held Three lives →

All steps

1. The field and the paddle
2. Draw again and again
3. Keep a number inside limits
4. Follow the mouse
5. A canvas shown at another size
6. A ball with a velocity
7. Draw a round ball
8. Move the ball
9. Bounce off the side walls
10. Bounce off the ceiling
11. The open floor
12. Bounce off the paddle
13. Aim with the paddle
14. A row of bricks
15. Draw the bricks
16. A whole wall: a loop inside a loop
17. A color for every row
18. Circle meets box
19. Break a brick
20. Hitting the side of a brick
21. Wait on the paddle
22. Ride along with the paddle
23. Launch the ball
24. Click or press Space
25. Remember which keys are held
26. Steer with the arrow keys
27. Three lives
28. Lives and a hint on screen
29. Game over
30. Keep score
31. Show the score
32. Win the game
33. One function for a new game
34. Play again
35. A burst of particles
36. Break into sparks
37. Move, fall and disappear
38. Fade out
39. Build it yourself: tough bricks