getchar() in C: Reading Character Input

getchar() reads the next byte from standard input and returns it as an int. Using int is important because the function must also be able to return the special value EOF.

Syntax Top ↑

int ch = getchar();

Read and Display One Character Top ↑

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    int ch;

    printf("Enter one character: ");
    ch = getchar();

    if (ch == EOF) {
        printf("No input available.\n");
        return 1;
    }

    printf("You entered: %c\n", ch);
    return 0;
}

Use getchar() with a Condition Top ↑

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    int answer;

    printf("Do you like C programming? Press Y or N: ");
    answer = getchar();

    if (answer == 'Y' || answer == 'y') {
        printf("Keep practicing C.\n");
    } else if (answer == 'N' || answer == 'n') {
        printf("Try smaller examples and practice regularly.\n");
    } else {
        printf("Please enter Y or N.\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

Read Characters Until Enter Is Pressed Top ↑

Key change: keep reading until the newline character or end-of-file is reached.

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    int ch;

    printf("Enter text: ");

    while ((ch = getchar()) != '\n' && ch != EOF) {
        printf("Read: %c\n", ch);
    }

    return 0;
}

Copy Standard Input to Standard Output Top ↑

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    int ch;

    while ((ch = getchar()) != EOF) {
        putchar(ch);
    }

    return 0;
}

This classic loop demonstrates why the return value should be stored in an int: a char may not be able to represent every byte value and EOF distinctly.

Preserved Example: Read Until q Is Entered Top ↑

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    int ch;

    printf("Enter characters (q to quit):\n");
    while ((ch = getchar()) != EOF && ch != 'q') {
        printf("You entered: %c\n", ch);
    }

    return 0;
}

Preserved Example: Pause for Enter Top ↑

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    printf("Press Enter to continue...\n");
    (void)getchar();
    printf("Program continued.\n");
    return 0;
}

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

About the author   Watch on YouTube

Connect: