# readshort ``` read 2 bytes from file handle - file handle mostfirst - 0 least significant byte is first (intel) 1 most significant byte is first returns: -1 - error otherwise: a 16-bit value Thread-safe function. long readshort(long handle, long mostfirst); ``` --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.hex-rays.com/9.0/developer-guide/idc/idc-api-reference/alphabetical-list-of-idc-functions/324.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.