How to get command prompt to close and reopen after 5 seconds.

Hello,

I hope you are having a good day and thank you for taking the time to help me.

I am trying to write a program that opens a command prompt, waits for a number and ENTER then displays a picture then the command prompt closes, waits 5 seconds and then reopens the command prompt and repeats.

The problem is that I can't get the command prompt to close even though I have
system("exit"); in my program.

The reason why I need the command prompt to reopen is because I don't have the ability to select it (clink on it) before I enter the number and ENTER. ( a microcontroller is sending the number and ENTER and I can't select on the command prompt for the microcontroller).

Here is my program:

Code:

#include "stdafx.h"
#include <iostream>
#include <windows.h>
using namespace std; 
int main(void)
{
	while(true)
        {
	        int i;  
	        cout << "READY FOR INPUT: \n";
	        cin  >> i;
		if(i==0)
		{
			system("exit");
			HINSTANCE hInst = ShellExecute(NULL,"open","explorer","C:\\one.png",0,SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED);
			Sleep(5);
		}
		if(i==1)
		{
			system("exit");
			HINSTANCE hInst = ShellExecute(NULL,"open","explorer","C:\\two.png",0,SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED);
			Sleep(5);
		}
		if(i==2)
		{
			system("exit");
			HINSTANCE hInst = ShellExecute(NULL,"open","explorer","C:\\three.png",0,SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED);
			Sleep(5);

		}
		if(i==3)
		{
			system("exit");
			HINSTANCE hInst = ShellExecute(NULL,"open","explorer","C:\\four.png",0,SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED);
			Sleep(5);
		}
	}
}

My computer info:
64-bit Dell running Windows 7 OS.
Eventually, I am thinking of making an array when the number entered is the offset of the ShellExecute() command but that will come later.

( a microcontroller is sending the number and ENTER and I can't select on the command prompt for the microcontroller).

Then why try to close the prompt after some processing is completed?...you could just continue on the next line ..(or do a clear screen if cleanliness matters).

Originally Posted by manasij7479

Then why try to close the prompt after some processing is completed?...you could just continue on the next line ..(or do a clear screen if cleanliness matters).

Because, when the picture is opened it "goes above" the command prompt so that if the uC(micro-controler) types in a number then ENTER, nothing will happen because it will be typing that onto Windows Picture viewer which will then not do anything.

Is there someway to get the command prompt to gain priorioty or be selected without clicking on it with the mouse or closing it or reopening it? Am I not using the correct system() command?

Thank you for your help.

Am I not using the correct system() command?

I'm not in any way knowledgeable with windows, but are you sure that the only way you have is to use system() commands?
Shouldn't a Windows Api based solution be nicer ?

I don't think you are going to be able to do this with the shell() function. Take a look at the API function SetWindowPos(). You will have to include windows.h and also get the handle to the console window.

Originally Posted by manasij7479

I'm not in any way knowledgeable with windows, but are you sure that the only way you have is to use system() commands?
Shouldn't a Windows Api based solution be nicer ?

Well really all I am trying to do is close the current console window that is up. Is there another way to do this besides system("exit")?
What would a windows Api solution be? I'm sorry I am so unknowledgeable.

Originally Posted by AndrewHunter

I don't think you are going to be able to do this with the shell() function. Take a look at the API function SetWindowPos(). You will have to include windows.h and also get the handle to the console window.

There is nothing wrong with the ShellExecute() function. I have edited the code to show what it actually looks like. I don't care what happens to the window that is opened when the ShellExecute() function executes, its that I want the console to close. How do I close the console window?

Ok so I looked into the SetWindowPos Function and it looks really promising. I will investigate this further and let you know how I am coming along! Thank you for your help!!!!!!

So I guess now, the question is this:

How do I get a command prompt to stay on top of the Z Order?

Hmm, well I clicked on the link I provided and read and then saw this:

Code:

BOOL WINAPI SetWindowPos(
  __in      HWND hWnd,
  __in_opt  HWND hWndInsertAfter,
  __in      int X,
  __in      int Y,
  __in      int cx,
  __in      int cy,
  __in      UINT uFlags
);

And then I continued to read and saw:

Code:

HWND_TOP
(HWND)0 Places the window at the top of the Z order.

And then I looked at MSDN for how to get the console handle
Sorry, I didn't read that one for you because I was so tired after the two seconds it took to look at the link I provided you a couple of posts ago.

Do I declare the SetWindowPos like this:

Code:

BOOL WINAPI SetWindowPos(HWND,HWND,int X,int Y,int cx,int cy,UINT);

?

I used it like this and got a lot of errors:

Code:

SetWindowPos(GetConsoleWindow(),HWND_BOTTOM,0,0,0,0,SWP_NOSIZE);

but I did declare:

Code:

HWND WINAPI GetConsoleWindow(void);

Thank you for your help.

You ONLY declare functions YOU are supplying to the Compiler!

Did you write SetWindowPos and GetConsoleWindow functions?
If not, do NOT lie to the compiler that you are going to supply them.

Add the correct header to your source code and then link to the correct library (if a library is needed).

Tim S.