Get user attention without stealing focus

Get user attention without stealing focus - c#

I have a program that lets the user open several forms. Once a given event occurs (ex : 30 seconds have passed) I need to get user attention on the Form that triggered the event, without stealing the focus.
I already get the form on top with:
f.TopMost = true;
but I'd like to implement some alternative to that. Since changing the border color of the frame seems a nearly impossible task ( this solution would have been the best one), does anyone has an idea on how to get attention without stealing focus?

Option A: You need to use FlashWindowEx from the windows API. This isn't available in .NET, so you need to use PInvoke.
Option B: Use a balloon tip from the system tray. This is built into .NET, but requires that your application use a notification icon, which you might not want. More details here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.notifyicon.showballoontip.aspx
Here is the example for how to use Option A:
pInvoke.net has the best example: http://pinvoke.net/default.aspx/user32.FlashWindowEx
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool FlashWindowEx(ref FLASHWINFO pwfi);
User-Defined Types:
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct FLASHWINFO
{
public UInt32 cbSize;
public IntPtr hwnd;
public UInt32 dwFlags;
public UInt32 uCount;
public UInt32 dwTimeout;
}
Notes:
//Stop flashing. The system restores the window to its original state.
public const UInt32 FLASHW_STOP = 0;
//Flash the window caption.
public const UInt32 FLASHW_CAPTION = 1;
//Flash the taskbar button.
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TRAY = 2;
//Flash both the window caption and taskbar button.
//This is equivalent to setting the FLASHW_CAPTION | FLASHW_TRAY flags.
public const UInt32 FLASHW_ALL = 3;
//Flash continuously, until the FLASHW_STOP flag is set.
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TIMER = 4;
//Flash continuously until the window comes to the foreground.
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TIMERNOFG = 12;
Tips & Tricks:
Please add some!
Sample Code:
/// <summary>
/// Flashes a window
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hWnd">The handle to the window to flash</param>
/// <returns>whether or not the window needed flashing</returns>
public static bool FlashWindowEx(IntPtr hWnd)
{
FLASHWINFO fInfo = new FLASHWINFO();
fInfo.cbSize = Convert.ToUInt32(Marshal.SizeOf(fInfo));
fInfo.hwnd = hWnd;
fInfo.dwFlags = FLASHW_ALL;
fInfo.uCount = UInt32.MaxValue;
fInfo.dwTimeout = 0;
return FlashWindowEx(ref fInfo);
}
...
/// Minor adjust to the code above
/// <summary>
/// Flashes a window until the window comes to the foreground
/// Receives the form that will flash
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hWnd">The handle to the window to flash</param>
/// <returns>whether or not the window needed flashing</returns>
public static bool FlashWindowEx(Form frm)
{
IntPtr hWnd = frm.Handle;
FLASHWINFO fInfo = new FLASHWINFO();
fInfo.cbSize = Convert.ToUInt32(Marshal.SizeOf(fInfo));
fInfo.hwnd = hWnd;
fInfo.dwFlags = FLASHW_ALL | FLASHW_TIMERNOFG;
fInfo.uCount = UInt32.MaxValue;
fInfo.dwTimeout = 0;
return FlashWindowEx(ref fInfo);
}
Here is the official Microsoft example: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms679347(v=vs.85).aspx
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern bool FlashWindowEx(ref FLASHWINFO pwfi);
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct FLASHWINFO
{
/// <summary>
/// The size of the structure in bytes.
/// </summary>
public uint cbSize;
/// <summary>
/// A Handle to the Window to be Flashed. The window can be either opened or minimized.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hwnd;
/// <summary>
/// The Flash Status.
/// </summary>
public FlashWindowFlags dwFlags; //uint
/// <summary>
/// The number of times to Flash the window.
/// </summary>
public uint uCount;
/// <summary>
/// The rate at which the Window is to be flashed, in milliseconds. If Zero, the function uses the default cursor blink rate.
/// </summary>
public uint dwTimeout;
}
public enum FlashWindowFlags : uint
{
/// <summary>
/// Stop flashing. The system restores the window to its original state.
/// </summary>
FLASHW_STOP = 0,
/// <summary>
/// Flash the window caption.
/// </summary>
FLASHW_CAPTION = 1,
/// <summary>
/// Flash the taskbar button.
/// </summary>
FLASHW_TRAY = 2,
/// <summary>
/// Flash both the window caption and taskbar button.
/// This is equivalent to setting the FLASHW_CAPTION | FLASHW_TRAY flags.
/// </summary>
FLASHW_ALL = 3,
/// <summary>
/// Flash continuously, until the FLASHW_STOP flag is set.
/// </summary>
FLASHW_TIMER = 4,
/// <summary>
/// Flash continuously until the window comes to the foreground.
/// </summary>
FLASHW_TIMERNOFG = 12
}
public static bool FlashWindow(IntPtr hWnd,
FlashWindowFlags fOptions,
uint FlashCount,
uint FlashRate)
{
if(IntPtr.Zero != hWnd)
{
FLASHWINFO fi = new FLASHWINFO();
fi.cbSize = (uint)Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(FLASHWINFO));
fi.dwFlags = fOptions;
fi.uCount = FlashCount;
fi.dwTimeout = FlashRate;
fi.hwnd = hWnd;
return FlashWindowEx(ref fi);
}
return false;
}
public static bool StopFlashingWindow(IntPtr hWnd)
{
if(IntPtr.Zero != hWnd)
{
FLASHWINFO fi = new FLASHWINFO();
fi.cbSize = (uint)Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(FLASHWINFO));
fi.dwFlags = (uint)FlashWindowFlags.FLASHW_STOP;
fi.hwnd = hWnd;
return FlashWindowEx(ref fi);
}
return false;
}

In Windows 7, a progress bar on a form is represented in its taskbar button; you might leverage that. There's also got to be a way to simply highlight the taskbar button, like IM programs do when you get a new message.

Related

How can I get the different icon sizes from a file extension? [duplicate]

I know i can extract a file's icon using
using (System.Drawing.Icon sysicon = System.Drawing.Icon.ExtractAssociatedIcon(filePath))
{
icon = System.Windows.Interop.Imaging.CreateBitmapSourceFromHIcon(
sysicon.Handle,
System.Windows.Int32Rect.Empty,
System.Windows.Media.Imaging.BitmapSizeOptions.FromEmptyOptions());
}
But how can I, with no file, get the icon for a given extension?

Use the GetFileIcon method from this CodeProject article from Paul Ingles and pass .ext as the name parameter.
The GetFileIcon method is a wrapper around the native SHGetFileInfo and copied here for illustration:
public static System.Drawing.Icon GetFileIcon(string name, IconSize size,
bool linkOverlay)
{
Shell32.SHFILEINFO shfi = new Shell32.SHFILEINFO();
uint flags = Shell32.SHGFI_ICON | Shell32.SHGFI_USEFILEATTRIBUTES;
if (true == linkOverlay) flags += Shell32.SHGFI_LINKOVERLAY;
/* Check the size specified for return. */
if (IconSize.Small == size)
{
flags += Shell32.SHGFI_SMALLICON ; // include the small icon flag
}
else
{
flags += Shell32.SHGFI_LARGEICON ; // include the large icon flag
}
Shell32.SHGetFileInfo( name,
Shell32.FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,
ref shfi,
(uint) System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.SizeOf(shfi),
flags );
// Copy (clone) the returned icon to a new object, thus allowing us
// to call DestroyIcon immediately
System.Drawing.Icon icon = (System.Drawing.Icon)
System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle(shfi.hIcon).Clone();
User32.DestroyIcon( shfi.hIcon ); // Cleanup
return icon;
}

