beginning serial robot control help

thanks Paul. however, I don't know how to program in processing,so I'm a little lost here... :~ this is what I don't quite understand.

Have you installed Processing? Have you looked at the zillions of examples? File + Examples... + Basics + Input + Keyboard, for instance.

yes. this doesn't demonstrate use of arrow keys, though.

Modify that to print the index of the key that was pressed. Then, when all you see is a ? for the arrow keys, select the function name (keyPressed) and select Find in Reference on the help menu.
Look at the related links. keyCode, for instance. Print the keyCode, instead of the key.

this is exactly what i don't understand how to do. I guess I'm not as good with processing as i thought XD

What code was that?

the examples in processing. should have been more clear here. thanks.