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Single Character Input and Output using getch(), getche(), getchar(), putchar() and putch()

C - getch() Function

This function is used to get (read) single character from standard input device (keyboard) without echoing i.e. it does not display the input character & it does not require [return] key after input. getch() is declared in conio.h header file.

/*Compatible for TurboC compiler  */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

int main()
{	
	char ch;
	
	printf("Enter a character :");
	ch=getch();
	
	printf("\nEntered character is : %c",ch);
	return 0;
}

Output

Enter a character:
Entered character is: G

Here, input character is G, which is not display while giving input.

C - getche() Function

This function is used to get (read) single character from standard input device (keyboard) with echoing i.e. it displays the input character & it does not require [return] key after input. getche() is declared in conio.h header file.

/*Compatible for TurboC compiler  */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

int main()
{
	char ch;
	printf("Enter a character :");

	ch=getche();
	printf("\nEntered character is : %c",ch);

	return 0;
}

Output

Enter a character: G
Entered character is: G

Here, input character is G, which displays character while giving input and does not require [return] after pressing ‘G’.

C - getchar() Function

This function is used to get (read) single character from standard input device (keyboard) with echoing i.e. it displays the input character & require [return] key after input. getchar() is declared in stdio.h header file.

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
	char ch;

	printf("Enter a character :");
	ch=getchar();
	printf("\nEntered character is : %c",ch);

	return 0;
}

Output

Enter a character: G
Entered character is: G

Here, input character is G, which displays character while giving input and after pressing [return] key, program’s execution will move to next statement.

C - putchar() and putch() Functions

These functions are used to put (print) a single character on standard output device (monitor).

#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
	char ch;

	printf("Enter a character :");
	ch=getchar();
	printf("\nEntered character is :");
	putchar(ch);

	return 0;
}

Output

Enter a character: G
Entered character is: G