input_getchar

#Input.getchar

##Syntax getchar : char

##Description The getchar function is used to input a single character without waiting for the end of a line. The next character in the keyboard buffer (the oldest not-yet-read character) is returned.

##Example This program contains a procedure called getKey which causes the program to wait until a key is pressed.

    View.Set ("graphics")
    
    procedure getKey
        var ch : char
        ch := getchar
    end getKey
    
    for i : 1 .. 1000
        put i : 4, " Pause till a key is pressed"
        getKey
    end for

##Details The screen should be in a "screen" or "graphics" mode. See the View.Set procedure for details. If the screen is not in one of these modes, it will automatically be set to "screen" mode.

Some keys, such as the left arrow key, insert key, delete key, and function keys do not produce ordinary character values. These keystrokes are returned by getch as special values. See Appendix D for these values.

##Status Exported unqualified.

This means that you can call the function by calling getchar or by calling Input.getchar.

##See also hasch.html (has character) procedure.html which is used to see if a character has been typed but not.html yet read.html.