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getch in C

Function getch in C program prompts a user to press a character. It doesn't show up on the screen. Its declaration is in "conio.h" header file. The function is not a part of standard C library.

C programming code for getch

#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

int main()
{
   printf("Waiting for a character to be pressed from the keyboard to exit.\n");

   getch();
   return 0;
}

When you run this program, it exits only when you press a character. Try pressing num lock, shift key, etc. (program will not exit if you press these keys) as these are not characters.

Try running the program by removing getch. In this case, it will exit without waiting for a character hit from the keyboard.

How to use getch in C++

#include <iostream.h>
#include <conio.h>

int main()
{
   cout << "Enter a character";
   getch();
}

Using getch in Dev C++ compiler

Function getch works in Dev C++ compiler but it doesn't support all functions of "conio.h" as Turbo C compiler does.

Function getchar in C

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
   int c;
   
   c = getchar();
   
   putchar(c);
   
   return 0;
}

A common use of getch is you can view the output (if any) of a program without having to open the output window if you are using Turbo C compiler or if you are not running your program from the command prompt.