How to get both win32 and command prompt interface in the same application?

**Swarvy** · 11-08-2008

I've made a few games etc using the windows API, but I was wondering, how exactly do you get a win32 interface combined with a command prompt interface in the same application. It seems like a strange question, I know, but I want both part of the same program because, I want to have the flexibility offered by win32, but at the same time use the command prompt box for error output and basic low level command input etc.

How do I get both interfaces to appear in the same application at the same time?

**Codeplug** · 11-08-2008

The easiest thing to do is to create a console application and give it a message pump. Use the Windows API as you normally would.

gg

**nucleon** · 11-08-2008

Look up AllocConsole() on MSDN.

**matsp** · 11-08-2008

Originally Posted by nucleon

Look up AllocConsole() on MSDN.

I found the following when trying to do the same:

Code:

	int hConHandle;
	intptr_t lStdHandle;
	AllocConsole();
	lStdHandle = (intptr_t) GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);

	hConHandle = _open_osfhandle(lStdHandle, _O_TEXT);
	fp = _fdopen( hConHandle, "w" );
	*stdout = *fp;
	setvbuf( stdout, NULL, _IONBF, 0 );

	// redirect unbuffered STDIN to the console

	lStdHandle = (intptr_t) GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
	hConHandle = _open_osfhandle(lStdHandle, _O_TEXT);
	fp = _fdopen( hConHandle, "r" );
	*stdin = *fp;
	setvbuf( stdin, NULL, _IONBF, 0 );

	// redirect unbuffered STDERR to the console

	lStdHandle = (intptr_t) GetStdHandle(STD_ERROR_HANDLE);
	hConHandle = _open_osfhandle(lStdHandle, _O_TEXT);
	fp = _fdopen( hConHandle, "w" );
	*stderr = *fp;
	setvbuf( stderr, NULL, _IONBF, 0 );

--
Mats

**eaane74** · 11-08-2008

You can also check out this video on creating a data logger.

**Swarvy** · 11-08-2008

Originally Posted by eaane74

You can also check out this video on creating a data logger.

Wow, I'm watching that video at the moment, and had a look at the site where it came from, and that is a good find. Lots of very useful information there. Thanks a bunch.

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How to get both win32 and command prompt interface in the same application?