The simplest way to get user input is by using the ReadLine() method of the Console class. It receives the input as a string, therefore you need to convert it. You can also use Read() and ReadKey() methods to get user input.
It reads the next line of input from the standard input stream and returns the same string.
Console.WriteLine("Enter some text...");
var str = Console.ReadLine();
Console.WriteLine("You entered '{0}'", str);
Let's run the above code and you will see the following code.
Enter some text...
Hello, this is a C# Tutorial.
You entered 'Hello, this is a C# Tutorial.'
It reads the next character from the standard input stream and returns the ASCII value of the character. it takes a whole line but only returns the ASCII value of the first character.
Console.WriteLine("Enter some text...");
var str = Console.Read();
Console.WriteLine("ASCII Value = {0}", str);
Let's run the above code and you will see the following code.
Enter some text...
I am learning C#.
ASCII Value = 73
It will print the ASCII value of letter I which is 73.
It obtains the next key pressed by the user, it is usually used to hold the screen until the user press a key.
Console.WriteLine("Press any key to continue...");
var key = Console.ReadKey();
Console.WriteLine("\nYou pressed {0} key.", key.Key);
Let's run the above code and you will see the following code.
Press any key to continue...
c
You pressed C key.
In C#, reading a character or string is very simple but reading numeric values is slightly tricky. The ReadLine() method receives the input as a string, and it needs to be converted into an integer or floating-point type using the methods of Convert class.
Console.WriteLine("Enter an integer...");
string userInputInt = Console.ReadLine();
// Converts to integer type
int intVal = Convert.ToInt32(userInputInt);
Console.WriteLine("You entered {0}", intVal);
Console.WriteLine("Enter a real/double value...");
string userInputDouble = Console.ReadLine();
// Converts to double type
double doubleVal = Convert.ToDouble(userInputDouble);
Console.WriteLine("You entered {0}", doubleVal);
Let's run the above code and you will see the following code.
Enter an integer...
98
You entered 98
Enter a real/double value...
34.5
You entered 34.5
All the examples related to the user input are available in the UserInput.cs file of the source code. Download the source code and try out all the examples for better understanding.