Thread: What is the purpose of console?

  1. #1
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    What is the purpose of console?

    What exactly do advanced programmers use console for? I mean learning all of these console functions is good and all...but what would you use them for?

    *shrugs*

  2. #2
    ¡Amo fútbol!
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    When your program doesn't require a GUI and wants to be portable or when someone wants to learn the basics of the languauge and doesn't want to be bogged down by the look of the program

  3. #3
    Programming Sex-God Polymorphic OOP's Avatar
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    or to quickly output information at runtime.

  4. #4
    ATH0 quzah's Avatar
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    Speed. Not everything uses or even needs a fancy / clunky graphical interface.

    Speed of programming and speed of execution.

    Why waste time on a graphical interface if you don't need it?

    Also, the console was around far before the GUI.

    It's also much easier to teach people how to write:
    Code:
    #include <iostream.h>
    int main( void )
    {
        cout << "Hello World!" << endl;
    }
    Than it is to draw a box/window, center the text, etc...


    Quzah.
    Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.

  5. #5
    Student Forever! bookworm's Avatar
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    Actually,I agree.GUI programs are really better than console applications.C++ is a good way to start programming,but in the long run,GUI programs rule.Thats why I decided to learn VB.net,but those MS guys are so mean!They charge $100 for the kit.If you know about any cheaper version,do let me know.
    Last edited by bookworm; 04-17-2003 at 01:57 AM.

  6. #6
    the hat of redundancy hat nvoigt's Avatar
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    If something doesn't need user interaction, there is no need wasting time on programming a GUI.
    hth
    -nv

    She was so Blonde, she spent 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it said "Concentrate."

    When in doubt, read the FAQ.
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  7. #7
    Programming Sex-God Polymorphic OOP's Avatar
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    Originally posted by bookworm
    Actually,I agree.GUI programs are really better than console applications.C++ is a good way to start programming,but in the long run,GUI programs rule.Thats why I decided to learn VB.net,but those MS guys are so mean!They charge $100 for the kit.If you know about any cheaper version,do let me know.
    ... haha, you thought C++ was just a good way to start programming, so you learned VB? I'm sorry, I didn't want to be mean, but I chuckled a little at the "c++ for people to start programming" comment. I'm wondering just how little C++ you learned before you made that statement

    Nothing is stopping you from programming a GUI application in C++, and if you know what you're doing, it can be just as easy or easier in C++, and you can get both more low-level and high-level control. Not that I'm saying VB is useless. It can be easier to quickly get something up and running, but, in my opinion, it's far from an elegant language, it's slow, not portable, and not ideal for very large projects. I thought it was kind of odd that you'd consider C++ as being a good way to start programming. VB is generally looked at as the "beginner's" language (though it is still often used with business applications, etc. that are small, need to be up quick, and where speed and portability are not of a concern).

    I didn't want to make an "omg vb sux0rz" reply, but saying "C++ is a good way to start programming" so you learned VB instead, is just a little opposite of what most people tend to feel, at least in my opinion. This is a C++ board, but I do think that a lot of people with agree, C++ is not the one that's considered for beginners. There's a reason why very few large, professional apps are programmed in VB.

    NOW EVERYONE YELL AT ME FOR SAYING VB SUXORZ!!!
    Last edited by Polymorphic OOP; 04-17-2003 at 02:23 AM.

  8. #8
    Student Forever! bookworm's Avatar
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    I had learnt a couple of old languages such as Basic and Pascal in school.In my vacations,I tried my hand at newer and better ones.Before learning C++,I learnt HTML,then JAVA and now I'm kicking off with VB.net.I do stick to my statement that C++ is a beginner's language.HTML is child's play.JAVA,though vast,is stuck to the internet browser.But JAVA and C++ introduce functions,classes,pointers etc.VB takes u a step forward and teaches u GUI apps.VC++.net is not as powerful as VB.net.This can be proved by comparing prices on their related books,software etc.Also,my university too,teaches in the same order,web development(including HTML,XML,JAVA),C++,VB,Solaris and so on.

