ReadConsoleInput

The ReadConsoleInput function reads data from a console input buffer and removes it from the buffer.

BOOL ReadConsoleInput(
  HANDLE hConsoleInput,  // handle to a console input buffer
  PINPUT_RECORD lpBuffer,  // address of the buffer for read data
  DWORD nLength,         // number of records to read
  LPDWORD lpNumberOfEventsRead 
                         // address of number of records read
);
 

Parameters

hConsoleInput

Handle to the input buffer. The handle must have GENERIC_READ access.

lpBuffer

Pointer to an INPUT_RECORD buffer that receives the input buffer data.

nLength

Specifies the size, in input records, of the buffer pointed to by the lpBuffer parameter.

lpNumberOfEventsRead

Pointer to a 32-bit variable that receives the number of input records read.

Return Values

If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.

If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.

Remarks

If the number of records requested in the nLength parameter exceeds the number of records available in the buffer, the number available is read. The function does not return until at least one input record has been read.

A process can specify a console input buffer handle in one of the wait functions to determine when there is unread console input. When the input buffer is not empty, the state of a console input buffer handle is signaled.

To determine the number of unread input records in a console's input buffer, use the GetNumberOfConsoleInputEvents function. To read input records from a console input buffer without affecting the number of unread records, use the PeekConsoleInput function. To discard all unread records in a console's input buffer, use the FlushConsoleInputBuffer function.

Windows NT: This function uses either Unicode characters or 8-bit characters from the console's current code page. The console's code page defaults initially to the system's OEM code page. To change the console's code page, use the SetConsoleCP or SetConsoleOutputCP functions, or use the chcp or mode con cp select= commands.

QuickInfo

  Windows NT: Requires version 3.1 or later.
  Windows: Requires Windows 95 or later.
  Windows CE: Unsupported.
  Header: Declared in wincon.h.
  Import Library: Use kernel32.lib.
  Unicode: Implemented as Unicode and ANSI versions on Windows NT.

See Also

Consoles and Character-Mode Support Overview, Console Functions, FlushConsoleInputBuffer, GetNumberOfConsoleInputEvents, INPUT_RECORD, PeekConsoleInput, ReadConsole, ReadFile, SetConsoleCP, SetConsoleOutputCP, WriteConsoleInput