Console Colour

[Dom]

can someone please help me display text in the console

cout << "Testing";

in a different colour to the default one

[Attila Feher]

Dom wrote:

can someone please help me display text in the console

cout << "Testing";

in a different colour to the default one

C++ does not support colors. Please post this question to a programming
newsgroup dedicated to your platform.

--
Attila aka WW

[David B. Held]

"Attila Feher" <at**********@l mf.ericsson.se> wrote in message
news:bk******** **@newstree.wis e.edt.ericsson. se...

Dom wrote:

can someone please help me display text in the console

cout << "Testing";

in a different colour to the default one

C++ does not support colors.
[...]

No, but C++ is defined by an ANSI standard, it defines
behaviour when outputting to a "C++ console", and ANSI
defines how to make a console render text in different
colors. So in a roundabout way, I don't think it's entirely
off-topic. ;)

Here's a quickie:

cout << "\x1b[31mTesting\x1b[0m\n";

For more codes, Google for +ANSI +color.

Dave

[Thomas Matthews]

David B. Held wrote:

"Attila Feher" <at**********@l mf.ericsson.se> wrote in message
news:bk******** **@newstree.wis e.edt.ericsson. se...

Dom wrote:

can someone please help me display text in the console

cout << "Testing";

in a different colour to the default one

C++ does not support colors.
[...]

No, but C++ is defined by an ANSI standard, it defines
behaviour when outputting to a "C++ console", and ANSI
defines how to make a console render text in different
colors. So in a roundabout way, I don't think it's entirely
off-topic. ;)

Here's a quickie:

cout << "\x1b[31mTesting\x1b[0m\n";

For more codes, Google for +ANSI +color.

Dave

Not again.
See: http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lit...html#faq-15.21

What about platforms that don't have consoles?
There is no requirement that a platform have a console.
If a platform _does_ have a console, there is no requirement that
the console be color. It _could_ be monochromatic and still be
compliant with ANSI C++. There is no requirement that a console
support the ANSI Escape sequences. Many Unix windowing programs,
as well as MS Windows and MacIntosh, don't support the ANSI Escape
sequences for a window.

Always search the FAQ and this newsgroup before posting:
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=co...sa=G&scoring=d

--
Thomas Matthews

C++ newsgroup welcome message:
http://www.slack.net/~shiva/welcome.txt
C++ Faq: http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite
C Faq: http://www.eskimo.com/~scs/c-faq/top.html
alt.comp.lang.l earn.c-c++ faq:
http://www.raos.demon.uk/acllc-c++/faq.html
Other sites:
http://www.josuttis.com -- C++ STL Library book
http://www.sgi.com/tech/stl -- Standard Template Library

[David B. Held]

"Thomas Matthews" <Th************ *************** *@sbcglobal.net > wrote in
message news:3F******** ******@sbcgloba l.net...

[...]
What about platforms that don't have consoles?
What about them? I don't see anyone asking for color
codes for platforms without consoles.
There is no requirement that a platform have a console.
Who said there was?
If a platform _does_ have a console, there is no requirement
that the console be color.
That's all well and good. But the OP didn't ask how to set
color in a console that doesn't support it. Which is probably
a good thing.
It _could_ be monochromatic and still be compliant with
ANSI C++.
Sure, but whose question does this fact answer?
There is no requirement that a console support the ANSI
Escape sequences.
No, but most people who have a console that can support
color have a console that understands ANSI Escape sequences.
And giving an example of one is far more useful to the OP
than telling him that consoles are not required to support
escape sequences.
Many Unix windowing programs, as well as MS Windows
and MacIntosh, don't support the ANSI Escape sequences
for a window.
[...]

And I should hope that the OP either knows that or will
learn it, if in fact, that is important to him.

Dave

[Thomas Matthews]

David B. Held wrote:

"Thomas Matthews" <Th************ *************** *@sbcglobal.net > wrote in
message news:3F******** ******@sbcgloba l.net...

[...]
What about platforms that don't have consoles?

What about them? I don't see anyone asking for color
codes for platforms without consoles.