Below code is also based on Paul Ingles solution, but:
Usable with WPF (ImageSource instead of Icon)
Has simple caching
Removed all stuff related to directories (I have only files in my
case)
Refactored using R# tips and wrapped with a single-class simple API
I've tested it on Windows 7 and Windows XP SP3, it works as expected with any string as a fileName.
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing;
using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Interop;
using System.Windows.Media;
using System.Windows.Media.Imaging;
/// <summary>
/// Internals are mostly from here: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/2532/Obtaining-and-managing-file-and-folder-icons-using
/// Caches all results.
/// </summary>
public static class IconManager
{
private static readonly Dictionary<string, ImageSource> _smallIconCache = new Dictionary<string, ImageSource>();
private static readonly Dictionary<string, ImageSource> _largeIconCache = new Dictionary<string, ImageSource>();
/// <summary>
/// Get an icon for a given filename
/// </summary>
/// <param name="fileName">any filename</param>
/// <param name="large">16x16 or 32x32 icon</param>
/// <returns>null if path is null, otherwise - an icon</returns>
public static ImageSource FindIconForFilename(string fileName, bool large)
{
var extension = Path.GetExtension(fileName);
if (extension == null)
return null;
var cache = large ? _largeIconCache : _smallIconCache;
ImageSource icon;
if (cache.TryGetValue(extension, out icon))
return icon;
icon = IconReader.GetFileIcon(fileName, large ? IconReader.IconSize.Large : IconReader.IconSize.Small, false).ToImageSource();
cache.Add(extension, icon);
return icon;
}
/// <summary>
/// http://stackoverflow.com/a/6580799/1943849
/// </summary>
static ImageSource ToImageSource(this Icon icon)
{
var imageSource = Imaging.CreateBitmapSourceFromHIcon(
icon.Handle,
Int32Rect.Empty,
BitmapSizeOptions.FromEmptyOptions());
return imageSource;
}
/// <summary>
/// Provides static methods to read system icons for both folders and files.
/// </summary>
/// <example>
/// <code>IconReader.GetFileIcon("c:\\general.xls");</code>
/// </example>
static class IconReader
{
/// <summary>
/// Options to specify the size of icons to return.
/// </summary>
public enum IconSize
{
/// <summary>
/// Specify large icon - 32 pixels by 32 pixels.
/// </summary>
Large = 0,
/// <summary>
/// Specify small icon - 16 pixels by 16 pixels.
/// </summary>
Small = 1
}
/// <summary>
/// Returns an icon for a given file - indicated by the name parameter.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="name">Pathname for file.</param>
/// <param name="size">Large or small</param>
/// <param name="linkOverlay">Whether to include the link icon</param>
/// <returns>System.Drawing.Icon</returns>
public static Icon GetFileIcon(string name, IconSize size, bool linkOverlay)
{
var shfi = new Shell32.Shfileinfo();
var flags = Shell32.ShgfiIcon | Shell32.ShgfiUsefileattributes;
if (linkOverlay) flags += Shell32.ShgfiLinkoverlay;
/* Check the size specified for return. */
if (IconSize.Small == size)
flags += Shell32.ShgfiSmallicon;
else
flags += Shell32.ShgfiLargeicon;
Shell32.SHGetFileInfo(name,
Shell32.FileAttributeNormal,
ref shfi,
(uint)Marshal.SizeOf(shfi),
flags);
// Copy (clone) the returned icon to a new object, thus allowing us to clean-up properly
var icon = (Icon)Icon.FromHandle(shfi.hIcon).Clone();
User32.DestroyIcon(shfi.hIcon); // Cleanup
return icon;
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Wraps necessary Shell32.dll structures and functions required to retrieve Icon Handles using SHGetFileInfo. Code
/// courtesy of MSDN Cold Rooster Consulting case study.
/// </summary>
static class Shell32
{
private const int MaxPath = 256;
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct Shfileinfo
{
private const int Namesize = 80;
public readonly IntPtr hIcon;
private readonly int iIcon;
private readonly uint dwAttributes;
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst = MaxPath)]
private readonly string szDisplayName;
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst = Namesize)]
private readonly string szTypeName;
};
public const uint ShgfiIcon = 0x000000100; // get icon
public const uint ShgfiLinkoverlay = 0x000008000; // put a link overlay on icon
public const uint ShgfiLargeicon = 0x000000000; // get large icon
public const uint ShgfiSmallicon = 0x000000001; // get small icon
public const uint ShgfiUsefileattributes = 0x000000010; // use passed dwFileAttribute
public const uint FileAttributeNormal = 0x00000080;
[DllImport("Shell32.dll")]
public static extern IntPtr SHGetFileInfo(
string pszPath,
uint dwFileAttributes,
ref Shfileinfo psfi,
uint cbFileInfo,
uint uFlags
);
}
/// <summary>
/// Wraps necessary functions imported from User32.dll. Code courtesy of MSDN Cold Rooster Consulting example.
/// </summary>
static class User32
{
/// <summary>
/// Provides access to function required to delete handle. This method is used internally
/// and is not required to be called separately.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hIcon">Pointer to icon handle.</param>
/// <returns>N/A</returns>
[DllImport("User32.dll")]
public static extern int DestroyIcon(IntPtr hIcon);
}
}

It can be done much simpler:
System.Drawing.Icon.ExtractAssociatedIcon("<fullPath>");
Important note: it will throw an exception if the file does not exists so worth to add validation.

