---
name: "getw"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "man-pages"
version: "6.19-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/getw"
---

# getw(3)

input and output of words (ints)

## NAME

getw, putw - input and output of words (ints)

## LIBRARY

Standard C library (*libc*, *-lc*)

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <stdio.h>
```

**int getw(FILE \****stream***);** **int putw(int** *w***, FILE \****stream***);**

Feature Test Macro Requirements for glibc (see [**feature\_test\_macros**(7)](/feature_test_macros/7.md)):

**getw**(), **putw**():

```
    Since glibc 2.3.3:
        _XOPEN_SOURCE && ! (_POSIX_C_SOURCE >= 200112L)
            || /* glibc >= 2.19: */ _DEFAULT_SOURCE
            || /* glibc <= 2.19: */ _BSD_SOURCE || _SVID_SOURCE
    Before glibc 2.3.3:
        _SVID_SOURCE || _BSD_SOURCE || _XOPEN_SOURCE
```

## DESCRIPTION

**getw**() reads a word (that is, an *int*) from *stream*. It's provided for compatibility with SVr4. We recommend you use [**fread**(3)](/fread/3.md) instead.

**putw**() writes the word *w* (that is, an *int*) to *stream*. It is provided for compatibility with SVr4, but we recommend you use [**fwrite**(3)](/fwrite/3.md) instead.

## RETURN VALUE

Normally, **getw**() returns the word read, and **putw**() returns 0. On error, they return **EOF**.

## ATTRIBUTES

For an explanation of the terms used in this section, see [**attributes**(7)](/attributes/7.md).

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Interface** | **Attribute** | **Value** |
| **getw**(), **putw**() | Thread safety | MT-Safe |

## STANDARDS

None.

## HISTORY

SVr4, SUSv2.

## BUGS

The value returned on error is also a legitimate data value. [**ferror**(3)](/ferror/3.md) can be used to distinguish between the two cases.

## SEE ALSO

[**ferror**(3)](/ferror/3.md), [**fread**(3)](/fread/3.md), [**fwrite**(3)](/fwrite/3.md), [**getc**(3)](/getc/3.md), [**putc**(3)](/putc/3.md)