Returns the decimal ASCII code representing the character read from the keyboard input buffer or from an open file
Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac OS
(read-char [file-desc])
Type: File
A file descriptor (obtained from open) referring to an open file. If no file-desc is specified, read-char obtains input from the keyboard input buffer.
Type: Integer
ASCII code for a character. The read-char function returns a single newline character (ASCII code 10) whenever it detects an end-of-line character or character sequence.
The following example omits file-desc, so read-char looks for data in the keyboard buffer:
(read-char)
The keyboard buffer is empty, so read-char waits for user input:
ABC 65
The user entered ABC; read-char returned the ASCII code representing the first character entered (A). The next three calls to read-char return the data remaining in the keyboard input buffer. This data translates to 66 (the ASCII code for the letter B), 67 (C), and 10 (newline), respectively:
(read-char) 66 (read-char) 67 (read-char) 10
With the keyboard input buffer now empty, read-char waits for user input the next time it is called:
(read-char)