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_getch, _getwch, _getche, _getwche

Visual Studio .NET 2003

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

int _getch( void );
wint_t _getwch( void );
int _getche( void );
wint_t _getwche( void );

Return Value

Returns the character read. There is no error return.

Remarks

The _getch and _getwch functions read a single character from the console without echoing. _getche and _getwche read a single character from the console and echo the character read. None of these functions can be used to read CTRL+C. When reading a function key or an arrow key, each function must be called twice; the first call returns 0 or 0xE0, and the second call returns the actual key code.

Generic-Text Routine Mappings

TCHAR.H routine	_UNICODE & _MBCS not defined	_MBCS defined	_UNICODE defined
_gettch	_getch	_getch	_getwch
_gettche	_getche	_getch	_getwche

Requirements

Routine	Required header	Compatibility
_getch	<conio.h>	Win 98, Win Me, Win NT, Win 2000, Win XP
_getche	<conio.h>	Win 98, Win Me, Win NT, Win 2000, Win XP
_getwch	<conio.h> or <wchar.h>	Win 98, Win Me, Win NT, Win 2000, Win XP
_getwche	<conio.h> or <wchar.h>	Win 98, Win Me, Win NT, Win 2000, Win XP

For additional compatibility information, see Compatibility in the Introduction.

Libraries

All versions of the C run-time libraries.

Example

// crt_getch.c
// compile with: /c
/* This program reads characters from
 * the keyboard until it receives a 'Y' or 'y'.
 */

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

int 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       */
}

Input

abcdey

Output

Type 'Y' when finished typing keys: Y