[Tutorial] Making command-line application

[Arteq]

Hello guys, this is just a random tutorial I decided to share with you. That was just my school project, nothing special, just some shit to get an A mark. The only interesting thing in this project is its construction. So let me tell you how to do this...

spoiler (Click to View)

PLEASE, ALL MEMBERS WHO ARE BLUE/YELLOW/PURPLE YOU BETTER DON'T READ THIS THREAD TO BE NOT RAGING ;D

Some more offtopic: this tut is made for complete NOOBS who know NOTHING like my 9-yo bro. 70% of itsmods are such people. So no messages "we all know that, kinda useless tut". thats why all skilled coders better close that page.

Okay, now once you are ready to start - let's do this.

First of all, we are making a console application in VB.NET (I was using 4.5 Framework, although all these commands will work on older versions either). At very beginning of our Module1 let's make few imports:

VB Code

Imports Microsoft.Win32
Imports System
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Runtime.CompilerServices

Nice, now let's pass over to fundamental functions. I want to notice that I made my tool in NOT STANDARD way, invented by myself (I don't care if somebody made it before me, ALL OF THESE CODES were written only and only by me, without even internet connection while writing). It is a bit specific, but it works

Okay, firstly declare new string "Decision". Make new subs output & stext & input & info:

VB Code

Sub output()
        Console.ResetColor()
    End Sub
 
    Sub stext()
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red
    End Sub
 
    Sub input()
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow
    End Sub
 
    Sub info()
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Green
    End Sub

Now in main sub write Output() and (each new command goes on new line) console.title = "YOUR APP TITLE" and some introduction message. In my app:

VB Code

output()
        Console.Title = "PC Info - console version"
        Console.WriteLine("Welcome to PC Info. This application can be used in the same way as cmd. If you want to know something about your PC - type right code and hit ENTER. To see allavailable codes type HELP and hit ENTER.")
        Console.WriteLine()
        Console.Write("Notice that all commands have to be typed with ")
        stext()
        Console.Write("lower case letters.")
        Console.WriteLine()
        Console.WriteLine()

Now after this we have to make sub Action() and put it after introductory part. I think the name of sub describes what it does

VB Code

Sub action()
        Do Until decision = "exit"
            say()
            com()
        Loop
    End Sub

This means that action command will be repeated until decision string (full explanation a bit later - in short - it is the command user types in) is "exit". Now we can see that Action() uses two new susbs - let's add them.

VB Code

Sub say()
        output()
        Console.Write("User: ")
        input()
        decision = Console.ReadLine
    End Sub

Now you can see that string decision is the command the user types in. We are close to the end... Let's make the com() as this sub is still remaining undeclared.

VB Code

Sub com()
        output()
        If decision = "<YOUR-COMMAND>" Then
          <YOUR CODE GOES HERE>
        End if
        End sub

This is the main part - user typed in the command -> it was written to string DECISION -> if decision = some specified command then something happens. Example:

VB Code

Sub com()
        output()
        If decision = "help" Then
          <ALL-AVAILABLE-COMMANDS>
        End if
        End sub

If you want to add more codes, just add elseif struct to com() sub and voila. Finally at the end of main() sub add

VB Code

action()
        If decision = "exit" Then
            End
        End If

You are done now! Try it, you will have a command-line app with your own commands, you can customize all my "settings" (colors, text, etc) to make your own app.

Full source code in spoiler

VB.NET Source (Click to View)

VB Code

Imports Microsoft.Win32
Imports System
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Runtime.CompilerServices
Module Module1
    Dim decision As String
    Sub Main()
        output()
        Console.Title = "PC Info - console version"
        Console.WriteLine("Welcome to PC Info. This application can be used in the same way as cmd. If you want to know something about your PC - type right code and hit ENTER. To see allavailable codes type HELP and hit ENTER.")
        Console.WriteLine()
        Console.Write("Notice that all commands have to be typed with ")
        stext()
        Console.Write("lower case letters.")
        Console.WriteLine()
        Console.WriteLine()
        action()
        If decision = "exit" Then
            End
        End If
        Console.ReadLine() 'THIS IS GOING AT END OF CODE SO WE WILL SEE HOW IT WORKS
    End Sub
 