These guys are getting irratating. Must be that endless September
issue.

_You_ don't understand. I wasn't replying to the OP's post, but
to yours. One of the reasons that color is not in the ANSI C++
specification is because there isn't a standard for color. Also,
placing it into the standard would require that all platforms
support these features. Which leads to my usual rant on color
afficinados.

{Perhaps you should read my rant in Shiva's Welcome.txt below.}

The Problems Of Color
---------------------
So far, color has not been "standardiz ed". That is to say,
there isn't a standard method for representing color on a
computer (platform). There are so many fundamentals which
making a standard difficult. Listed below are some, but
not the only issues, involved with color.

1. Platforms that don't display information.
Many embedded systems do not have displays. They have
no need of displaying information. Many of these can
be found in household appliances as well as motion
controllers. A VCR display does not need to display
in more than one color, neither does a microwave oven.
Color cannot be required for those platforms that have
no need of it.

2. Displays: Vector & Raster {and others}
There is no common display. Some displays are vector
based others are raster. Color representation between
these two types are definitely different.

3. Monochrome displays.
There are many platforms out there that use a monochrome
display, such as photocopiers and DVD players. No need
to represent color on a platform that only supports
monochrome (i.e. one) color.

4. Color representation.
A pixel is a picture element. How many are required to
represent a color (such as aquamarine)? Some platforms
use one pixel per primary color, others have detailed
color information in the pixel. Which one is standard?

5. Bits per pixel.
How many bits per pixel to represent color? Some platforms
use one bit each for Red, Green, and Blue. Others use 8
bits for each color. Some also have bits for Orange and
Purple. What's the standard here? Cheap & small systems
don't have the memory for 8 bits per pixel. What are they
to do?

6. Subtractive or Additive Color?
Should the standard be based on Red, Green and Blue (such as
a display) or Cyan, Magenta and Yellow (like the printers
use)? What is the equivalence? When I was working at Adobe
with their Postscript systems, they had many tables for
conversion between RGB and CMY. They even had customers
that had printers using Orange and Purple.

7. Brilliance, Intensity, Reflection and other stuff.
Color also depends on intensity, and the transparency of
the medium. A picture printed on 20lb linen paper looks
different when printed on a high gloss stiff paper.

8. Color identification and naming.
A while back, many companies, such a Adobe Systems, Kodak,
Pantone, and others were holding joint meetings for a
proposal of color identifiers. For example, what are the
attributes of Mauve? How is Mauve represented on a: RGB
display, ink jet printer, laser jet printer, film recorder,
thermal transfer color printer and a scanner?

There is no requirement that a platform have a console.

Who said there was?

In order for an ANSI standard for color, it must either
require a platform to have a display/console or provide
exclusions for those that don't.

If a platform _does_ have a console, there is no requirement
that the console be color.

That's all well and good. But the OP didn't ask how to set
color in a console that doesn't support it. Which is probably
a good thing.

I wasn't referring to the OP. I was referring your reply
which gave information about an ANSI driver. _I_ know that
color isn't standard. I asked _you_ how to set color on a
platform that doesn't support color, since you have an attitude
that Color is standardized (or at least there is an ANSI
specification for color, which there isn't. See rant above.)

It _could_ be monochromatic and still be compliant with
ANSI C++.

Sure, but whose question does this fact answer?

This is support for the argument that Color isn't in the
ANSI C++ specification. Although the easiest method is
to perform a text search on the electronic form of the
ANSI C++ specification. I'm willing to give in if you can
quote the section that describes color in the C++ standard.

There is no requirement that a console support the ANSI
Escape sequences.

No, but most people who have a console that can support
color have a console that understands ANSI Escape sequences.
And giving an example of one is far more useful to the OP
than telling him that consoles are not required to support
escape sequences.

Actually, referring the OP to a newsgroup that discusses
his/her platform is more helpful. I still haven't found
a requirement for a Window in MS Windows to support the
ANSI Escape Sequences. Last time I played with the Ansi
Escape Sequences, they required a driver be loaded. If
the driver wasn't loaded, the Escape Sequences just looked
like garbage and sometimes killed the application.