Like #astef I also needed to use this for WPF, however I did require the Icons for Folders.
Since Drives and Folders don't have an extension, I utilized DirectoryInfo to determine which one is which.
For folders I always use its Closed Icon, you could however easily extend this to take Open or Closed into account.
/// <summary>
/// Internals are mostly from here: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/2532/Obtaining-and-managing-file-and-folder-icons-using
/// Caches all results.
/// </summary>
public static class IconManager
{
private static readonly Dictionary<string, ImageSource> _smallIconCache = new Dictionary<string, ImageSource>();
private static readonly Dictionary<string, ImageSource> _largeIconCache = new Dictionary<string, ImageSource>();
/// <summary>
/// Get an icon for a given filename
/// </summary>
/// <param name="fileName">any filename</param>
/// <param name="large">16x16 or 32x32 icon</param>
/// <returns>null if path is null, otherwise - an icon</returns>
public static ImageSource FindIconForFilename(string fileName, bool large)
{
DirectoryInfo di = new DirectoryInfo(fileName);
string extension = di.Extension;
if (extension == null)
return null;
if (extension == string.Empty && di.Root.FullName == di.FullName) {
extension = "ROOT";
}
if (extension == string.Empty && di.Attributes.HasFlag(FileAttributes.Directory)) {
extension = "FOLDER";
} else {
if (di.Attributes.HasFlag(FileAttributes.Directory) && extension != "ROOT") {
extension = "FOLDER";
}
}
var cache = large ? _largeIconCache : _smallIconCache;
ImageSource icon;
if (cache.TryGetValue(extension, out icon))
return icon;
if (di.Attributes.HasFlag(FileAttributes.Directory) && extension != "ROOT") {
icon = IconReader.GetFolderIcon(fileName, large ? IconReader.IconSize.Large : IconReader.IconSize.Small, IconReader.FolderType.Closed).ToImageSource();
} else {
icon = IconReader.GetFileIcon(fileName, large ? IconReader.IconSize.Large : IconReader.IconSize.Small, false).ToImageSource();
}
if (extension != "ROOT") cache.Add(extension, icon);
return icon;
}
/// <summary>
/// http://stackoverflow.com/a/6580799/1943849
/// </summary>
static ImageSource ToImageSource(this System.Drawing.Icon icon)
{
var imageSource = Imaging.CreateBitmapSourceFromHIcon(
icon.Handle,
Int32Rect.Empty,
BitmapSizeOptions.FromEmptyOptions());
return imageSource;
}
/// <summary>
/// Provides static methods to read system icons for both folders and files.
/// </summary>
/// <example>
/// <code>IconReader.GetFileIcon("c:\\general.xls");</code>
/// </example>
static class IconReader
{
/// <summary>
/// Options to specify the size of icons to return.
/// </summary>
public enum IconSize
{
/// <summary>
/// Specify large icon - 32 pixels by 32 pixels.
/// </summary>
Large = 0,
/// <summary>
/// Specify small icon - 16 pixels by 16 pixels.
/// </summary>
Small = 1
}
/// <summary>
/// Returns an icon for a given file - indicated by the name parameter.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="name">Pathname for file.</param>
/// <param name="size">Large or small</param>
/// <param name="linkOverlay">Whether to include the link icon</param>
/// <returns>System.Drawing.Icon</returns>
public static System.Drawing.Icon GetFileIcon(string name, IconSize size, bool linkOverlay)
{
var shfi = new Shell32.SHFILEINFO();
var flags = Shell32.SHGFI_ICON;
if (linkOverlay) flags += Shell32.SHGFI_LINKOVERLAY;
/* Check the size specified for return. */
if (IconSize.Small == size)
flags += Shell32.SHGFI_SMALLICON;
else
flags += Shell32.SHGFI_SMALLICON;
Shell32.SHGetFileInfo(name,
Shell32.FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,
ref shfi,
(uint)Marshal.SizeOf(shfi),
flags);
// Copy (clone) the returned icon to a new object, thus allowing us to clean-up properly
var icon = (System.Drawing.Icon)System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle(shfi.hIcon).Clone();
User32.DestroyIcon(shfi.hIcon); // Cleanup
return icon;
}
/// <summary>
/// Options to specify whether folders should be in the open or closed state.
/// </summary>
public enum FolderType
{
/// <summary>
/// Specify open folder.
/// </summary>
Open = 0,
/// <summary>
/// Specify closed folder.
/// </summary>
Closed = 1
}
/// <summary>
/// Used to access system folder icons.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="size">Specify large or small icons.</param>
/// <param name="folderType">Specify open or closed FolderType.</param>
/// <returns>System.Drawing.Icon</returns>
public static System.Drawing.Icon GetFolderIcon(string name, IconSize size, FolderType folderType)
{
// Need to add size check, although errors generated at present!
uint flags = Shell32.SHGFI_ICON | Shell32.SHGFI_SYSICONINDEX;
if (FolderType.Open == folderType) {
flags += Shell32.SHGFI_OPENICON;
}
if (IconSize.Small == size) {
flags += Shell32.SHGFI_SMALLICON;
} else {
flags += Shell32.SHGFI_LARGEICON;
}
// Get the folder icon
Shell32.SHFILEINFO shfi = new Shell32.SHFILEINFO();
Shell32.SHGetFileInfo(name,
Shell32.FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY,
ref shfi,
(uint)System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.SizeOf(shfi),
flags);
System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle(shfi.hIcon); // Load the icon from an HICON handle
// Now clone the icon, so that it can be successfully stored in an ImageList
System.Drawing.Icon icon = (System.Drawing.Icon)System.Drawing.Icon.FromHandle(shfi.hIcon).Clone();
User32.DestroyIcon(shfi.hIcon); // Cleanup
return icon;
}
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Wraps necessary Shell32.dll structures and functions required to retrieve Icon Handles using SHGetFileInfo. Code
/// courtesy of MSDN Cold Rooster Consulting case study.
/// </summary>
public class Shell32
{
public const int MAX_PATH = 256;
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct SHITEMID
{
public ushort cb;
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPArray)]
public byte[] abID;
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct ITEMIDLIST
{
public SHITEMID mkid;
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct BROWSEINFO
{
public IntPtr hwndOwner;
public IntPtr pidlRoot;
public IntPtr pszDisplayName;
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPTStr)]
public string lpszTitle;
public uint ulFlags;
public IntPtr lpfn;
public int lParam;
public IntPtr iImage;
}
// Browsing for directory.
public const uint BIF_RETURNONLYFSDIRS = 0x0001;
public const uint BIF_DONTGOBELOWDOMAIN = 0x0002;
public const uint BIF_STATUSTEXT = 0x0004;
public const uint BIF_RETURNFSANCESTORS = 0x0008;
public const uint BIF_EDITBOX = 0x0010;
public const uint BIF_VALIDATE = 0x0020;
public const uint BIF_NEWDIALOGSTYLE = 0x0040;
public const uint BIF_USENEWUI = (BIF_NEWDIALOGSTYLE | BIF_EDITBOX);
public const uint BIF_BROWSEINCLUDEURLS = 0x0080;
public const uint BIF_BROWSEFORCOMPUTER = 0x1000;
public const uint BIF_BROWSEFORPRINTER = 0x2000;
public const uint BIF_BROWSEINCLUDEFILES = 0x4000;
public const uint BIF_SHAREABLE = 0x8000;
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct SHFILEINFO
{
public const int NAMESIZE = 80;
public IntPtr hIcon;
public int iIcon;
public uint dwAttributes;
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst = MAX_PATH)]
public string szDisplayName;
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst = NAMESIZE)]
public string szTypeName;
};
public const uint SHGFI_ICON = 0x000000100; // get icon
public const uint SHGFI_DISPLAYNAME = 0x000000200; // get display name
public const uint SHGFI_TYPENAME = 0x000000400; // get type name
public const uint SHGFI_ATTRIBUTES = 0x000000800; // get attributes
public const uint SHGFI_ICONLOCATION = 0x000001000; // get icon location
public const uint SHGFI_EXETYPE = 0x000002000; // return exe type
public const uint SHGFI_SYSICONINDEX = 0x000004000; // get system icon index
public const uint SHGFI_LINKOVERLAY = 0x000008000; // put a link overlay on icon
public const uint SHGFI_SELECTED = 0x000010000; // show icon in selected state
public const uint SHGFI_ATTR_SPECIFIED = 0x000020000; // get only specified attributes
public const uint SHGFI_LARGEICON = 0x000000000; // get large icon
public const uint SHGFI_SMALLICON = 0x000000001; // get small icon
public const uint SHGFI_OPENICON = 0x000000002; // get open icon
public const uint SHGFI_SHELLICONSIZE = 0x000000004; // get shell size icon
public const uint SHGFI_PIDL = 0x000000008; // pszPath is a pidl
public const uint SHGFI_USEFILEATTRIBUTES = 0x000000010; // use passed dwFileAttribute
public const uint SHGFI_ADDOVERLAYS = 0x000000020; // apply the appropriate overlays
public const uint SHGFI_OVERLAYINDEX = 0x000000040; // Get the index of the overlay
public const uint FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY = 0x00000010;
public const uint FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL = 0x00000080;
[DllImport("Shell32.dll")]
public static extern IntPtr SHGetFileInfo(
string pszPath,
uint dwFileAttributes,
ref SHFILEINFO psfi,
uint cbFileInfo,
uint uFlags
);
}
/// <summary>
/// Wraps necessary functions imported from User32.dll. Code courtesy of MSDN Cold Rooster Consulting example.
/// </summary>
static class User32
{
/// <summary>
/// Provides access to function required to delete handle. This method is used internally
/// and is not required to be called separately.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hIcon">Pointer to icon handle.</param>
/// <returns>N/A</returns>
[DllImport("User32.dll")]
public static extern int DestroyIcon(IntPtr hIcon);
}
}

Fade in from side of screen

I am trying to make a simple sidebar which will slide in and out from the left side of the desktop. This is my code at the moment, but it doesn't actually work, and I fear it may be inefficient.
private void fadeIn()
{
if (this.Width == 1)
while (this.Size.Width < 36)
{
this.Size = new Size(this.Size.Width + 1, Screen.PrimaryScreen.Bounds.Width - this.Width);
System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(2);
this.Invalidate();
Application.DoEvents();
}
}
private void fadeOut()
{
if (this.Width == 36)
while (this.Size.Width > 1)
{
this.Size = new Size(this.Size.Width - 1, Screen.PrimaryScreen.Bounds.Width - this.Width);
System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(2);
this.Invalidate();
Application.DoEvents();
}
}
Hopefuly someone may be able to help me with this. It should be fairly simple.

