How to hide/mask user input in C++ console applications

[CaptainKahuna]

My program has a password field, and I need to know how to hide or mask the users password as he types it in. I would be fine with using "*"s, or simply not displaying anything as he types. Thanks.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

up

 

[HJB417]

I think you might need to use conio.h, I've never used the library before but quickly looking at the functions names, I think getch might do the job. getch gets a character from console but does not echo to the screen

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: HJB417
I think you might need to use conio.h, I've never used the library before but quickly looking at the functions names, I think getch might do the job. getch gets a character from console but does not echo to the screen

Correct!!

 

[CaptainKahuna]

How would I use it to get an string instead of just a char? Use a for loop?

 

[HJB417]

have it loop getch until it recieves 13 which is what pressing "Enter" returns. And whenever it doesn't return a 13, output a * or something, if you want, to show that the user it entering the password.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

that 13 is an int right? Does getch() return chars or their int equivalents?

 

[EagleKeeper]

You get a character which is a hex code.

 

[HJB417]

well, the ASCII code returned when you press "Enter" is 13

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: HJB417
well, the ASCII code returned when you press "Enter" is 13

0x0D

Depends on how many fingers you use to couint with

 

[thatbox]

Youd have to use character arrays and a do...while (to make it stop once enter is, er, entered) with getch(). And although I don't know much about it, theres also a getchar() that uses a different library file, but I dont remember it. How can you not love working with character arrays!?

 

[HJB417]

you don't need to use char arrays, you could use the string class's append function or +=