WinForms Applications: Where is console.writeline() output rendered?

Question

I created a windows form solution and in the constructor of a class I called

Console.WriteLine("constructer called")

But I only got the form and not the console.. so where is the output?

or if you start your exe from the console and dont want to change your app manifest to be a console app, here is the real solution: http://www.nerdyhearn.com/blog/157/ — v.oddou, Feb 24 '14 at 09:08

score 90 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 18 '11 at 17:51

90

You should also consider using Debug.WriteLine, that's probably what you're looking for. These statements are written out the trace listeners for your application, and can be viewed in the Output Window of Visual Studio.

Debug.WriteLine("constructor fired");

answered Apr 18 '11 at 17:51

BrandonZeider

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I keep trying this, but nothing ever shows up in the output window except the usual build started build succeeded stuff. – Kyle Delaney Jan 23 '17 at 00:23
1

@KyleDelaney did you switch from "Build" to "Debug" output using the drop down? – Mr. TA Jul 18 '21 at 19:25
@Mr.TA - I don't know, it was over 4 years ago – Kyle Delaney Jul 19 '21 at 21:33
@KyleDelaney What about now? :) – Benjamin Ray Jun 18 '22 at 04:54
Works only in Debug configuration. – watbywbarif Aug 31 '22 at 10:17

Tomas Voracek · Accepted Answer · 2022-11-17T11:12:27.467

78

In project settings set application type as Console. Then you will get Console window AND Windows form.

edited Nov 17 '22 at 11:12

answered Apr 18 '11 at 17:46

Tomas Voracek

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score 20 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 18 '11 at 17:48

20

If you run your application in Visual Studio you can see the console output in the output window.

Debug -> Windows -> Output

Note that the preferable way to output diagnostics data from a WinForms application is to use System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine or System.Diagnostics.Trace.WriteLine as they are more configurable how and where you want the output.

answered Apr 18 '11 at 17:48

Albin Sunnanbo

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How do you configure how and where you want the output? I've gone to the debug options window, and under Debugging > Output Window > General Output Settings, "All debug output" is set to "On," and I still can't get anything to show up in the output window using those methods. – Kyle Delaney Jan 23 '17 at 00:26
@Albin: I do not think this works with a WinForms application. Not sure why your answer was accepted by so many people because this question concerns WinForms (not console) applications running in Visual Studio. – Jazimov Jan 06 '23 at 14:24

score 15 · Answer 4 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:02

As other answers have stated System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine is the right call for debugging messages. But to answer your question:

From a Winforms application you can invoke a console window for interaction like this:

using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

...

void MyConsoleHandler()
{
    if (AllocConsole())
    {
        Console.Out.WriteLine("Input some text here: ");
        string UserInput = Console.In.ReadLine();

        FreeConsole();
    }
}


[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool AllocConsole();

[DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool FreeConsole();

I sometimes use this to raise a command prompt instead of application windows when given certain switches on opening.

There's some more ideas in this similar question if anyone needs it:
What is the Purpose of Console.WriteLine() in Winforms

This is exactly what I've been looking for. Thank you very much for posting this even though nobody specifically asked for it. — Mr. TA, Jul 18 '21 at 19:25

WinForms Applications: Where is console.writeline() output rendered?

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