[ Type code = @ ] Works as a "fast" field to return the first n characters typed (where n is the value of xmin) , whether control characters or not. The only character you cannot retrieve this way is Ctrl+C. (You can trap that with "ON ERROR GOTO" or by using the V code.) Ordinarily you should specify a minimum of 0 or 1 for this to return a single control character properly. Also note that this code over-rides all other codes (where conflicting). See codes C and <.

Note that function keys will only return the first byte of the sequence (typically ASCII 7). However, as of A-Shell 5.1.1115.4 of 6 June 08, they will also set the exitcode parameter as expected for other field types.