QIO read with timeout

[Alexander Stockdale]

You probably should be using the IO$M_TIMED function modifier in your
QIO call.  I've found that using this modifier and supplying a value of
0 for theime (in parameter P3) works well.  If your input buffer is
only one character long, then this call will empty the type ahead buffer into
the input buffer until a termination condition occurs (i.e. buffer full).  The
net effect is a getchar type of operation.  I've spent a lot of time monkeying
around with QIO to simulate the operation of popular UNIX functions like
getchar(), and it can be a pain.  The best way to approach it is to read the
I/O User's manual, chapter 8 (the terminal driver), very carefully.  Even that
doesn't tell you everything (you can find some interesting and useful modifiers
by reading SYS$LIBRARY:iodef.h).  You don't say much about how your application
works, but you will probably want to check out the use of PASSALL.  I learned
about this from modifying the code to C-Kermit to work under VMS.   Anyway,
hope this helps.
--
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Alexander Stockdale  |   I'm not getting older -- I'm getting bitter.
Vancouver, BC, Canada|                      - me (as far as I know)