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From: csx040@cck.cov.ac.uk (Alan Chantler (CS))
Newsgroups: comp.unix.shell
Subject: Re: Clearing the input buffer before a read.
Message-ID: <1990Nov30.092653.14670@cck.cov.ac.uk>
Date: 30 Nov 90 09:26:53 GMT
References: <1990Nov26.001425.15563@massey.ac.nz>
Organization: Coventry Polytechnic, Coventry, UK
Lines: 30

In article <1990Nov26.001425.15563@massey.ac.nz> K.Spagnolo@massey.ac.nz (Ken Spagnolo) writes:
>I have an sh script that asks the user a question and reads
>the answer into a variable in the usual method.  I want to
>be able to flush the input buffer just before the read so
>that any slips or double key bounces get ignored, rather than
>used as the answer.  I realize this disables type ahead, but
>I can live with that.  Anyone know how to do this?

	OK This is not quite the answer that you seek, but it may help.

	Whenever I want a script to read into a variable (say 'fubar')
	then I use:

		read fubar junk

	This will capture any 'extras' into 'junk', which I ignore.

	Of course it doesn't work unless there is whitespace after
	legitimate input, but it can be extended for any number
	of inputs on a line:

		read x y z junk

	etc.

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