_getch, _getche

Get a character from the console without echo (_getch) or with echo (_getche).

int_getch(void);

int_getche(void);

For additional compatibility information, see Compatibility in the Introduction.

Libraries

Return Value

Both _getch and _getche return the character read. There is no error return.

Remarks

The _getch function reads a single character from the console without echoing. _getche reads a single character from the console and echoes the character read. Neither function can be used to read CTRL+C. When reading a function key or an arrow key, _getch and _getche must be called twice; the first call returns 0 or 0xE0, and the second call returns the actual key code.

Example

/* GETCH.C: This program reads characters from
 * the keyboard until it receives a 'Y' or 'y'.
 */

#include <conio.h>
#include <ctype.h>

void main( void )
{
   int ch;

   _cputs( "Type 'Y' when finished typing keys: " );
   do
   {
      ch = _getch();
      ch = toupper( ch );
   } while( ch != 'Y' );

   _putch( ch );
   _putch( '\r' );    /* Carriage return */
   _putch( '\n' );    /* Line feed       */
}

Output

Type 'Y' when finished typing keys: Y

Console and Port I/O Routines

See Also   _cgets, getc, _ungetch