Directives
OBTAIN Get Hidden Terminal Input
   
Format OBTAIN (chan[,fileopt])varlist

Where:

chan Channel or logical file number of the file from which to get terminal input.
fileopt Supported file options (see also, File Options):
BSY=stmtref Traps Error #0: (Input timeout)
ERR=stmtref Error transfer
HLP=string$ Help message identifier
IND=num Position cursor to specified column number.
LEN=num Limit on input size
SIZ=num Number of characters to read (number of screen columns)
TBL=stmtref Data translation table
TIM=num Maximum time-out value in integer seconds.
stmtref Program line number or statement label to which to transfer control.
  When screen positions are tight, you can combine the LEN= and SIZ= options to have ProvideX supply a scrolling input field. For example, to allow a user to enter 60 characters in a field where you only have room for 30 on the screen:

INPUT (0,LEN=60,SIZ=30)"Name....:",N$
varlist Comma-separated list of variables, literals, Mnemonics, IOL= options, and/or location functions '@(...)'. Include Format Masks to filter data being received.
   
Description Use the OBTAIN directive to issue prompts to terminal devices and to process responses (the user's input). The file reference should be to a terminal, but you can use an indexed file. If you include literals or expressions in this directive, ProvideX treats them as prompts for the user.

You can include format masks, as in A$=STR(.01:"0.00"). If you omit the format mask for a numeric in the OBTAIN statement, 'DP' Decimal Point Symbol and 'TH' Thousands Separator system parameters are ignored for European decimal settings.

*Note* OBTAIN performs in the same way as the INPUT directive except that the user's input is not echoed on the screen. This can be useful for such applications as passwords.
   
See Also ACCEPT Read Single Keystroke
INPUT Get Input from Terminal
'ME' Mnemonic
'BI' Mnemonic
Data Format Masks
   
Example

0010 OBTAIN 'CS',@(5,5),"Enter your password:",C$
-:RUN
Enter your password:|

The password, "TEST" in this example, is not echoed, but C$ will return the value.

-:?C$ TEST