Adding Color Text to C++ Console Application

Hello!

I was wondering how one would go about adding colored text to a C console application. I know it can be done because I found this.

On that website, I found this image, which proves that it can be done.:


I tried to compile the following code, without modifying it in any way, but it didn't work. I checked for basic syntax errors, of which I found none. Not only that, but I did not know what any of the errors meant.

Code:

#include "Console.h"

namespace con = JadedHoboConsole;

int main()
{
    using std::cout;
    using std::endl;

    cout << "I like " << con::fg_green << "green" << con::fg_white << " eggs and ham." << endl;
}

That code does not work because you don't have the Console.h header file. Now there are multiple ways to add color to a C++ console app and if you really want to use the above stuff then I suggest looking for the header file somewhere. xD

Here are some ways I know how to do so however at varying difficulty.(Stupid WinAPI:////).

All of the below require this header file : Windows.h and correspondingly this line of code :

Code:

#include <Windows.h>

Here is the first method...

Code:

system("COLOR );

This call takes one string literal that is comprised of 3 specific parts. One the COLOR command, two the background color number and 3 the text color number.
Here are the color numbers, now I don't use this function often so you may have to experiment a bit in case my memory is wrong. :-/(And I am too lazy to test it out myself. xDDD)

0 = Black
1 = Blue
2 = Green
3 = Light blue?
4 = Red
5 = Purple
6 = Yellow?
7 = White
8 = Gray
9 = Another blue I think....
Then I think it switches to letters...
A = Light Green
B = Light Aqua
C = Some sort of red...I think...
D = Light Purple
E = Light Yellow
F = I honestly forget. xD
This wil make the background black and the text red.

Code:

system("COLOR 04");

A more complex way that uses the WinAPI goes like this...

Code:

#include <Windows.h>
#include <iostream>

int main(){
HANDLE hConsole;
hConsole = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);

for(int colorCode = 1; colorCode < 255; colorCode++){
SetConsoleTextAttribute(hConsole, colorCode);
std::cout <<"LAWLALWALWALAWLLWA\n";
}

std::cin.get();
return 0;
}


EDIT :

LAWL I found it on Code Project and I guess you did too. xD Good thing I had an account. c:

Here is the header file if you wish to have it and use your method. :-)

Code:

///@note I did not under no circumstances write this file, and all credit goes to the respective authors of the file.

http://tinyurl.com/86dyoqa

lulZ They use the really hard WinAPI method. LAWL I did not want to put that hear since I barely even get it but yeah.... XD

Thank you lego.

No problem mate. Which method did you end up using?

legolizard wrote:No problem mate. Which method did you end up using?

Right now, I have not used this thread for anything, but I will be in the near future.

legolizard wrote:No problem mate. Which method did you end up using?

To answer your question about which method I ended up using lego, I ended up using your method because I could not get Console.h to work, so I compiled this...

legolizard wrote:

Code:

#include <Windows.h>
#include <iostream>

int main(){
HANDLE hConsole;
hConsole = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);

for(int colorCode = 1; colorCode < 255; colorCode++){
SetConsoleTextAttribute(hConsole, colorCode);
std::cout <<"LAWLALWALWALAWLLWA\n";
}

std::cin.get();
return 0;
}


...and got this.:


I know that this image doesn't show the entire screen, so here is an image of the entire screen.


Thanks again lego!

Yup anytime. But if you want me to show you how to use the header file I would be glad to. May also give me impetus to make another tutorial haha.

legolizard wrote:Yup anytime. But if you want me to show you how to use the header file I would be glad to. May also give me impetus to make another tutorial haha.

You should do something more basic before you make a tutorial on this.

Ah okay, but would you still like to know how to use header files? 0o0

legolizard wrote:Ah okay, but would you still like to know how to use header files? 0o0

Yes, but not right now.