Arrow-controlled movement in console with ncurses and Python

almost_roguelike.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

import curses


SHIFTS = {
    curses.KEY_LEFT: (0, -1),
    curses.KEY_UP: (-1, 0),
    curses.KEY_RIGHT: (0, 1),
    curses.KEY_DOWN: (1, 0),
}


def main():
    curses.wrapper(loop)


def loop(stdscr):
    x, y = 0, 0
    stdscr.addstr(x, y, 'X')

    curses.curs_set(0)  # invisible cursor
    while True:
        c = stdscr.getch()
        if c == ord('q'):   break

        stdscr.addstr(x, y, ' ')
        dx, dy = SHIFTS.get(c, (0, 0))
        x += dx ; y += dy
        stdscr.addstr(x, y, 'X')


if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()