on Character event

def OnChar(self, event):
        """ on Character event"""
        key   = event.GetKeyCode()
        entry = wx.TextCtrl.GetValue(self).strip()
        pos   = wx.TextCtrl.GetSelection(self)
        # really, the order here is important:
        # 1. return sends to ValidateEntry
        if key == wx.WXK_RETURN:
            if not self.is_valid:
                wx.TextCtrl.SetValue(self, self.format % set_float(self.__bound_val))
            else:
                self.SetValue(entry)
            return

        # 2. other non-text characters are passed without change
        if (key < wx.WXK_SPACE or key == wx.WXK_DELETE or key > 255):
            event.Skip()
            return

        # 3. check for multiple '.' and out of place '-' signs and ignore these
        #    note that chr(key) will now work due to return at #2

        has_minus = '-' in entry
        ckey = chr(key)
        if ((ckey == '.' and (self.__prec == 0 or '.' in entry) ) or
            (ckey == '-' and (has_minus or  pos[0] != 0)) or
            (ckey != '-' and  has_minus and pos[0] == 0)):
            return
        # 4. allow digits, but not other characters
        if chr(key) in self.__digits:
            event.Skip()