I think your question about zooming form with fading, if yes you can use this class:
using System;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
namespace formAnimation
{
/// <summary>
/// Win32 implementation to show / hide a window with animation.
/// </summary>
public class WinAPI
{
/// <summary>
/// Animates the window from left to right. This flag can be used with roll or slide animation.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_HOR_POSITIVE = 0X1;
/// <summary>
/// Animates the window from right to left. This flag can be used with roll or slide animation.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_HOR_NEGATIVE = 0X2;
/// <summary>
/// Animates the window from top to bottom. This flag can be used with roll or slide animation.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_VER_POSITIVE = 0X4;
/// <summary>
/// Animates the window from bottom to top. This flag can be used with roll or slide animation.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_VER_NEGATIVE = 0X8;
/// <summary>
/// Makes the window appear to collapse inward if AW_HIDE is used or expand outward if the AW_HIDE is not used.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_CENTER = 0X10;
/// <summary>
/// Hides the window. By default, the window is shown.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_HIDE = 0X10000;
/// <summary>
/// Activates the window.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_ACTIVATE = 0X20000;
/// <summary>
/// Uses slide animation. By default, roll animation is used.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_SLIDE = 0X40000;
/// <summary>
/// Uses a fade effect. This flag can be used only if hwnd is a top-level window.
/// </summary>
public const int AW_BLEND = 0X80000;
/// <summary>
/// Animates a window.
/// </summary>
[DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet=CharSet.Auto)]
public static extern int AnimateWindow (IntPtr hwand , int dwTime , int dwFlags) ;
}
}
And then you can write little code to animate the form like this:
WinAPI.AnimateWindow (this.Handle, animationTime, flags);
If you like to see simple demo of using this code download this open source code from here

How do I write Powershell Wrapper in C#?