 
    Sub com()
        output()
        If decision = "help" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.WriteLine("All available commands:")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine("clear - clears console history")
            Console.WriteLine("cpu - shows wether you have x32 or x64 CPU")
            Console.WriteLine("defb - shows default browser")
            Console.WriteLine("drives - shows number, names, total and free space of drives")
            Console.WriteLine("exit - closes this application")
            Console.WriteLine("goto - open a page via default browser")
            Console.WriteLine("lang - shows current language used by OS")
            Console.WriteLine("memory - shows info about your PC memory (both physical and virtual)")
            Console.WriteLine("mwheel - indicates whether your mouse has wheel or not")
            Console.WriteLine("os - shows currently installed operating system")
            Console.WriteLine("pcname - shows name of PC")
            Console.WriteLine("screen - shows screen info")
            Console.WriteLine("sdb - start default browser")
            Console.WriteLine("time - shows local and GMT current time")
            Console.WriteLine("username - displays name of PC user")
            Console.WriteLine("webtest - indicates whether internet connection is available")
            '-------------------NEW COMS HERE--------------------
            Console.WriteLine()
            'to be continued (remember: alphabet sorta.) <--- not 100%
        ElseIf decision = "screen" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            Dim res As String
            res = My.Computer.Screen.Bounds.Right & " x " & My.Computer.Screen.Bounds.Bottom
            info()
            Console.Write("Resolution is ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(res)
            info()
            Console.Write("Device name is ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Screen.DeviceName)
            info()
            Console.Write("Working area is ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Screen.WorkingArea)
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "clear" Then
            Console.Clear()
            Main()
        ElseIf decision = "os" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Info.OSFullName)
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "memory" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("Total physical memory: ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Info.TotalPhysicalMemory)
            info()
            Console.Write("Available physical memory: ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Info.AvailablePhysicalMemory)
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("Total virtual memory: ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Info.TotalVirtualMemory)
            info()
            Console.Write("Available virtual memory: ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Info.AvailableVirtualMemory)
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "username" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            Console.WriteLine(My.User.Name)
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "lang" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Info.InstalledUICulture)
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "time" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("GMT time: ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Clock.GmtTime)
            info()
            Console.Write("Local time: ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Clock.LocalTime)
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "drives" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("Total number of drives: ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.FileSystem.Drives.Count.ToString)
            For Each drive In My.Computer.FileSystem.Drives
                Try
                    Console.WriteLine("{0}, {1}, {2}", drive.Name, drive.TotalSize, drive.AvailableFreeSpace)
                Catch ex As Exception
                    'do nothing
                End Try
            Next
            stext()
            Console.WriteLine("NAME, total space, free space")
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "keyboard" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("Caps lock is ")
            If My.Computer.Keyboard.CapsLock = True Then
                output()
                Console.WriteLine("enabled.")
            Else
                output()
                Console.WriteLine("disabled.")
            End If
            info()
            Console.Write("Num lock is ")
            If My.Computer.Keyboard.NumLock = True Then
                output()
                Console.WriteLine("enabled.")
            Else
                output()
                Console.WriteLine("disabled.")
            End If
            info()
            Console.Write("Scroll lock is ")
            If My.Computer.Keyboard.ScrollLock = True Then
                output()
                Console.WriteLine("enabled.")
            Else
                output()
                Console.WriteLine("disabled.")
            End If
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "defb" Then
            Try
                Console.WriteLine()
                stext()
                Console.WriteLine("This function DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK.")
                Dim key As RegistryKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\Clients\StartmenuInternet")
                Dim name As String = key.GetValue("")
                info()
                Console.Write("Default browser is ")
                output()
                Console.WriteLine(name)
                Console.WriteLine()
            Catch ex As Exception
                'do nothing
            End Try
        ElseIf decision = "mwheel" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("Your mouse ")
            output()
            Dim yesno As String = "does not"
            If My.Computer.Mouse.WheelExists = True Then
                yesno = "has "
            Else
                yesno = "doesn't have "
            End If
            Console.Write(yesno)
            info()
            Console.WriteLine("a wheel.")
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "pcname" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("Your PC name is ")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine(My.Computer.Name)
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "webtest" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            info()
            Console.Write("Internet ")
            output()
            If My.Computer.Network.IsAvailable = True Then
                Console.WriteLine("is available.")
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("is not available.")
            End If
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "cpu" Then
            Dim architecture As Integer = Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.SizeOf(GetType(IntPtr)) * 8
            Select Case architecture
                Case 32
                    Console.WriteLine()
                    info()
                    Console.Write("Your CPU is ")
                    output()
                    Console.WriteLine("x32.")
                    Console.WriteLine()
                Case 64
                    Console.WriteLine()
                    info()
                    Console.Write("Your CPU is ")
                    output()
                    Console.WriteLine("x64.")
                    Console.WriteLine()
            End Select
        ElseIf decision = "sdb" Then
            Console.WriteLine()
            Console.WriteLine("Opening browser...")
            sdb()
            Console.WriteLine("Browser opened!")
            Console.WriteLine()
        ElseIf decision = "goto" Then
            browser()
        Else
            Console.WriteLine()
            stext()
            Console.WriteLine("Wrong command! Type help to see list of right commands and check if your Caps")
            Console.WriteLine("Lock is turned off - we accept only lower case letter commands.")
            output()
            Console.WriteLine()
        End If
    End Sub
 
