ReadConsoleOutputCharacer API

[Stefano Camaiani]

Hello, it's strange but in the web there are not (or i found not)
explanation on howto use ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter from C# or Vb.Net....
Very much articles, but not one word of this particular API and also
ReadConsoleOutp ut too....

May be of this API is disabled on those new Languages?

Regards.
Stefano.

[Jon Skeet [C# MVP]]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Stefano Camaiani <stefano@subson ic.it> wrote:[color=blue]
> Hello, it's strange but in the web there are not (or i found not)
> explanation on howto use ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter from C# or Vb.Net....
> Very much articles, but not one word of this particular API and also
> ReadConsoleOutp ut too....
>
> May be of this API is disabled on those new Languages?[/color]

It's a Win32 API, not part of the .NET framework. It's not that it's so
much "disabled" - it's just not part of the framework. You could use
P/Invoke, of course, but I think there are other .NET console APIs out
there which may well be easier to use.

--
Jon Skeet - <skeet@pobox.co m>

http://www.pobox.com/~skeet

If replying to the group, please do not mail me too

[Stefano Camaiani]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Thanks Jon, i will reply to you here too...
I understand you, but why all other API related are supported then?
First: Sorry for my bad english, i'm Italian...
Here some APIs Console related wich i'm able tu use with Vb.Net and C#:
SetConsoleTextA ttribute

GetStdHandle

SetConsoleCurso rInfo

GetConsoleMode

SetConsoleMode

SetConsoleTitle A

GetConsoleTitle A

GetConsoleScree nBufferInfo

SetConsoleCurso rPosition

SetConsoleTextA ttribute

FillConsoleOutp utCharacter

FillConsoleOutp utAttribute

SetConsoleCurso rPosition

SetConsoleCurso rInfo

ReadConsole

Then why if those APIs are not part of framework they works well?

Regards.

Stefano...


"Jon Skeet [C# MVP]" <skeet@pobox.co m> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:MPG.19ebac ccda6340a89897f 6@msnews.micros oft.com...[color=blue]
> Stefano Camaiani <stefano@subson ic.it> wrote:[color=green]
> > Hello, it's strange but in the web there are not (or i found not)
> > explanation on howto use ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter from C# or[/color][/color]
Vb.Net....[color=blue][color=green]
> > Very much articles, but not one word of this particular API and also
> > ReadConsoleOutp ut too....
> >
> > May be of this API is disabled on those new Languages?[/color]
>
> It's a Win32 API, not part of the .NET framework. It's not that it's so
> much "disabled" - it's just not part of the framework. You could use
> P/Invoke, of course, but I think there are other .NET console APIs out
> there which may well be easier to use.
>
> --
> Jon Skeet - <skeet@pobox.co m>
> http://www.pobox.com/~skeet
> If replying to the group, please do not mail me too[/color]

[Jon Skeet [C# MVP]]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Stefano Camaiani <stefano@subson ic.it> wrote:[color=blue]
> Thanks Jon, i will reply to you here too...
> I understand you, but why all other API related are supported then?[/color]

Um, they're not, as far as I can see...
[color=blue]
> First: Sorry for my bad english, i'm Italian...
> Here some APIs Console related wich i'm able tu use with Vb.Net and C#:
> SetConsoleTextA ttribute[/color]

Which class is that in? It doesn't appear in the MSDN index when I have
the Visual C# filter on.

<snip>
[color=blue]
> Then why if those APIs are not part of framework they works well?[/color]

Could you give a small sample program that shows them being used?

--
Jon Skeet - <skeet@pobox.co m>

http://www.pobox.com/~skeet

If replying to the group, please do not mail me too

[Stefano Camaiani]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Well, then i'm really unhappy of Microsoft has NOT released a Visual
Basic version _NOT_ Framework... :(

I love Visual Basic, but i really need this API to continue my Job.....
Why? Because the standard Console functions of Visual Basic.Net and c#
are not able to handle my problem...

Then i will need to continue to use VB6 forever?

Please, if you know some other useful APIs to get Console Output Buffer,
before a shelled application end, and before some data buffer has full
filled the StandardOutput PIPE buffer, then please let me know.....


Regards.

Stefano.