I'm trying to write general interactive shell wrapper class from c#/.Net using CreateProcess() for Dos, Powershell, Plink, etc, and I've found the article Why does StandardOutput.Read() block when StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput is set to true? to write wrapper classes which redirect child process's stdin/stdout for getting powershell command execution output. As he directed, I got his source code from http://sixfeetsix.blogspot.com/2012/08/interacting-with-sub-processed-shell-in.html. However, any command line execution such as plink.exe, cmd.exe works great for redirection of stdin/stdout but powershell.exe doesn't get me the input/output correctly. It looks like powershell.exe doesn't inherit from parant process and thread for pipe. Would you give me any feedbacks for getting retValue as of "get-help" powershell command successfully?
When I run "dir" command from DosShell, it returns the output of dos command "dir" successfully. However, Powershell doesn't return "get-help" command from powershell prompt.
using System;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Collections;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Threading;
using System.Reflection;
using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
using System.Diagnostics;
namespace PowershellWrapperPOC
{
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
StringBuilder testOutput = new StringBuilder();
string retValue = null;
DosShell ds = new DosShell();
retValue = ds.Start(#"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k", #"C:\Windows\System32\");
testOutput.Append(retValue.ToString());
retValue = ds.SendAndReceive("dir");
testOutput.Append(retValue.ToString());
ds.Terminate();
Debug.Print(testOutput.ToString());
testOutput = new StringBuilder();
PowerShell ps = new PowerShell();
retValue = ps.Start(#"C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe", #"C:\Windows\System32\");
testOutput.Append(retValue.ToString());
retValue = ps.SendAndReceive("get-help");
testOutput.Append(retValue.ToString());
ps.Terminate();
Debug.Print(testOutput.ToString());
}
}
public class PowerShell : CommonShell
{
public PowerShell()
{
base.SetPrintSendCommand(false);
base.SetEncoding("utf8");
base.SetExitCommand("exit");
base.SetPrompts("> ; ");
}
}
public class DosShell : CommonShell
{
public DosShell()
{
base.SetPrintSendCommand(false);
base.SetEncoding("utf8");
base.SetExitCommand("exit");
base.SetPrompts(">");
}
}
public class CommonShell : ShellProcess
{
private StringBuilder _strOutput;
private StringBuilder _strLastOutput;
private static string _escapeCharsPattern = "[\\[|\\(][0-9;?]*[^0-9;]";
private int _timeout;
public CommonShell()
{
_strOutput = new StringBuilder();
_strLastOutput = new StringBuilder();
}
public bool RemoveEscChars
{
get;
set;
}
protected override string Prompt
{
get;
set;
}
protected override string ExitCommand
{
get;
set;
}
protected override Encoding Encoding
{
get;
set;
}
public bool PrintSendCommand
{
get;
set;
}
new public string Start(string applicationName, string workDirectory)
{
if (PrintSendCommand == true)
{
_strOutput.Append(applicationName + "\r\n");
_strLastOutput.Append(applicationName + "\r\n");
}
var results = base.Start(applicationName, workDirectory);
// if remove esc chars?
if (RemoveEscChars == true)
{
string str = results.Item3;
str = Regex.Replace(str, _escapeCharsPattern, "");
_strOutput.Append(str);
_strLastOutput.Append(str);
}
else
{
_strOutput.Append(results.Item3);
_strLastOutput.Append(results.Item3);
}
return _strLastOutput.ToString();
}
new public string SendAndReceive(string toSend)
{
_strLastOutput = new StringBuilder();
if (PrintSendCommand == true)
{
_strLastOutput.Append(toSend + "\r\n");
_strOutput.Append(toSend + "\r\n");
}
// Wait forever till getting the expected prompt
var results = base.SendAndReceive(toSend + "\r\n");
// if remove esc chars?
if (RemoveEscChars == true)
{
string str = results.Item3;
str = Regex.Replace(str, _escapeCharsPattern, "");
_strOutput.Append(str);
_strLastOutput.Append(str);
}
else
{
_strOutput.Append(results.Item3);
_strLastOutput.Append(results.Item3);
}
return _strLastOutput.ToString();
}
public void SetPrompts(string prompt)
{
var enc = this.Encoding;
byte[] utfBytes = enc.GetBytes(prompt);
Prompt = enc.GetString(utfBytes);
}
public void SetEncoding(string enc)
{
string l_enc = enc.ToLower();
switch (l_enc)
{
case "utf8":
this.Encoding = Encoding.UTF8;
break;
case "utf7":
this.Encoding = Encoding.UTF7;
break;
case "utf32":
this.Encoding = Encoding.UTF32;
break;
case "ascii":
this.Encoding = Encoding.ASCII;
break;
default:
return;
}
}
public void SetExitCommand(string command)
{
ExitCommand = command;
}
public void SetPrintSendCommand(bool bPrintSendCommand)
{
PrintSendCommand = bPrintSendCommand;
}
public void SetRemoveEscChars(bool bRemove)
{
RemoveEscChars = bRemove;
}
public void SetTimeout(int timeout)
{
this._timeout = timeout;
}
public void Flush()
{
_strOutput = new StringBuilder();
_strLastOutput = new StringBuilder();
}
public string GetLastOutput()
{
return _strLastOutput.ToString();
}
public string GetOutput()
{
return _strLastOutput.ToString();
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Kernel32 Marshaling
/// </summary>
public static class Kernel32
{
/// <summary>
/// HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT
///
/// If this flag is set, a child process created with the bInheritHandles parameter of CreateProcess set to TRUE will inherit the object handle.
///
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms724935(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
public const int HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT = 1;
/// <summary>
/// STARTF_USESTDHANDLES
///
/// The hStdInput, hStdOutput, and hStdError members contain additional information.
/// If this flag is specified when calling one of the process creation functions, the handles must be inheritable and the function's
/// bInheritHandles parameter must be set to TRUE. For more information, see Handle Inheritance.
///
/// If this flag is specified when calling the GetStartupInfo function, these members are either the handle value specified during
/// process creation or INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE.
///
/// Handles must be closed with CloseHandle when they are no longer needed.
/// This flag cannot be used with STARTF_USEHOTKEY.
///
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms686331(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 STARTF_USESTDHANDLES = 0x00000100;
/// <summary>
/// STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW
///
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms686331(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW = 0x00000001;
/// <summary>
/// SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES
/// </summary>
public struct SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES
{
/// <summary>
/// The size, in bytes, of this structure. Set this value to the size of the SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES structure.
/// </summary>
public int length;
/// <summary>
/// A pointer to a SECURITY_DESCRIPTOR structure that controls access to the object.
/// If the value of this member is NULL, the object is assigned the default security descriptor associated with the access token of the calling process.
/// This is not the same as granting access to everyone by assigning a NULL discretionary access control list (DACL).
/// By default, the default DACL in the access token of a process allows access only to the user represented by the access token.
///
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa379560(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
public IntPtr lpSecurityDescriptor;
/// <summary>
/// A Boolean value that specifies whether the returned handle is inherited when a new process is created.
/// If this member is TRUE, the new process inherits the handle.
/// </summary>
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public bool bInheritHandle;
}
/// <summary>
/// STARTUPINFO
/// </summary>
public struct STARTUPINFO
{
/// <summary>
/// The size of the structure, in bytes.
/// </summary>
public uint cb;
/// <summary>
/// Reserved; must be NULL.
/// </summary>
public string lpReserved;
/// <summary>
/// The name of the desktop, or the name of both the desktop and window station for this process.
/// A backslash in the string indicates that the string includes both the desktop and window station names.
/// </summary>
public string lpDesktop;
/// <summary>
/// For console processes, this is the title displayed in the title bar if a new console window is created.
/// If NULL, the name of the executable file is used as the window title instead.
/// This parameter must be NULL for GUI or console processes that do not create a new console window.
/// </summary>
public string lpTitle;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USEPOSITION, this member is the x offset of the upper left corner of a window if a new window is created, in pixels.
/// Otherwise, this member is ignored.
///
/// The offset is from the upper left corner of the screen. For GUI processes, the specified position is used the first time the new process calls
/// CreateWindow to create an overlapped window if the x parameter of CreateWindow is CW_USEDEFAULT.
/// </summary>
public uint dwX;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USEPOSITION, this member is the y offset of the upper left corner of a window if a new window is created, in pixels.
/// Otherwise, this member is ignored.
///
/// The offset is from the upper left corner of the screen. For GUI processes, the specified position is used the first time the new process calls
/// CreateWindow to create an overlapped window if the y parameter of CreateWindow is CW_USEDEFAULT.
/// </summary>
public uint dwY;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USESIZE, this member is the width of the window if a new window is created, in pixels.
/// Otherwise, this member is ignored.
///
/// For GUI processes, this is used only the first time the new process calls CreateWindow to create an overlapped window
/// if the nWidth parameter of CreateWindow is CW_USEDEFAULT.
/// </summary>
public uint dwXSize;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USESIZE, this member is the height of the window if a new window is created, in pixels.
/// Otherwise, this member is ignored.
///
/// For GUI processes, this is used only the first time the new process calls CreateWindow to create an overlapped window
/// if the nHeight parameter of CreateWindow is CW_USEDEFAULT.
/// </summary>
public uint dwYSize;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USECOUNTCHARS, if a new console window is created in a console process,
/// this member specifies the screen buffer width, in character columns. Otherwise, this member is ignored.
/// </summary>
public uint dwXCountChars;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USECOUNTCHARS, if a new console window is created in a console process,
/// this member specifies the screen buffer height, in character rows. Otherwise, this member is ignored.
/// </summary>
public uint dwYCountChars;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USEFILLATTRIBUTE, this member is the initial text and background colors
/// if a new console window is created in a console application. Otherwise, this member is ignored.
///
/// This value can be any combination of the following values:
/// FOREGROUND_BLUE, FOREGROUND_GREEN, FOREGROUND_RED, FOREGROUND_INTENSITY, BACKGROUND_BLUE, BACKGROUND_GREEN,
/// BACKGROUND_RED, and BACKGROUND_INTENSITY. For example, the following combination of values produces red text on a white background:
///
/// FOREGROUND_RED| BACKGROUND_RED| BACKGROUND_GREEN| BACKGROUND_BLUE
/// </summary>
public uint dwFillAttribute;
/// <summary>
/// A bitfield that determines whether certain STARTUPINFO members are used when the process creates a window.
/// This member can be one or more of the following values.
///
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms686331(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
public uint dwFlags;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW, this member can be any of the values that can be specified in the nCmdShow parameter for the
/// ShowWindow function, except for SW_SHOWDEFAULT. Otherwise, this member is ignored.
///