  9. #9
    Programming Sex-God Polymorphic OOP's Avatar
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    Originally posted by bookworm
    VC++.net is not as powerful as VB.net. This can be proved by comparing prices on their related books,software etc
    Please have some valid points before you say anything as ignorant as that. Prices of books don't mean anything at all. Go try to make any complex datastructure in basic and and any experienced coder can can most likely make it more powerful, more efficient, more modular, and even coded faster in C++.

    Your whole reasoning is that visual basic is oriented towards GUI when you obviously don't realize that the exact same thing can be done in C++, just as easily (if you know what you're doing), plus, the language gives you more high-level and low-level control. Console programming is just what is standardized. What do you think most of the applications you run are programmed in? Browsers, games, art editing software, 3D modelors, even your visual basic compiler are written mostly in C, C++, and assembly. Go try and write the Unreal engine in visual basic and we'll talk

    Anyways, I think we're getting off topic

    EDIT: Also, I don't mean to offend you, please don't take it as that.
    Last edited by Polymorphic OOP; 04-17-2003 at 04:51 AM.

  10. #10
    the hat of redundancy hat nvoigt's Avatar
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    >>VC++.NET is not as powerful as VB.NET

    Which is a somewhat unfair comparison. Both are .NET languages, so you have the same amount of power from both, it's just the interface that's different.
    Normal VC is undoubtly more powerful than normal VB in a sense that VC can do everything VB can do and more. Sometimes it's better to use VB because you don't need the overhead of VC.

    I guess the original question should take in account that advanced programmers know both console and GUI programming and decide depending on project requirements which to use. As I mentioned, console programs are used when you simple don't need GUI and any keystroke in that direction would be a total waste of time you could spend developing the algorithms in the background.
    hth
    -nv

    She was so Blonde, she spent 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it said "Concentrate."

    When in doubt, read the FAQ.
    Then ask a smart question.

  11. #11
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    VC++.NET *IS* better than VB.NET in terms of power. Not only can it use the .NET Framework and make managed classes, etc, it can also use unmanaged code at the same time. So you can make your GUI easily with managed code and then make your speed-critical things in unmanaged. You can also directly talk with your OS that way too with API. Thats why DirectX 9.0 .NET is written in C++.NET -- its a wrapper for the real thing.

    In terms of ease of use, VB.NET is better. C#, I think is the perflect blend.

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    Well I realize that console is a great way to start learning...

    and as for doing things that dont require so much user interface...

    Would that be like doing things in the background of a larger program? Or unzipping a program or something?

    and what exactly is C# and how different is it from C++?

    Well basically Ive started learning Win32, because the program im working on requires quite a bit of user interface. Thanks for all the replies...

    And as for the VB and VC++ discussion...

    Ive never learned VB, but everyone that I know that has learned it always calls it a 'beginners language' because its not any where near as powerful as C,C++.
    MSVC++~

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    VB6 is a beginners language but its not as bad as people think. With API and assembler, you can do some pretty amazing things with VB6, things that would take twice as long to make in C++.

    And btw, not saying that WinAPI sucks but its not going to be supported in the next version of Windows (codename: LongHorn). You'll want to learn some .NET language like c# or managed C++ if you want a GUI in that windows.

    C# is a new language for the .NET Framework that is a blend between the power of C++, the cleanliness of Java, and the ease of VB. Its really an awesome language! Thats my second fav language, I still like C++ more because I like the speed and raw power.

  14. #14
    Registered User Dohojar's Avatar
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    hey speedy5... where did you read this?
    And btw, not saying that WinAPI sucks but its not going to be supported in the next version of Windows (codename: LongHorn). You'll want to learn some .NET language like c# or managed C++ if you want a GUI in that windows.
    I would really like to read where microcrap is taking windows and how they going to screw everyone over.
    Dohojar Moajbuj
    Time is the greatest teacher, too bad it kills all its students

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    Just look up "Windows Longhorn" on google. Previews and articles about it are all over the place. Most of what they say is wrong since they're still two more years left of development. Keep that in mind.

    I, personally, think it's a good idea to do away with WinAPI 32. Its concept is ancient, its time for a more object-oriented system. Thats .NET. They're taking out all the old technologies and replacing them with new, better, faster ones. I agree. However, they say there might be a emulator for old apps. Thats good.

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