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[Michael A. Covington]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API


"Stefano Camaiani" <stefano@subson ic.it> wrote in message
news:OnuvMlEjDH A.556@TK2MSFTNG P11.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Well, then i'm really unhappy of Microsoft has NOT released a Visual
> Basic version _NOT_ Framework... :(
>
> I love Visual Basic, but i really need this API to continue my Job.....
> Why? Because the standard Console functions of Visual Basic.Net and c#
> are not able to handle my problem...
>
> Then i will need to continue to use VB6 forever?[/color]

No; you can call Win32 routines such as this one by using PInvoke.

[Stefano Camaiani]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Well, thanks again, but while the use of PInvoke should be really easy for
you, but i'm not able to create the code alone and a one i already created
does not work, then i suppose of those APIs are not supported by the new
programming languages...:(
There are some useful codes for Vb.Net and for C# about console:
Vb.Net = http://www.allapi.net/classlib/class.php?id=4
C# =

http://www.gotdotnet.com/Community/UserSamples/Details.aspx?SampleGuid=b76d1f08-2d79-47bd-825b-0489938aae0f

"Michael A. Covington" <look@www.covin gtoninnovations .com.for.addres s> ha
scritto nel messaggio news:eqcYrJHjDH A.3212@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
>
> "Stefano Camaiani" <stefano@subson ic.it> wrote in message
> news:OnuvMlEjDH A.556@TK2MSFTNG P11.phx.gbl...[color=green]
> > Well, then i'm really unhappy of Microsoft has NOT released a Visual
> > Basic version _NOT_ Framework... :(
> >
> > I love Visual Basic, but i really need this API to continue my Job.....
> > Why? Because the standard Console functions of Visual Basic.Net and c#
> > are not able to handle my problem...
> >
> > Then i will need to continue to use VB6 forever?[/color]
>
> No; you can call Win32 routines such as this one by using PInvoke.
>
>[/color]

[Mattias Sjögren]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Stefano,
[color=blue]
>and a one i already created does not work[/color]

Why don't you post your code here then, so we can help you find the
problem?



Mattias

--
Mattias Sjögren [MVP] mattias @ mvps.org

http://www.msjogren.net/dotnet/

Please reply only to the newsgroup.

[Stefano Camaiani]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API


Well, first: Thanks... Second: Sorry for my bad english...

Ok, i worked on 2 existing class i found in the Web.
Vb.Net = http://www.allapi.net/classlib/class.php?id=4
C# =

http://www.gotdotnet.com/Community/UserSamples/Details.aspx?SampleGuid=b

76d1f08-2d79-47bd-825b-0489938aae0f

I tried to implement ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter and also
ReadConsoleOutp ut on it without success....

This is my code for Vb.Net:
Api declarations:

<DllImport("KER NEL32.DLL",
EntryPoint:="Re adConsoleOutput CharacterA", CharSet:=CharSe t.Ansi,
SetLastError:=T rue, ExactSpelling:= True,
CallingConventi on:=CallingConv ention.StdCall) > _
Private Shared Function ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter(ByV al
hConsoleOutput As Integer, ByVal lpCharacter As String, ByVal nLenght As
Integer, ByVal dwCursorPositio n As COORD, ByVal lpNumberOfChars Read As
Integer) As Integer
End Function

<DllImport("KER NEL32.DLL", EntryPoint:="Re adConsoleOutput A",
CharSet:=CharSe t.Ansi, SetLastError:=F alse, ExactSpelling:= True,
CallingConventi on:=CallingConv ention.StdCall) > _
Private Shared Function ReadConsoleOutp ut(ByVal hConsoleOutput As
Integer, ByVal lpCharacter As CHAR_INFO, ByVal dwBufferSize As COORD,
ByVal dwBufferCoord As COORD, ByVal lpReadRegion As SMALL_RECT) As
Integer
End Function

and my code is:
Public Shared Property OutputS() As String
Get
Dim NumberOfCharRea d As Integer
Dim ConsoleInfo As CONSOLE_SCREEN_ BUFFER_INFO
Dim CaptureStart As Integer
Dim NrOfVisibleChar s As Integer
With ConsoleInfo.srW indow
NrOfVisibleChar s = (ConsoleAttribu tes.WindowHeigh t *
ConsoleAttribut es.WindowWidth) 'Calculate area to capture
End With
'MsgBox(NrOfVis ibleChars)
Dim crd As COORD
crd.x = 1
crd.y = 1
Dim sb3 As New String(" ", 256)
GetConsoleScree nBufferInfo(Get StdHandle(STD_O UTPUT_HANDLE),
MyScreenBufferI nfo)
CaptureStart = ConsoleInfo.srW indow.Left Or
(ConsoleInfo.sr Window.Top * &H10000)
'CaptureStart = MyScreenBufferI nfo.srWindow.To p * &H10000
'CaptureStart = 1048576
'CaptureStart = 1

