Subj : Set Console Mode
To   : All
From : Boondock
Date : Mon Mar 01 2021 18:39:42

Hi,
Asking the gurus on here. I've posted a question on Stack Overflow (https://stackoverflow.com/questions/66427281/vb-net-console-use-ansi-sequences -console-virtual-terminal-sequences) but figured I would repost it here.

I am trying to write a console app in VB.NET (VS Studio Community 2019 & .Net framework 4.8)
I cannot get it to display ANSI Escape sequences correctly.
I am aware of [this suggestion](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/16755142/how-to-make-win32-cons ole-recognize-ansi-vt100-escape-sequences  "Especially the Registry Hack") and have applied it. (Makes no difference)
 
I am able to set colour using 
``` vb.net
Console.ResetColor()
Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red
```
and cursor positioning, using
``` vb.net
Console.SetCursorPosition(origCol + x, origRow + y)
Console.Write(s)
```

When I try to do this
```vb.net
Console.WriteLine("\u001b[31mHello World!\u001b[0m")
```

It just prints it out raw without interpreting the ANSI Sequences.

`Console.OutputEncoding = Text.Encoding.XXX` only gives me limited options for XXX, including Ascii, UTF8, 16, 32 and Unicode.

I have gone over [This](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/console/console-virtual-termina l-sequences) article on "Console Virtual Terminal Sequences", which seems to be Microsoft's term for ANSI Codes. This article refers to [setConsoleMode](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/console/setconsolemod e).

There is also this snippet of C, for which I can find no equivalent in vb.net

``` C
// Set output mode to handle virtual terminal sequences
    HANDLE hOut = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);
    if (hOut == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
    {
        return GetLastError();
    }

    DWORD dwMode = 0;
    if (!GetConsoleMode(hOut, &dwMode))
    {
        return GetLastError();
    }

    dwMode |= ENABLE_VIRTUAL_TERMINAL_PROCESSING;
    if (!SetConsoleMode(hOut, dwMode))
    {
        return GetLastError();
    }
```
I'm guessing that one of these two might be the answer to my problem, but I have no idea how to do anything with this info in VB.net.

Help! Please?

Boondock

BoonDock
Pedasi/Panama


.... Documentation - The worst part of programming.

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