Many Unix windowing programs, as well as MS Windows
and MacIntosh, don't support the ANSI Escape sequences
for a window.
[...]

And I should hope that the OP either knows that or will
learn it, if in fact, that is important to him.

Dave

In summary, color and the use of color is not discussed
in this newsgroup, news:comp.lang. c++, nor it brethren
news:comp.lang. c, because it is a platform dependent
issue. There is no mention of how to use color nor
requirements of color in the ISO specification of either
language. Color representation is difficult by itself
due to the many factors involved. Perhaps one day,
there will be a standard for color in which turquoise,
mauve and peach can be displayed on an RGB screen,
LCD display and laser printer all looking the same.
--
Thomas Matthews

C++ newsgroup welcome message:
http://www.slack.net/~shiva/welcome.txt
C++ Faq: http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite
C Faq: http://www.eskimo.com/~scs/c-faq/top.html
alt.comp.lang.l earn.c-c++ faq:
http://www.raos.demon.uk/acllc-c++/faq.html
Other sites:
http://www.josuttis.com -- C++ STL Library book
http://www.sgi.com/tech/stl -- Standard Template Library

[WW]

David B. Held wrote:

"Attila Feher" <at**********@l mf.ericsson.se> wrote in message
news:bk******** **@newstree.wis e.edt.ericsson. se...

Dom wrote:

can someone please help me display text in the console

cout << "Testing";

in a different colour to the default one
C++ does not support colors.
[...]

No, but C++ is defined by an ANSI standard,

No. C++ is defined by an ISO/IEC and ANSI joint standard.
it defines behaviour when outputting
to a "C++ console",
No, it does not. It defines behavior of the standard output stream and has
*absolutely no idea* of any console.
and ANSI
defines how to make a console render text in different
colors.
OK. Then post to a comp.lang.c++.p lus.everything. else.ansi

Here we talk *only* C++. Platfom dependent things should be discussed where
the platform is discussed. Here we discuss the *language*.

BTW my platform has no ANSI terminal. And it has terminal. Wow.
So in a roundabout way, I don't think it's entirely
off-topic. ;)

It is entirely off-topic *and* trolling. (Stating obviously stupid thing
just for the sake of argument.)

--
WW aka Attila

[David B. Held]

"WW" <wo***@freemail .hu> wrote in message
news:bk******** **@phys-news1.kolumbus. fi...

[...]
Here we talk *only* C++. Platfom dependent things
should be discussed where the platform is discussed. Here
we discuss the *language*.
I imagine you saying this part with your nose in the air.
BTW my platform has no ANSI terminal. And it has
terminal. Wow.

That's wonderful. Or not. I'm not sure what your point is.

So in a roundabout way, I don't think it's entirely
off-topic. ;)

It is entirely off-topic *and* trolling. (Stating obviously
stupid thing just for the sake of argument.)

Actually, I was being pragmatic. I would say the self-
appointed "moderators " of this *unmoderated* group are
the trolls. In fact, I would say that c.l.c++.m is better-
moderated than this group, and it's considerably more
lenient. Between you and Mr. Matthews, you have spent
about 5 times more energy saying why color is a taboo
subject in C++ than I did giving the OP a probably useful
reply while redirecting him to other resources. That tells
me that you are less interested in talking about C++ than
you are in policing talk about C++. Since the group is
not moderated, you can't prevent people from asking
questions that are in the FAQ or the newsgroup guidelines
or any other document you choose to cite. So instead
of being a bunch of self-righteous pricks, why don't you
let people who choose to be helpful be helpful, and spend
that time answering more questions?

Dave

[WW]

David B. Held wrote:

"WW" <wo***@freemail .hu> wrote in message
news:bk******** **@phys-news1.kolumbus. fi...

[...]
Here we talk *only* C++. Platfom dependent things
should be discussed where the platform is discussed. Here
we discuss the *language*.
I imagine you saying this part with your nose in the air.

Please keep your posts on the topc of C++. if you whish to exercise your
attempted humor, go to the alt.flame newsgroup.