MsgBox(MyScreen BufferInfo.wAtt ributes.ToStrin g)
ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter(Get StdHandle(STD_O UTPUT_HANDLE),
sb3, NrOfVisibleChar s, crd, NumberOfCharRea d)
'MsgBox(NumberO fCharRead)
Return sb3
End Get
Set(ByVal Value As String)
End Set
End Property

Public Shared Property GetConsoleOutpu tS() As String
Get
Dim CharacterInfo As CHAR_INFO
Dim crd1 As COORD
crd1.x = 10
crd1.y = 10
Dim crd2 As COORD
crd2.x = 20
crd2.y = 20
Dim Coordinates As SMALL_RECT
Coordinates.Top = 1
Coordinates.Bot tom = 10
Coordinates.Lef t = 1
Coordinates.Rig ht = 10
'MsgBox(NrOfVis ibleChars)
ReadConsoleOutp ut(GetStdHandle (STD_OUTPUT_HAN DLE),
CharacterInfo, crd2, crd1, Coordinates)
MsgBox(Len(Char acterInfo))
Return CharacterInfo.C har1.ToString
End Get
Set(ByVal Value As String)
End Set
End Property
*************** *************** *************** *************** ************
*************** *************** *************** *************** ************
*************** *************** ***
This is my Api Declaration on c#
[DllImport("kern el32.dll", EntryPoint="Rea dConsoleOutputC haracterA",
SetLastError=tr ue,
CharSet=CharSet .Auto, CallingConventi on=CallingConve ntion.StdCall)]
private static extern bool ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter(int
hConsoleInput,
StringBuilder buf, int nNumberOfCharsT oRead, COORD dwReadCoord, ref
int lpNumberOfChars Read);


and this is my code:
public static string ReadChar2()
{
// Temporarily disable character echo (ENABLE_ECHO_IN PUT) and line
input
// (ENABLE_LINE_IN PUT) during this operation
SetConsoleMode( hConsoleInput,
(int) (InputModeFlags .ENABLE_PROCESS ED_INPUT |
InputModeFlags. ENABLE_WINDOW_I NPUT |
InputModeFlags. ENABLE_MOUSE_IN PUT));

int lpNumberOfChars Read = 0;
//StringBuilder buf = new StringBuilder(1 );
StringBuilder buf = new StringBuilder(1 00);

COORD c = new COORD();
c.x = (short)1;
c.y = (short)1;
bool success = ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter(hCo nsoleInput, buf, 5, c,
ref lpNumberOfChars Read);

// Reenable character echo and line input
SetConsoleMode( hConsoleInput,
(int) (InputModeFlags .ENABLE_PROCESS ED_INPUT |
InputModeFlags. ENABLE_ECHO_INP UT |
InputModeFlags. ENABLE_LINE_INP UT |
InputModeFlags. ENABLE_WINDOW_I NPUT |
InputModeFlags. ENABLE_MOUSE_IN PUT));

if (success)
return buf.ToString();
else
throw new ApplicationExce ption("Attempt to call ReadConsole API
failed.");
}
'************** *************** *************** *************** ************
*************** *************** *************** *************** ************
*************** *************** ***

If you would like i have also the VB 6.0 code wich work great with only
few lines of code:


Dim ConsoleInfo As CONSOLE_SCREEN_ BUFFER_INFO
Dim ConsoleText As String
Dim NrOfVisibleChar s As Long
Dim NrOfCharsRead As Long
Dim CaptureStart As Long

' Execute DOS command, the command will now use the previously
allocated console window

'Any shell here.....

