Okay, I have to say that i often use getch() not just to halt the console window.
I used getch() along with kbhit() [to get the key if pressed any]--very important use of getch().
And there are times when I have given the user to choose from a number of options (menu items) and used getch() to get the choice. I know the latter can be done with any input functions but getch() makes it simpler-- scanf(), cin and cin.get() will show the keys as u type in and then u have to press enter, whereas in getch() u just press the key and it's not even shown. getch() also makes things easier as u can enter only one key and there's no chance of receiving any degenerate inputs. On the otherhand it's very common for scanf(), cin and cin.get() to mess up with the inputs when only one keystroke is sufficient and desireable.

i would really love to know if there's any other way to get the functionality of getch()(i.e without using getch()) in the above mentioned cases.