scanf converts formatted input on standard input [v_1, ..., v_n] = scanf(format); format a character string: specifies the format conversion. v_1, ..., v_n converted results. The scanf function gets character data on standard input (%io(1)), interprets it according to a format, and returns the converted results v_1, ..., v_n. The format parameter contains conversion specifications used to interpret the input. The format parameter can contain white-space characters (blanks, tabs, newline, or formfeed) that, except in the following two cases, read the input up to the next nonwhite-space character. Unless there is a match in the control string, trailing white-space (including a newline character) is not read. Any character except % (percent sign), which must match the next character of the input stream. A conversion specification that directs the conversion of the next input field. See scanf_conversion for details. read mfscanf scanf_conversion