StdOut = GetStdHandle(ST D_OUTPUT_HANDLE ) ' Get a handle to Std_out
'MsgBox (StdOut)
GetConsoleScree nBufferInfo StdOut, ConsoleInfo ' Get info about the
console window, such as width and height
With ConsoleInfo.srW indow
NrOfVisibleChar s = (.Bottom - .Top) * (.Right - .Left) ' Calculate
area to capture
End With

ConsoleText = String(NrOfVisi bleChars, vbNullChar) ' Reserve space for
captured text

' This is a little trick that has to be done in order to be able to pass
the X and Y coordinates to ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter
' They should really be passsed as a COORD structure, but VB won't allow
user defined types to be passed by value...
CaptureStart = ConsoleInfo.srW indow.Left Or (ConsoleInfo.sr Window.Top *
&H10000)
MsgBox CaptureStart
ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter StdOut, ConsoleText, NrOfVisibleChar s,
CaptureStart, NrOfCharsRead ' Get all visible text in the console
window

ConsoleText = Left(ConsoleTex t, NrOfCharsRead) ' Trim results

Text1.Text = ConsoleText

'************** *************** *************** *************** ************
*************** *************** *************** *************** ************
*************** *************** ***

Here is it.....
Why i need those APIs? Because i only must read an Output of a command
line tools....but i should not use the standard redirections because
they show me the output buffer only when the command line tool has
exited or if the PIPE buffer is full....too slow for me...i need to get
the output immediately...

I will very thanks you very very very much if you should give me a
way....
Note: Visual C++.net is able to use both ReadConsoleOutp ut and
ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter APIs.....(windo ws.h)...If you would like i
should post it too.....

Please don't lose too much time on searching for my problem. because
ithink of VB.Net and C# should not use those APIs.....





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[Stefano Camaiani]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Well,
i surrender....
But i have created a Visual C++ 7.0 console wich do this work for me....
Thanks to all...



"Stefano Camaiani" <stefano@subson ic.it> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:emLHbMCjDH A.3340@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Hello, it's strange but in the web there are not (or i found not)
> explanation on howto use ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter from C# or Vb.Net....
> Very much articles, but not one word of this particular API and also
> ReadConsoleOutp ut too....
>
> May be of this API is disabled on those new Languages?
>
> Regards.
> Stefano.
>
>[/color]

[Mattias Sjögren]

Re: ReadConsoleOutp utCharacer API

Stefano,
[color=blue]
> <DllImport("KER NEL32.DLL",
>EntryPoint:="R eadConsoleOutpu tCharacterA", CharSet:=CharSe t.Ansi,
>SetLastError:= True, ExactSpelling:= True,
>CallingConvent ion:=CallingCon vention.StdCall )> _
> Private Shared Function ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter(ByV al
>hConsoleOutp ut As Integer, ByVal lpCharacter As String, ByVal nLenght As
>Integer, ByVal dwCursorPositio n As COORD, ByVal lpNumberOfChars Read As
>Integer) As Integer
> End Function[/color]

Should be

<DllImport("KER NEL32.DLL", CharSet:=CharSe t.Auto, SetLastError:=T rue)>
_
Private Shared Function ReadConsoleOutp utCharacter(ByV al
hConsoleOutput As IntPtr, ByVal lpCharacter As StringBuilder, ByVal
nLenght As Integer, ByVal dwCursorPositio n As COORD, ByRef
lpNumberOfChars Read As Integer) As Boolean
End Function

[color=blue]
> <DllImport("KER NEL32.DLL", EntryPoint:="Re adConsoleOutput A",
>CharSet:=CharS et.Ansi, SetLastError:=F alse, ExactSpelling:= True,
>CallingConvent ion:=CallingCon vention.StdCall )> _
> Private Shared Function ReadConsoleOutp ut(ByVal hConsoleOutput As
>Integer, ByVal lpCharacter As CHAR_INFO, ByVal dwBufferSize As COORD,
>ByVal dwBufferCoord As COORD, ByVal lpReadRegion As SMALL_RECT) As
>Integer
> End Function[/color]

<DllImport("KER NEL32.DLL", CharSet:=CharSe t.Auto)> _
Private Shared Function ReadConsoleOutp ut(ByVal hConsoleOutput As
IntPtr, <[In], Out> ByVal lpCharacter() As CHAR_INFO, ByVal
dwBufferSize As COORD, ByVal dwBufferCoord As COORD, ByRef
lpReadRegion As SMALL_RECT) As Boolean
End Function



Mattias

--
Mattias Sjögren [MVP] mattias @ mvps.org

http://www.msjogren.net/dotnet/

Please reply only to the newsgroup.