 
    Sub sdb()
        If My.Computer.FileSystem.DirectoryExists(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories​.MyDocuments & "\pcinfo") Then
            'do nothing
        Else
            My.Computer.FileSystem.CreateDirectory(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories​.MyDocuments & "\pcinfo")
        End If
 
        If My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDo​cuments & "\pcinfo\index.txt") Then
            My.Computer.FileSystem.DeleteFile(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDo​cuments & "\pcinfo\index.txt")
            If My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDo​cuments & "\pcinfo\index.html") Then
                My.Computer.FileSystem.DeleteFile(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDo​cuments & "\pcinfo\index.html")
            End If
        Else
            If My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDo​cuments & "\pcinfo\index.html") Then
                My.Computer.FileSystem.DeleteFile(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDo​cuments & "\pcinfo\index.html")
            End If
        End If
 
        File.Create(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDocuments & "\pcinfo\index.html").Dispose()
        Dim sss As System.IO.StreamWriter
        sss = File.CreateText(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDocuments & "\pcinfo\index.html")
        sss.WriteLine("<html>")
        sss.WriteLine()
        sss.WriteLine("<head>")
        sss.WriteLine("<title>PC Info home page</title>")
        sss.WriteLine("</head>")
        sss.WriteLine()
        sss.WriteLine("<body bgcolor=""white"" text=""blue"">")
        sss.WriteLine()
        sss.WriteLine("<h1> PC Info </h1>")
        sss.WriteLine("A simple app created by <NAME> <SURNAME> for learning purposes. It allows you to know all information about your PC.")
        sss.WriteLine("<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>")
        sss.WriteLine("<h1>YOU STARTED WEB-BROWSER! HERE ARE FEATURED LINKS<h1>")
        sss.WriteLine("<a href=""http://www.google.com"">Google</a>")
        sss.WriteLine("<a href=""http://www.itsmods.com"">Itsmods</a>")
        sss.WriteLine("<a href=""http://www.<SITE>.ru""><SITE></a>")
        sss.WriteLine("</body>")
        sss.WriteLine()
        sss.WriteLine("</html>")
        sss.Dispose()
        System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories.MyDoc​uments & "\pcinfo\index.html")
    End Sub
 
    Sub browser()
        Console.WriteLine()
        stext()
        Console.WriteLine("Please enter page like GOOGLE.COM without HTTP or WWW part")
        info()
        Console.Write("Address: ")
        input()
        Dim page As String
        page = Console.ReadLine
        If page IsNot "" Then
            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("http://www." & page)
        Else
            sdb()
        End If
        Console.WriteLine()
    End Sub
 
#Region "fundamental"
    Sub output()
        Console.ResetColor()
    End Sub
 
    Sub input()
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow
    End Sub
 
    Sub stext()
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red
    End Sub
 
    Sub say()
        output()
        Console.Write("User: ")
        input()
        decision = Console.ReadLine
    End Sub
 
    Sub action()
        Do Until decision = "exit"
            say()
            com()
        Loop
    End Sub
 
    Sub info()
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Green
    End Sub
#End Region
 
End Module

Thanks for reading, I guess the explanation was not the best one, but I'm porud to share this since I made the structure myself.

Related links

[SailorMoon]

RAAAGE

[Arteq]

Still can't get it. Practically everything that is possible with C# is possible with VB

[JariZ]

*insert bullshit about C# being better then VB.net here*

Related links

[barata]

(04-16-2012 16:44)JariZ Wrote:  *insert bullshit about C# being better then VB.net here*

True dat...

Thanks Barata...

[Pozzuh]

Nice tutorial you're beginners, good job

[aosma8]

(04-16-2012 16:44)JariZ Wrote:  *insert bullshit about C# being better then VB.net here*

C++ pwns all!

[Pozzuh]

Related links

[Arteq]

(04-17-2012 08:55)Pozzuh Wrote:  

OLD!!!111
But like this ^_^

[OrangePL]

(04-17-2012 08:55)Pozzuh Wrote:  

pop ebx