The following program demonstrates read( ) by reading characters from the console until the user types a "q":

// Use a BufferedReader to read characters from the console.

import java.io.*;

public class BRRead {
   public static void main(String args[]) throws IOException
   {
      char c;
      // Create a BufferedReader using System.in
      BufferedReader br = new BufferedReader(new 
                         InputStreamReader(System.in));
      System.out.println("Enter characters, 'q' to quit.");
      // read characters
      do {
         c = (char) br.read();
         System.out.println(c);
      } while(c != 'q');
   }
}