Trying to copy console window (text and colors) and restore later in program...

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Hi,

I am writing a vb.net console application running in a 120 x 32 window and am trying to take a snapshot of the window and later in the program restore it back to what it looked like at the time the snapshot was taken.

What I have tried:

I think I've got the snapshot part of the problem covered with this:

VB

Dim hConsoleOutput As IntPtr = GetStdHandle(STD_HANDLES.STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE)
Dim Buffer(3840) As CHAR_INFO
Dim BufferSize As New COORD(120, 32)
Dim BufferCoord As New COORD(0, 0)
Dim ReadRegion As New SMALL_RECT(0, 0, 119, 31)

Dim X As Boolean = (ReadConsoleOutput(hConsoleOutput, Buffer(0), BufferSize, BufferCoord, ReadRegion))

But I've not managed to write the routine to restore the window back to it's original state.

Appreciate any help with the other part of the routine!

Posted 10-Mar-17 4:49am

Member 13037218

Updated 10-Mar-17 5:52am

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CHill60 10-Mar-17 10:53am

You would have to replay all of the outputs (and potentially) inputs that went to the console window in the first place. You've captured an image, but a console window is not an "image"

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Member 13037218 · Answer 1 · 2017-03-10T05:34:00

Solution 1

So the data I captured with the ReadConsoleOutput function (text and colors) cannot be written back to the console window?

Does the WriteConsoleOutput or WriteConsoleInput functions not allow you to dump a suitably formatted (CHAR_INFO) buffer to the screen?

Posted 10-Mar-17 5:34am

Member 13037218

Richard MacCutchan · Answer 2 · 2017-03-10T05:52:00

Solution 2

Try WriteConsoleOutput function (Windows)[^].

Posted 10-Mar-17 5:52am

Richard MacCutchan

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Member 13037218 10-Mar-17 12:55pm

Hi Richard,

I've already seen the WriteConsoleOutput page you linked to, but I've not been able to get a routine working with that example.