Anders Hesselbom

Where are the console controls?

2009-06-16

For me, quick and dirty tools that just have to be built, but you can’t really allocate the time for it, are console applications. From time to time, they require some user input that I usually handle with the ReadLine function. When the user has to make a selection, I do the usual routine including google for some console controls or information on what controls are out there for console applications, and then ending up doing a fast hack that allows the user to pick something from a list.

I can’t understand why someone haven’t published something like this. Perhaps I am using the completely wrong search terms. I have reluctantly started to program a list box, but if someone points one out for me, I will run away from this immediately. I can see that controls in a console application is in itself is conceptually wrong (it will probably ruin the possibilities to extend the application by redirecting the input and output stream), but I have had the need for this a few times.

Anyone?

Categories: Microsoft .NET