BTW my platform has no ANSI terminal. And it has
terminal. Wow.

That's wonderful. Or not. I'm not sure what your point is.

You have missed the point. it is not my point. It is yours too. As long
as you use this newsgroup.

So in a roundabout way, I don't think it's entirely
off-topic. ;)

It is entirely off-topic *and* trolling. (Stating obviously
stupid thing just for the sake of argument.)

Actually, I was being pragmatic.

You have been off-topic and trolling...
I would say the self-
appointed "moderators " of this *unmoderated* group are
the trolls.
....and continue trolling.
In fact, I would say that c.l.c++.m is better-
moderated than this group, and it's considerably more
lenient.
Try asking there about color printing and then post an answer with
non-postable terminal characters. I'd really love seeing Francis get you.
Between you and Mr. Matthews, you have spent
about 5 times more energy saying why color is a taboo
subject in C++ than I did giving the OP a probably useful
reply while redirecting him to other resources.
I have spent the time thanx to you off-topic trolling. Shitting is OK you
say - it is part of nature. All right, but then do not wonder if someone
does it in your living room.
That tells
me that you are less interested in talking about C++ than
you are in policing talk about C++.
Certainly. That is why I have worked my ass off for years to get into the
C++ committee, to visit all possible conferences and all the 3 of The C++
Seminar. I *am* interested in talking about C++. That is why I wish that
off-topic troll like yourself would just get out of here and leave me time
to answer/read those posts which are about C++.

You may not have a life I have one. And I would rather spend my short free
time on constructive work in here rather than trying to find on-topic posts
in all the junk.
Since the group is not moderated, you can't
prevent people from asking questions that
are in the FAQ or the newsgroup guidelines
or any other document you choose to cite.
Yes. But if they are not assholes - unlike some - and if they are informed
that they should post their C++ language questions here and the rest
elsewhere they will do so. If they are asshole they keep arguing.
So instead
of being a bunch of self-righteous pricks,
F**k you man.
why don't you
let people who choose to be helpful be helpful, and spend
that time answering more questions?

So why don't you crawl back to whereever you crawl out from and *leave us*
here so that we will *have time* to answer questions because we do not need
to waste it reading your fallacies? If you do not wish to participate in a
C++ language newsgroup then please do not waste thousands of people's time
by trolling.

I have no trouble with people giving redirection and giving also an
off-topic answer if they know it. If you care to look you will see I do it
myself if the answer is short. But I do have trouble with people arguing
the topicality of clearly off-topic things and I do have trouble believing
the good intentions of those. And I do count fallacies like yours that all
ANSI standards belong here.

So decide if you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.
The problem here is that there are some days over 500 posts and many of
those is waste of time to download or look at, because they have nothing to
do with the purpose of this newsgroup. The other problem is people - like
you - who support those instead of trying to keep the volume on a managable
level.

Many C++ experts do not read this newsgroup due to the sheer volume of
off-topic messages. We can all say thanx to those people for that who are
encouraging off-topic threads. Like you.

--
WW aka Attila

[David B. Held]

"WW" <wo***@freemail .hu> wrote in message
news:bk******** **@phys-news1.kolumbus. fi...

[...]
Please keep your posts on the topc of C++.
Why don't you do the same? This thread has degenerated
from a topic that was questionably about C++ to a topic
that is completely unrelated to C++, and you and Mr.
Matthews are primarily responsible.

[...]
Actually, I was being pragmatic.

You have been off-topic and trolling...

I see. So it's more important to bend your will to the
newsgroup gestapo then spend a few lines of text giving
someone a useful pointer. Because being helpful makes
you a "troll". Well, I'd much rather continue this "trolling"
thread and annoy every self-appointed moderator of this
group than stop helping people when it's easy and
convenient to do so. If you don't like that, you are free
to create a moderated newsgroup where you actually
have control over the content.
[...]
Try asking there about color printing and then post an
answer with non-postable terminal characters. I'd really
love seeing Francis get you.
I'm sure you would, because you seem to be sadistic like
that. But frankly, I see numerous threads there that have
little to do with the C++ language itself. Here are some
examples:

