Saving screen output to file

I am developing a program to produce estimates (Using MS Visual Studio--'black background program' -- I don't know what platform that is considered, sorry I am a newbie). Anyways, I want to be able to either:

1). Save the ENTIRE SCREEN OUTPUT to a file (with option Y/N to save, then get the filename from the user, then save the file---- This should be done within the program)

(OR)

2). To print the screen (everything in the screen, not using ALT + PRINTSCRN, either).

Either option is fine, I just need to do one to produce a hard copy!
Does anyone have a solution to my woes? Please, please, please, please help!

You guys rock!

Create an "output" function that takes string. Echo all input by using this function. The "output" function should basicly store a buffer of (screen_width x screen_height) characters so that you can if need be, dump the screen contents to a file.

Use your output function in place of standard output functions.

Quzah.

You're using windows, and the windows environment for a dos console may or may not allow direct video access, but it's probably not a good idea to do that anyway - so forget the 2nd option for now.

For the first option, it would probably be easier to ask ahead of time, and write to file at the same time as you write to screen. Look up functions such as fopen, fprintf, etc..

If you want to save only afterwards, you could either save all the output in a buffer and dump it to disk with fwrite, or use a temporary file and copy it to the new name if the user decides to save it.

Code:

---

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main()
{
 FILE *fptr;
 char name[20], last[20];

 if ( (fptr =  fopen( "test.txt", "w" ) ) != NULL ){
    printf("Enter first name:");
    fgets( name, sizeof name, stdin );

    printf("Enter sur name:");
    fgets( last, sizeof last, stdin );

    fprintf(fptr, "Testing file...\n" );
    fprintf(fptr, "%s  %s",  name, last );
 }
 else
    perror("test.txt");

      system("PAUSE");
      return 0;
}

---

Is this what u are looking for??

Quote:

---

Originally posted by datainjector

Code:

---

    printf("Enter first name:");
    fgets( name, sizeof name, stdin );

    printf("Enter sur name:");
    fgets( last, sizeof last, stdin );

---

Is this what u are looking for??

---

No. It doesn't sound like it. From the original message, they want everything on the screen dumped to a file. This would include the lines "Enter first name:" and "Enter sur name:" also, not just their input.

As I mentioned, the best way to do this is to buffer all output and write the buffer when they elect to do a screen dump.

Quzah.

Datainjector - thanks, sample code is always nice to have for an answer to a question. I am putting the final touches on my program. I will test your code later and let you know if it works or not. Thanks.

Quzah, I have no idea what you mean. Like I said earlier. I am an EXTREME newbie at C programming. I wouldn't know the first thing about doing what you described, or where to start....but thanks all the same....

Let me clarify my question and add to it...

1). Is is possible to even do what I initially asked for regarding the entire input screen? Save file or print the whole screen?

(and)

2). Is there a simplistic way to tackle this problem? I have a deadline for tomorrow and I don't want to chase rainbows that don't exist.

To the rest of you, thanks for all your input. It is nice to have web buds that care and who are willing to help.

You guys Rock!

1) Yes.
2) Yes.
However, what is simple to me, may not be simple to you. I would create a "buffer', which is a section of code (an array or whatever you choose) to store the "page" of text. Then you do something like:

Code:

---

void output( char * s )
{
    printf( "%s", s );
    buffer( s );
}

---

I'd also make a function to write the buffer to a file. You'll need to create a function to stick the string into the buffer, and keep tabs on the dirty work of buffering the text (such as what line you're on or whatever).

In short, no, you'll probably not have an easy time of it. But post your code attempt and we'll correct and assist. I don't provide full answers to homework.

Quzah.

FYI - This is not homework. This is a program for a non-profit/low profit clinic. My services are voluntary (I suppose that is why they do not care about me being a newbie programmer, if I can be called one at all). The estimates are to generate a low cost/sliding scale payment for a health provider. Again, thanks all the same and I will apply what I can to my program later and get back to you all about what worked, if anything.

All the suggestions are very helpful and appreciated. Keep on rocking the program world guys!