Console.ReadKey Console.ReadLine Console.WriteLine Environment.NewLine while

`Console.Read`

This reads in characters from the console. It returns, as an integer, each value until a zero is reached. This signifies the end of the user's input.

Calling Read

Typically this method should be called in a loop to get all the buffered characters. But usually ReadLine or even ReadKey are better choices.

Example

We look at a console program written in the C# language. It is intended to demonstrate the exact behavior of the Console.Read method when used in a while-loop.

Note When the Read method is first called, it blocks execution waiting for the input to be sent by the terminal window.

Finally It returns when the input is final. Then, you must call it in a loop to read the entire remaining buffer.

Detail The conditional expression here continues until zero is received from Console.Read—this occurs at the end of the input.

Detail The program outputs the integer representation and the character representation of each value in the buffer.

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // This program accepts console input.
        // ... When the enter key is pressed,
        //     the Read method returns the first time.
        // ... Then, each call to Read accesses one
        //     further character from the input.
        int result;
        while ((result = Console.Read()) != 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("{0} = {1}", result, (char)result);
        }
    }
}dotnetperls
100 = d
111 = o
116 = t
110 = n
101 = e
116 = t
112 = p
101 = e
114 = r
108 = l
115 = s
13 =
10 =

Notes, Read

If you just need one character, skip the loop. Read does not return until the input is final and the user presses the enter key.

Tip For most programs that require strings from the terminal, please consider the Console.ReadLine method.

Summary

We applied Console.Read in a program that prints the terminal buffer contents. This method is normally used in a loop in console programs that can accept more than one character.