Thread safe strings? (as you know, C++ is thread-agnostic)
compiling difference b/w G++ and VC++ (platform-
specific thread)
Protecting or hiding a username and password in C++
(obviously not a C++-specific issue)
Ideas for a midterm and final projects (in C++, but
clearly not a language question)
g007: banning profane language in C++ source code
(not C++-specific)
"frame memory" malapropism? (tangentially related to
C++
IDE for C++ (about as relevant to C++ as color console
output)

Note that even on these questionable threads (which don't
annoy me in the least), even the more "conservati ve"
posters don't go off on tirades about how the topic isn't
100% related to the newsgroup. Basically, people in
c.l.c++.m have better things to worry about.
[...]
I have spent the time thanx to you off-topic trolling.
But you make it sound like I'm the only person trolling
here. I think your posts are also troll-worthy.
Shitting is OK you say - it is part of nature. All right,
but then do not wonder if someone does it in your living
room.
So if I had said this instead of you, would that make me
a troll?
[...]
You may not have a life I have one. And I would rather
spend my short free time on constructive work in here
rather than trying to find on-topic posts in all the junk.
Well, if you had left it alone, you would have seen exactly
two "off-topic" posts in this thread. But now there are 6
such posts, only half of which were written by me. Not
to mention that you spent all the time writing some of them.
So it seems to me that you would rather spend your "short
free time" policing the group and creating more off-topic
nonsense for *other* people to skip over than merely
dealing with the content that interests you. And if the
off-topic content bothers you so much, why don't you just
read c.l.c++.m instead?
[...]
Yes. But if they are not assholes - unlike some - and if
they are informed that they should post their C++
language questions here and the rest elsewhere they will
do so. If they are asshole they keep arguing.
Hmm...all of my posts have a reply...I wonder what that
means?
[...]
F**k you man.
Umm...who's the troll?
[...]
So why don't you crawl back to whereever you crawl out
from and *leave us* here so that we will *have time* to
answer questions because we do not need to waste it
reading your fallacies?
In this thread, I'm the only person who answered a question.
You and Mr. Matthews spent 5 posts saying why I shouldn't
have answered it. If you have less time to answer interesting
questions, whose fault is that?
If you do not wish to participate in a C++ language
newsgroup then please do not waste thousands of people's
time by trolling.
I see. So answering questions constitutes "trolling", but
policing an umoderated group constitutes "participation" .
Wow, the net changes so fast I can't keep up with all the
definitions.
I have no trouble with people giving redirection and giving
also an off-topic answer if they know it. If you care to look
you will see I do it myself if the answer is short. But I do
have trouble with people arguing the topicality of clearly
off-topic things and I do have trouble believing the good
intentions of those.
Oh, you're absolutely right. My whole intention all along was
to bring a flood of off-topic posters to c.l.c++. You caught
me. The answer I gave *was* short, you gave no redirection,
and I never said it was on-topic. Also, you apparently don't
know what a smiley is.
And I do count fallacies like yours that all ANSI standards
belong here.
LOL!! No, that's called an "invalid inference".
So decide if you want to be part of the problem or part of
the solution. The problem here is that there are some days
over 500 posts and many of those is waste of time to
download or look at, because they have nothing to do with
the purpose of this newsgroup.
Ask yourself if any of your posts might fall into that category,
and then ask yourself if you are being "part of the problem or
part of the solution".
The other problem is people - like you - who support those
instead of trying to keep the volume on a managable
level.
Hey, I didn't say: "By all means continue to ask your color-
related questions here." I redirected the OP to a useful
Google search. If there's an unmanageable volume, I'd say
it's because group cops like you double the amount of off-
topic posts.
Many C++ experts do not read this newsgroup due to the
sheer volume of off-topic messages.
They read c.l.c++.m, like you should, if you only want to
see topical messages.
We can all say thanx to those people for that who are
encouraging off-topic threads. Like you.

I defy you to show how I "encouraged " off-topic threads.
Of all the people that have posted after me on this thread,
none of them have asked for further information about
color. And none of them have contributed to C++
discussion either.

Dave