_getch, _getwch

Gets a character from the console without echo.

int _getch( void );
wint_t _getwch( 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 the character. 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.

These functions lock the calling thread and are therefore thread-safe. For non-locking versions, see _getch_nolock, _getwch_nolock.

Generic-Text Routine Mappings

Tchar.h routine

_UNICODE and _MBCS not defined

_MBCS defined

_UNICODE defined

_gettch

_getch

_getch

_getwch

Requirements

Routine

Required header

_getch

<conio.h>

_getwch

<conio.h> or <wchar.h>

For more compatibility information, see Compatibility in the Introduction.

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  
}

abcdeyType 'Y' when finished typing keys: Y

NET Framework Equivalent

Not applicable. To call the standard C function, use PInvoke. For more information, see Platform Invoke Examples.

See Also

Reference

Console and Port I/O

_getche, _getwche

_cgets, _cgetws

getc, getwc

_ungetch, _ungetwch, _ungetch_nolock, _ungetwch_nolock