/// For GUI processes, the first time ShowWindow is called, its nCmdShow parameter is ignored wShowWindow specifies the default value.
/// In subsequent calls to ShowWindow, the wShowWindow member is used if the nCmdShow parameter of ShowWindow is set to SW_SHOWDEFAULT.
/// </summary>
public short wShowWindow;
/// <summary>
/// Reserved for use by the C Run-time; must be zero.
/// </summary>
public short cbReserved2;
/// <summary>
/// Reserved for use by the C Run-time; must be NULL.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr lpReserved2;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USESTDHANDLES, this member is the standard input handle for the process.
/// If STARTF_USESTDHANDLES is not specified, the default for standard input is the keyboard buffer.
///
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USEHOTKEY, this member specifies a hotkey value that is sent as the wParam parameter of a
/// WM_SETHOTKEY message to the first eligible top-level window created by the application that owns the process.
/// If the window is created with the WS_POPUP window style, it is not eligible unless the WS_EX_APPWINDOW extended window style is also set.
///
/// For more information, see CreateWindowEx.
///
/// Otherwise, this member is ignored.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hStdInput;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USESTDHANDLES, this member is the standard output handle for the process.
/// Otherwise, this member is ignored and the default for standard output is the console window's buffer.
///
/// If a process is launched from the taskbar or jump list, the system sets hStdOutput to a handle to the monitor
/// that contains the taskbar or jump list used to launch the process. For more information, see Remarks.
///
/// Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
/// This behavior was introduced in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hStdOutput;
/// <summary>
/// If dwFlags specifies STARTF_USESTDHANDLES, this member is the standard error handle for the process.
/// Otherwise, this member is ignored and the default for standard error is the console window's buffer.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hStdError;
}
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms684873(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
public struct PROCESS_INFORMATION
{
/// <summary>
/// A handle to the newly created process. The handle is used to specify the process in all functions that perform operations on the process object.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hProcess;
/// <summary>
/// A handle to the primary thread of the newly created process. The handle is used to specify the thread in all functions that perform operations on the thread object.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hThread;
/// <summary>
/// A value that can be used to identify a process. The value is valid from the time the process is created until all handles to the process are closed and the process object is freed; at this point, the identifier may be reused.
/// </summary>
public uint dwProcessId;
/// <summary>
/// A value that can be used to identify a thread. The value is valid from the time the thread is created until all handles to the thread are closed and the thread object is freed; at this point, the identifier may be reused.
/// </summary>
public uint dwThreadId;
}
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms682425(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
/// <param name="lpApplicationName"></param>
/// <param name="lpCommandLine"></param>
/// <param name="lpProcessAttributes"></param>
/// <param name="lpThreadAttributes"></param>
/// <param name="bInheritHandles"></param>
/// <param name="dwCreationFlags"></param>
/// <param name="lpEnvironment"></param>
/// <param name="lpCurrentDirectory"></param>
/// <param name="lpStartupInfo"></param>
/// <param name="lpProcessInformation"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern bool CreateProcess(string lpApplicationName,
string lpCommandLine,
IntPtr lpProcessAttributes,
IntPtr lpThreadAttributes,
[MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)] bool bInheritHandles,
uint dwCreationFlags,
IntPtr lpEnvironment,
string lpCurrentDirectory,
ref STARTUPINFO lpStartupInfo,
out PROCESS_INFORMATION lpProcessInformation);
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms724211(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hObject"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern bool CloseHandle(IntPtr hObject);
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365152(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hReadPipe"></param>
/// <param name="hWritePipe"></param>
/// <param name="lpPipeAttributes"></param>
/// <param name="nSize"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern bool CreatePipe(out IntPtr hReadPipe,
out IntPtr hWritePipe,
ref SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES lpPipeAttributes,
uint nSize);
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365779(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hNamedPipe"></param>
/// <param name="pBuffer"></param>
/// <param name="nBufferSize"></param>
/// <param name="lpBytesRead"></param>
/// <param name="lpTotalBytesAvail"></param>
/// <param name="lpBytesLeftThisMessage"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern unsafe bool PeekNamedPipe(IntPtr hNamedPipe,
IntPtr pBuffer,
int nBufferSize,
IntPtr lpBytesRead,
int* lpTotalBytesAvail,
IntPtr lpBytesLeftThisMessage);
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365467(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hFile"></param>
/// <param name="pBuffer"></param>
/// <param name="nNumberOfBytesToRead"></param>
/// <param name="lpNumberOfBytesRead"></param>
/// <param name="lpOverlapped"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern unsafe bool ReadFile(IntPtr hFile,
void* pBuffer,
int nNumberOfBytesToRead,
int* lpNumberOfBytesRead,
IntPtr lpOverlapped);
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365747(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hFile"></param>
/// <param name="pBuffer"></param>
/// <param name="nNumberOfBytesToWrite"></param>
/// <param name="lpNumberOfBytesWritten"></param>
/// <param name="lpOverlapped"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern unsafe bool WriteFile(IntPtr hFile,
void* pBuffer,
int nNumberOfBytesToWrite,
int* lpNumberOfBytesWritten,
IntPtr lpOverlapped);
/// <summary>
/// http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms724935(v=vs.85).aspx
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hObject"></param>
/// <param name="dwMask"></param>
/// <param name="dwFlags"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
public static extern bool SetHandleInformation(IntPtr hObject, int dwMask, uint dwFlags);
}
public abstract class ShellProcess
{
IntPtr _hChildStdoutR, _hChildStdoutW, _hChildStderrR, _hChildStderrW, _hChildStdinR, _hChildStdinW;
Kernel32.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES _sa, _sa_process, _sa_thread;
Kernel32.STARTUPINFO _si;
Kernel32.PROCESS_INFORMATION _pi;
string _applicationName;
protected abstract string Prompt { get; set; }
protected abstract string ExitCommand { get; set; }
protected abstract Encoding Encoding { get; set; }
static unsafe int Write(IntPtr h, byte[] buffer, int index, int count)
{
int n = 0;
fixed (byte* p = buffer)
{
if (!Kernel32.WriteFile(h, p + index, count, &n, IntPtr.Zero))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
}
return n;
}
static unsafe int Peek(IntPtr h)
{
int n = 0;
if (!Kernel32.PeekNamedPipe(h, IntPtr.Zero, 0, IntPtr.Zero, &n, IntPtr.Zero))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
return n;
}
static unsafe int Read(IntPtr h, byte[] buffer, int index, int count)
{
int n = 0;
fixed (byte* p = buffer)
{
if (!Kernel32.ReadFile(h, p + index, count, &n, IntPtr.Zero))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
}
return n;
}
public virtual void SendCommand(string s)
{
byte[] bytesToWrite = Encoding.GetBytes(s);
Write(_hChildStdinW, bytesToWrite, 0, bytesToWrite.Length);
}
Tuple<string, string, string> ReadToPrompt()
{
StringBuilder strOutput = new StringBuilder();
const int bufferLength = 128;
byte[] buffer = new byte[bufferLength];
int bytesReadCount;
var stdOut = new StringBuilder(4096);
var stdErr = new StringBuilder();
string[] prompts = Prompt.Split(';');
bool foundPrompt = false;
while (!foundPrompt)
{
while (Peek(_hChildStdoutR) > 0)
{
bytesReadCount = Read(_hChildStdoutR, buffer, 0, bufferLength);
stdOut.Append(Encoding.GetString(buffer, 0, bytesReadCount));
strOutput.Append(Encoding.GetString(buffer, 0, bytesReadCount));
}
foreach (string prompt in prompts)
{
if (stdOut.ToString().Contains(prompt))
{
foundPrompt = true;
break;
}
}
//strOutput.Append(stdOut);
while (Peek(_hChildStderrR) > 0)
{
bytesReadCount = Read(_hChildStderrR, buffer, 0, bufferLength);
stdErr.Append(Encoding.GetString(buffer, 0, bytesReadCount));
strOutput.Append(Encoding.GetString(buffer, 0, bytesReadCount));
}
foreach (string prompt in prompts)
{
if (stdErr.ToString().Contains(prompt))
{
foundPrompt = true;
break;
}
}
//strOutput.Append(stdErr);
Thread.Sleep(20);
}
while (Peek(_hChildStderrR) > 0)
{
bytesReadCount = Read(_hChildStderrR, buffer, 0, bufferLength);
stdErr.Append(Encoding.GetString(buffer, 0, bytesReadCount));
strOutput.Append(Encoding.GetString(buffer, 0, bytesReadCount));
}
return new Tuple<string, string, string>(stdOut.ToString(), stdErr.ToString(), strOutput.ToString());
}
public virtual Tuple<string, string, string> SendAndReceive(string toSend)
{
SendCommand(toSend);
return ReadToPrompt();
}
public virtual Tuple<string, string, string> Start(string applicationName, string workDirectory)
{
_sa = new Kernel32.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES
{
bInheritHandle = true,
lpSecurityDescriptor = IntPtr.Zero,
length = Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(Kernel32.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES))
};
_sa.lpSecurityDescriptor = IntPtr.Zero;
_sa_process = new Kernel32.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES
{
bInheritHandle = true,
lpSecurityDescriptor = IntPtr.Zero,
length = Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(Kernel32.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES))
};
_sa_process.lpSecurityDescriptor = IntPtr.Zero;
_sa_thread = new Kernel32.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES
{
bInheritHandle = true,
lpSecurityDescriptor = IntPtr.Zero,
length = Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(Kernel32.SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES))
};
_sa_thread.lpSecurityDescriptor = IntPtr.Zero;
if (!Kernel32.CreatePipe(out _hChildStdoutR, out _hChildStdoutW, ref _sa, 0))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.CreatePipe(out _hChildStderrR, out _hChildStderrW, ref _sa, 0))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.CreatePipe(out _hChildStdinR, out _hChildStdinW, ref _sa, 0))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.SetHandleInformation(_hChildStdoutR, Kernel32.HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.SetHandleInformation(_hChildStderrR, Kernel32.HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.SetHandleInformation(_hChildStdinW, Kernel32.HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
_si = new Kernel32.STARTUPINFO
{
wShowWindow = 0,
dwFlags = Kernel32.STARTF_USESTDHANDLES | Kernel32.STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW,
hStdOutput = _hChildStdoutW,
hStdError = _hChildStderrW,
hStdInput = _hChildStdinR
};
_si.cb = (uint)Marshal.SizeOf(_si);
_pi = new Kernel32.PROCESS_INFORMATION();
if (!Kernel32.CreateProcess(null, applicationName, IntPtr.Zero, IntPtr.Zero, true, 0, IntPtr.Zero, workDirectory, ref _si, out _pi))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
_applicationName = applicationName;
return ReadToPrompt();
}
public void Terminate()
{
SendCommand(ExitCommand);
if (!Kernel32.CloseHandle(_hChildStderrW))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.CloseHandle(_hChildStdoutW))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.CloseHandle(_hChildStdinW))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.CloseHandle(_pi.hProcess))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (!Kernel32.CloseHandle(_pi.hThread))
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
}
}
}

