std::cin >> std::noskipws ;
char ch ; 
std::cin >> ch ;
if( ch == '\t' ) /* ... */ ;// tab
else /* ... */ ; // something else

#include <ncurses.h> // or <curses.h>
int main()
{
    initscr() ; // must be called first
    cbreak() // disable the buffering
     // required to get a character immediately
     // without waiting for return key.
 
    noecho();   // only if u want to suppress 
      // echo of input keys
  
     keypad(stdscr, TRUE);   // only if u want
     // to read special keys (delete,arrow keys etc.)

     // to read a character, use
     int getch(void) ; 
    // normally getch waits till a 
    // key is hit. to work in a 
    // nonblocking manner, call
   // nodelay(stdscr,   TRUE) ;
   // in this case getch will return 
   // ERR if key input is   not available.
 
    endwin() // must be called before exiting
    // to restore the terminal settings.
   
   return 0 ;
}