writing to the console

frktons · 07-30-2010, 06:12 AM

Hello everybody.
I'm trying to write to the console with WriteConsoleOutput, but I get some
errors during compilation.
The code I've written so far:

Code:

//--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//Display a 80cols  x 25 rows fixed size console
//--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
void  DisplayCon(char target[]){

    COORD bufferSize = {80, 25};
    COORD TopLeft = {0,0};

    SMALL_RECT Out_buf; 

    Out_buf.Left = 0;
    Out_buf.Top = 0;
    Out_buf.Right = 24;
    Out_buf.Bottom = 79;

    WriteConsoleOutput(wHnd, target, bufferSize, TopLeft, Out_buf);

    return;

}

When I compile I get these errors:

Code:

Type error in argument 2 to 'function'; expected 'const CHAR_INFO *' but found 'char *'.
Type error in argument 5 to 'function'; expected 'PSMALL_RECT' but found 'SMALL_RECT'.

regarding the WriteConsoleOutput call.

What am I missing?

The array I'm using to store the data to be displayed: target[] should
be a CHAR_INFO structure. If I want to use the same area using union,
the same that I'm using for array target[], how should I define the structure?

CHAR_INFO has already a union inside:

Code:

typedef struct _CHAR_INFO { // chi  
    union {                /* Unicode or ANSI character  */ 
        WCHAR UnicodeChar; 
        CHAR AsciiChar; 
    } Char; 
    WORD Attributes;       // text and background colors 
} CHAR_INFO, *PCHAR_INFO;

I am not able to figure how should I declare the structure with a union to
have the same area of 8000 bytes usable in both array mode and struct mode.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

**Salem** · 07-30-2010, 08:47 AM

Start with

Code:

CHAR_INFO array[10];  // pick your size

Then do

Code:

array[0].Char.AsciiChar = mystring[0];  // and the rest of them
array[0].Attributes = 0;  // RTM for RED, FLASH, whatever...

Finally,

Code:

WriteConsoleOutput(wHnd, array, bufferSize, TopLeft, &Out_buf);

frktons · 07-30-2010, 10:35 AM

Thanks salem. This is a different solution, but it can be feasible.

I have the

Code:

AsciiChar
Attributes

In an array of characters source[4000] in this shape:

Code:

first character:
source[0] contains the AsciiChar
source[1] contains the Attributes
second character:
source[2] contains the AsciiChar
source[3] contains the Attributes
and so on.

If I assign the values:

Code:

array[0].Char.AsciiChar = source[0];  
array[0].Attributes =source[1];
and so on

I leave the remaining 2 bytes of the structure uninitialized, but I want that they
contain both a space [ASCII 32].
So I need to put some value also in the remaining 2 bytes of the
structure. How do I access them?

07-30-2010, 06:12 AM	#1
frktons Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 182	writing to the console Hello everybody. I'm trying to write to the console with WriteConsoleOutput, but I get some errors during compilation. The code I've written so far: Code: //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //Display a 80cols x 25 rows fixed size console //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- void DisplayCon(char target[]){ COORD bufferSize = {80, 25}; COORD TopLeft = {0,0}; SMALL_RECT Out_buf; Out_buf.Left = 0; Out_buf.Top = 0; Out_buf.Right = 24; Out_buf.Bottom = 79; WriteConsoleOutput(wHnd, target, bufferSize, TopLeft, Out_buf); return; } When I compile I get these errors: Code: Type error in argument 2 to 'function'; expected 'const CHAR_INFO ' but found 'char '. Type error in argument 5 to 'function'; expected 'PSMALL_RECT' but found 'SMALL_RECT'. regarding the WriteConsoleOutput call. What am I missing? The array I'm using to store the data to be displayed: target[] should be a CHAR_INFO structure. If I want to use the same area using union, the same that I'm using for array target[], how should I define the structure? CHAR_INFO has already a union inside: Code: typedef struct _CHAR_INFO { // chi union { /* Unicode or ANSI character / WCHAR UnicodeChar; CHAR AsciiChar; } Char; WORD Attributes; // text and background colors } CHAR_INFO, PCHAR_INFO; I am not able to figure how should I declare the structure with a union to have the same area of 8000 bytes usable in both array mode and struct mode. Thanks for any help you can give me. Last edited by frktons; 07-30-2010 at 06:33 AM.
frktons is offline

07-30-2010, 08:47 AM	#2
Salem and the hat of Destiny Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The edge of the known universe Posts: 22,695	Start with Code: CHAR_INFO array[10]; // pick your size Then do Code: array[0].Char.AsciiChar = mystring[0]; // and the rest of them array[0].Attributes = 0; // RTM for RED, FLASH, whatever... Finally, Code: WriteConsoleOutput(wHnd, array, bufferSize, TopLeft, &Out_buf); __________________ If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
Salem is offline

07-30-2010, 10:35 AM	#3
frktons Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 182	Thanks salem. This is a different solution, but it can be feasible. I have the Code: AsciiChar Attributes In an array of characters source[4000] in this shape: Code: first character: source[0] contains the AsciiChar source[1] contains the Attributes second character: source[2] contains the AsciiChar source[3] contains the Attributes and so on. If I assign the values: Code: array[0].Char.AsciiChar = source[0]; array[0].Attributes =source[1]; and so on I leave the remaining 2 bytes of the structure uninitialized, but I want that they contain both a space [ASCII 32]. So I need to put some value also in the remaining 2 bytes of the structure. How do I access them? Last edited by frktons; 07-30-2010 at 10:49 AM.
frktons is offline

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help with console program	feso4	C++ Programming	3	10-22-2006 11:53 AM
Eeks! locating a the cursor in a console app is a real _bear().	Pete_2000	C Programming	12	05-06-2006 03:34 PM
Windows console problems	tigs	Windows Programming	2	03-14-2003 11:20 AM
Linux console window questions	GaPe	Linux Programming	1	12-28-2002 12:18 PM
Sprites In Console	c++_n00b	A Brief History of Cprogramming.com	4	04-13-2002 07:02 AM