powershell is different. I think you can not simple redirect its input and output. that's why we need to use runspace to get the output object. search "powershell c# example", lots code. here is a simple one:
Calling PowerShell From C#
depends on the powershell you use (exchange powers shell, sharepoint power shell..), you will need to add the correct snapin.

It sounds like you don't want to just call powershell commands from C#, but to act as a powershell host. Being a powershell host allows you to receive the output from commands like Write-Host and Out-String and just have a stream of strings as input and output. Examples of hosts are powershell.exe and powershell_ise.exe, but it can be a lot of work and won't make processing the results of powershell commands easier, only harder. The power of powershell is that the input and output of commands are real objects, not just strings. You can read more about it here.
If you just want to execute some powershell commands and receive their output you would be better of with this here and work with the objects the powershell commands are returning instead of wanting them to be strings. This means you have to stop using commands like Write-Host, Out-String, Format-Table, etc. Those are for formatting, not for processing results.

Is there a way to make a console window flash in the task bar programmatically

Basically I made console app that performs some task that takes a few minutes. I'd like to have it flash in the taskbar to let me know when it's done doing its thing.

Using the answer that #Zack posted and another one to find the handle of a console app I came up with this and it works great.
class Program
{
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool FlashWindowEx(ref FLASHWINFO pwfi);
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct FLASHWINFO
{
public UInt32 cbSize;
public IntPtr hwnd;
public UInt32 dwFlags;
public UInt32 uCount;
public Int32 dwTimeout;
}
public const UInt32 FLASHW_ALL = 3;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Console.WriteLine("Flashing NOW");
FlashWindow(Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainWindowHandle);
Console.WriteLine("Press any key to continue");
Console.ReadKey();
}
private static void FlashWindow(IntPtr hWnd)
{
FLASHWINFO fInfo = new FLASHWINFO();
fInfo.cbSize = Convert.ToUInt32(Marshal.SizeOf(fInfo));
fInfo.hwnd = hWnd;
fInfo.dwFlags = FLASHW_ALL;
fInfo.uCount = UInt32.MaxValue;
fInfo.dwTimeout = 0;
FlashWindowEx(ref fInfo);
}
}

Combining the answer in the question linked in #Zack's comment and getting the hwnd of a console window using this I was able to get it working. This is the class I created:
public static class FlashWindow
{
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool FlashWindowEx(ref FLASHWINFO pwfi);
[DllImport("kernel32.dll")]
static extern IntPtr GetConsoleWindow();
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct FLASHWINFO
{
public UInt32 cbSize;
public IntPtr hwnd;
public UInt32 dwFlags;
public UInt32 uCount;
public UInt32 dwTimeout;
}
public const UInt32 FLASHW_ALL = 3;
public static void Flash()
{
FLASHWINFO fInfo = new FLASHWINFO();
fInfo.cbSize = Convert.ToUInt32(Marshal.SizeOf(fInfo));
fInfo.hwnd = GetConsoleWindow();
fInfo.dwFlags = FLASHW_ALL;
fInfo.uCount = UInt32.MaxValue;
fInfo.dwTimeout = 0;
FlashWindowEx(ref fInfo);
}
}
It doesn't ever stop flashing until it's closed but that wasn't important for my purposes.

I read that it wasn't possible to get the window handle of a console window through any direct means, but it seems to be pretty simple in .NET actually. So, it's pretty much the same as this question:
class Program
{
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool FlashWindowEx(ref FLASHWINFO pwfi);
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct FLASHWINFO
{
public UInt32 cbSize;
public IntPtr hwnd;
public UInt32 dwFlags;
public UInt32 uCount;
public UInt32 dwTimeout;
}
public const UInt32 FLASHW_STOP = 0;
public const UInt32 FLASHW_CAPTION = 1;
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TRAY = 2;
public const UInt32 FLASHW_ALL = 3;
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TIMER = 4;
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TIMERNOFG = 12;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Give you a few seconds to alt-tab away :)
Thread.Sleep(2000);
// Flash on the task bar, until the window becomes the foreground window.
// Constants for other behaviors are defined above.
FLASHWINFO fInfo = new FLASHWINFO();
fInfo.cbSize = Convert.ToUInt32(Marshal.SizeOf(fInfo));
fInfo.hwnd = Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainWindowHandle;
fInfo.dwFlags = FLASHW_TRAY | FLASHW_TIMERNOFG;
fInfo.uCount = UInt32.MaxValue;
fInfo.dwTimeout = 0;
FlashWindowEx(ref fInfo);
// Wait for input so the app doesn't finish right away.
Console.ReadLine();
}
}

