====== INPUT ======

Syntax:

  input <string pointer destination>, <byte max_length> [,<string mask>]
  
The ''INPUT'' command calls a built-in routine that allows the user to input a string using the keyboard. The user input will be limited to //max_length// characters. After the user has pressed the ''RETURN'' key, the input will be copied to the string pointed by //destination//.

  * If the //mask// argument is provided, the user will be limited to enter characters that are present in the mask.
  * If no mask is provided, the default mask will be applied, which is PETSCII chars $20-$5F, $A0-$DF and $FF, inclusive. This means that only alphanumeric chars, signs and graphic symbols are allowed, control characters are disallowed. Please refer to the [[http://sta.c64.org/cbm64pet.html|PETSCII table]] for more information

No prompt string (e. g. ''?'' in CBM BASIC) is displayed. Line editing features are limited to the ''DELETE'' button, moving the cursor is not allowed.

**Warning:** the buffer that the string pointer points to must be wide enough to accept the user input, otherwise buffer overflow will occur!

Examples:

  rem -- initialize a buffer first
  dim buff![21]
  name$ = @buff!
  rem -- input any string, max 20 chars and store it to name$
  input name$, 20
  
  rem -- input a numeric string, max 6 chars
  rem -- assume a buffer has been initialized
  input num$, 6, "0123456789-"
  
  rem --input a string, allowing alphanumeric chars only
  rem -- assume a buffer has been initialized
  input a$, 10, "0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxzy"

**Note**: to convert a string to a numeric type, use the ''[[VAL|VAL()]]'' function.

**//This command has been completely rewritten since version 2.0 and is incompatible with that of version 1.x.//**