[java] How to use KeyListener

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/uiswing/events/keylistener.html Check this tutorial

If it's a UI based application , then " I also need to know what I need to add to my code so that my program waits about 700 milliseconds for a keyinput before moving on to another method" you can use GlassPane or Timer class to fulfill the requirement.

For key Event:

public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e) {

    int key = e.getKeyCode();

    if (key == KeyEvent.VK_LEFT) {
        dx = -1;
    }

    if (key == KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT) {
        dx = 1;
    }

    if (key == KeyEvent.VK_UP) {
        dy = -1;
    }

    if (key == KeyEvent.VK_DOWN) {
        dy = 1;
    }
}

check this game example http://zetcode.com/tutorials/javagamestutorial/movingsprites/