I looked into the issue #Davy8 had in which the flashing doesn't stop. The solution was pretty simple, just pass the FLASHW_STOP constant. To show this, I further augmented #Davy8's static class to include a StopFlashing static function. I also decided to add comments based on the Microsoft Documentation such that it is easy to see why these are applied in C#.
/// <summary>
/// Class for flashing a console window
/// <see cref="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/api/winuser/ns-winuser-flashwinfo"/>
/// </summary>
public static class FlashWindow
{
/// <summary>
/// Flashes the specified window. It does not change the active state of the window.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="pwfi">FLASHWINFO</param>
/// <see cref="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/api/winuser/nf-winuser-flashwindowex"/>
/// <returns>If the window caption was drawn as active before the call, the return value is nonzero. Otherwise, the return value is zero.</returns>
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool FlashWindowEx(ref FLASHWINFO pwfi);
/// <summary>
/// Retrieves the window handle used by the console associated with the calling process.
/// </summary>
/// <see cref="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/console/getconsolewindow"/>
/// <returns>The return value is a handle to the window used by the console associated with the calling process or NULL if there is no such associated console.</returns>
[DllImport("kernel32.dll")]
static extern IntPtr GetConsoleWindow();
/// <summary>
/// Contains the flash status for a window and the number of times the system should flash the window.
/// <see cref="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/api/winuser/ns-winuser-flashwinfo"/>
/// </summary>
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct FLASHWINFO
{
/// <summary>
/// The size of the structure, in bytes
/// </summary>
public UInt32 cbSize;
/// <summary>
/// A handle to the window to be flashed. The window can be either opened or minimized.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hwnd;
/// <summary>
/// The flash status. This parameter can be one or more of the following values.
/// </summary>
public UInt32 dwFlags;
/// <summary>
/// The number of times to flash the window.
/// </summary>
public UInt32 uCount;
/// <summary>
/// The rate at which the window is to be flashed, in milliseconds. If dwTimeout is zero, the function uses the default cursor blink rate.
/// </summary>
public UInt32 dwTimeout;
}
/// <summary>
/// Flash both the window caption and taskbar button. This is equivalent to setting the FLASHW_CAPTION | FLASHW_TRAY flags.
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 FLASHW_ALL = 0x00000003;
/// <summary>
/// Flash the window caption.
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 FLASHW_CAPTION = 0x00000001;
/// <summary>
/// Stop flashing. The system restores the window to its original state.
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 FLASHW_STOP = 0x00000004;
/// <summary>
/// Flash continuously, until the FLASHW_STOP flag is set.
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TIMER = 4;
/// <summary>
/// Flash continuously until the window comes to the foreground.
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TIMERNOFG = 0x0000000C;
/// <summary>
/// Flash the taskbar button.
/// </summary>
public const UInt32 FLASHW_TRAY = 0x00000002;
/// <summary>
/// Create an instance of the FLASHWINFO structure
/// </summary>
/// <param name="flashwConstant">One of the provided FLASHW contant values</param>
/// <param name="uCount">uCount to initialize the struct</param>
/// <param name="dwTimeout">dwTimeout to initalize the struct</param>
/// <returns>A fully instantiated FLASHWINFO struct</returns>
private static FLASHWINFO GetFLASHWINFO(UInt32 flashwConstant, UInt32 uCount = UInt32.MaxValue, UInt32 dwTimeout = 0)
{
FLASHWINFO fInfo = new FLASHWINFO
{
hwnd = GetConsoleWindow(),
dwFlags = flashwConstant,
uCount = uCount,
dwTimeout = dwTimeout
};
fInfo.cbSize = Convert.ToUInt32(Marshal.SizeOf(fInfo));
return fInfo;
}
/// <summary>
/// Flashes the console window (continues indefinitely)
/// </summary>
public static void Flash()
{
FLASHWINFO fInfo = GetFLASHWINFO(FLASHW_ALL);
FlashWindowEx(ref fInfo);
}
/// <summary>
/// Stops the flashing of the console window
/// </summary>
public static void StopFlash()
{
FLASHWINFO fInfo = GetFLASHWINFO(FLASHW_STOP);
FlashWindowEx(ref fInfo);
}
}

How to make Taskbar Flash on Lost Focus

I stumbled on this code below and tried to implement it in my WinForm App to help my users as many are very NOT tech-savy.
Unfortunately, it does nothing. It does not generate any errors or anything. It just doesn't make it Flash.
Can anyone offer any insight? I have tried it on Win 7(x64) & Win XP (x86) with the same results on both.
I am calling it like so --> TaskbarFlasher.FlashWindow(this); From my Main Form.
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
private extern static bool FlashWindow(IntPtr hwnd, bool bInvert);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
private extern static IntPtr GetForegroundWindow();
/// <summary>
/// Notifies the user that the application requests attention
/// by flashing the taskbar if the form is not the current window.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="myForm">The form in question.</param>
public static void FlashWindow(Form myForm)
{
// if the current foreground window isn't this window,
// flash this window in task bar once every 1 second
if (GetForegroundWindow() != myForm.Handle)
{
FlashWindow(myForm.Handle, true);
}
}

Nevermind, I figured it out with the Following Links Help --> http://pietschsoft.com/post/2009/01/26/CSharp-Flash-Window-in-Taskbar-via-Win32-FlashWindowEx.aspx
Thanks Chris Pietschmann from a fellow SO Wisconsinite!!
public static class FlashWindow
{
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
private static extern bool FlashWindowEx(ref FLASHWINFO pwfi);
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
private struct FLASHWINFO
{
/// <summary>
/// The size of the structure in bytes.
/// </summary>
public uint cbSize;
/// <summary>
/// A Handle to the Window to be Flashed. The window can be either opened or minimized.
/// </summary>
public IntPtr hwnd;
/// <summary>
/// The Flash Status.
/// </summary>
public uint dwFlags;
/// <summary>
/// The number of times to Flash the window.
/// </summary>
public uint uCount;
/// <summary>
/// The rate at which the Window is to be flashed, in milliseconds. If Zero, the function uses the default cursor blink rate.
/// </summary>
public uint dwTimeout;
}
/// <summary>
/// Stop flashing. The system restores the window to its original stae.
/// </summary>
public const uint FLASHW_STOP = 0;
/// <summary>
/// Flash the window caption.
/// </summary>
public const uint FLASHW_CAPTION = 1;
/// <summary>
/// Flash the taskbar button.
/// </summary>
public const uint FLASHW_TRAY = 2;
/// <summary>
/// Flash both the window caption and taskbar button.
/// This is equivalent to setting the FLASHW_CAPTION | FLASHW_TRAY flags.
/// </summary>
public const uint FLASHW_ALL = 3;
/// <summary>
/// Flash continuously, until the FLASHW_STOP flag is set.
/// </summary>
public const uint FLASHW_TIMER = 4;
/// <summary>
/// Flash continuously until the window comes to the foreground.
/// </summary>
public const uint FLASHW_TIMERNOFG = 12;
/// <summary>
/// Flash the spacified Window (Form) until it recieves focus.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="form">The Form (Window) to Flash.</param>
/// <returns></returns>
public static bool Flash(System.Windows.Forms.Form form)
{
// Make sure we're running under Windows 2000 or later
if (Win2000OrLater)
{
FLASHWINFO fi = Create_FLASHWINFO(form.Handle, FLASHW_ALL | FLASHW_TIMERNOFG, uint.MaxValue, 0);
return FlashWindowEx(ref fi);
}
return false;
}
private static FLASHWINFO Create_FLASHWINFO(IntPtr handle, uint flags, uint count, uint timeout)
{
FLASHWINFO fi = new FLASHWINFO();
fi.cbSize = Convert.ToUInt32(Marshal.SizeOf(fi));
fi.hwnd = handle;
fi.dwFlags = flags;
fi.uCount = count;
fi.dwTimeout = timeout;
return fi;
}
/// <summary>
/// Flash the specified Window (form) for the specified number of times
/// </summary>
/// <param name="form">The Form (Window) to Flash.</param>
/// <param name="count">The number of times to Flash.</param>
/// <returns></returns>
public static bool Flash(System.Windows.Forms.Form form, uint count)
{
if (Win2000OrLater)
{
FLASHWINFO fi = Create_FLASHWINFO(form.Handle, FLASHW_ALL, count, 0);
return FlashWindowEx(ref fi);
}
return false;
}
/// <summary>
/// Start Flashing the specified Window (form)
/// </summary>
/// <param name="form">The Form (Window) to Flash.</param>
/// <returns></returns>
public static bool Start(System.Windows.Forms.Form form)
{
if (Win2000OrLater)
{
FLASHWINFO fi = Create_FLASHWINFO(form.Handle, FLASHW_ALL, uint.MaxValue, 0);
return FlashWindowEx(ref fi);
}
return false;
}
/// <summary>
/// Stop Flashing the specified Window (form)
/// </summary>
/// <param name="form"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
public static bool Stop(System.Windows.Forms.Form form)
{
if (Win2000OrLater)
{
FLASHWINFO fi = Create_FLASHWINFO(form.Handle, FLASHW_STOP, uint.MaxValue, 0);
return FlashWindowEx(ref fi);
}
return false;
}
/// <summary>
/// A boolean value indicating whether the application is running on Windows 2000 or later.
/// </summary>
private static bool Win2000OrLater
{
get { return System.Environment.OSVersion.Version.Major >= 5; }
}
}

Develop Reference

C# (C-Sharp) is a programming language developed by Microsoft that runs on the .NET Framework.

Get user attention without stealing focus - c#

In Windows 7, a progress bar on a form is represented in its taskbar button; you might leverage that. There's also got to be a way to simply highlight the taskbar button, like IM programs do when you get a new message.

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