Console.Setwindowposition() Method In C#

In this guide, we will explore the Console.SetWindowPosition function in C# along with its syntax and a demonstration.

Introduction

Developers have the ability to determine the exact placement of the console window on the screen using the Console.SetWindowPosition method within C#. This functionality, a part of the Console class within the .NET framework, allows for real-time adjustments to the visual presentation of console-driven applications. By specifying specific horizontal and vertical coordinates, developers can precisely position the console window on the user's screen. This capability significantly improves user interaction, especially in cases where a specific window layout is crucial. Console.SetWindowPosition provides a flexible approach to tailoring the appearance and functionality of C# console applications, ensuring they meet requirements such as readability, compatibility with other on-screen elements, and design preferences.

The <style> code snippet below illustrates a CSS class for a placeholder diagram:

.placeholder-diagram { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #374151 0%, #1f2937 100%); border-radius: 12px; padding: 40px; margin: 20px 0; text-align: center; }
.placeholder-diagram .placeholder-icon { font-size: 3rem; margin-bottom: 10px; }
.placeholder-diagram .placeholder-text { color: #9ca3af; font-size: 1rem; }

This CSS class is designed for creating a visually appealing placeholder diagram.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax:

public static void SetWindowPosition(int left, int top);

It specifies the horizontal distance (in pixels) between the console window and the left edge of the screen.

The top property signifies the vertical placement of the console window (measured in pixels) in relation to the top edge of the screen.

Potential Uses:

There are several uses of the Console.SetWindowPosition function in C#. Some main uses of the Console.SetWindowPosition function are as follows:

• ✅ Customized Layout: Reposition the console window on the display to meet a specific arrangement or design specification.
• ✅ Screen Real Estate Management: Make sure that the console window is situated as close to other displayed on the screen components or apps as possible.
• ✅ Enhanced User Experience: By carefully placing the terminal window in a way to allows for optimal interaction between users, we can improve readability and usability.
• ✅ Applications for numerous Console Windows: These applications allow individuals to dynamically set the locations of numerous console windows by application logic or input from the user.
• ✅ Presentation and Demonstration: Set up console windows to emphasize particular characteristics or materials during demonstrations.
• ✅ Applications for Kiosks: Manage the console window's location in applications for Kiosks to offer a standardized and user-friendly interface.

Example:

Let's consider an instance to demonstrate the Console.SetWindowPosition Method in C#.

using System;
class Program
{
    static void Main ()
    {
        Console.Title = "Positioned Console Window Game";
        Console.SetWindowSize(40, 20);

        int windowLeft = 0;
        int windowTop = 0;

        bool gameRunning = true;
        while (gameRunning)
        {
            Console.Clear();
            Console.SetCursorPosition(0, 0);
            Console.WriteLine($"Use arrow keys to move the window.");
            Console.WriteLine($"Current window position: Left: {windowLeft}, Top: {windowTop}");

            Console.SetWindowPosition(windowLeft, windowTop);

            ConsoleKeyInfo keyInfo = Console.ReadKey(true);
            switch (keyInfo.Key)
            {
                case ConsoleKey.UpArrow:
                    if (windowTop > 0)
                        windowTop--;
                    break;
                case ConsoleKey.DownArrow:
                    if (windowTop < Console.LargestWindowHeight - 1)
                        windowTop++;
                    break;
                case ConsoleKey.LeftArrow:
                    if (windowLeft > 0)
                        windowLeft--;
                    break;
                case ConsoleKey.RightArrow:
                    if (windowLeft < Console.LargestWindowWidth - 1)
                        windowLeft++;
                    break;
                case ConsoleKey.Escape:
                    gameRunning = false;
                    break;
            }
        }

        Console.WriteLine("Game over. Press any key to exit...");
        Console.ReadKey();
    }
}

Output:

Use arrow keys to move the window.
Current window position: Left: 0, Top: 0

Explanation:

1. Setting up the Console:

The console is utilized to modify the title of the control panel window. The title of the control panel window is set as "Positioned Console Window Game".

The dimensions of the console window are set using the Console class, with a width of 40 columns and a height of 20 rows. You can utilize the SetWindowSize method for this purpose.

1. Declaring Variables:

To maintain the position of the console window, we define two integer variables: windowTop and windowLeft.

Setting both window left and window top to 0 indicates the starting position of the window at the top-left corner of the display.

1. Game Play Iteration:

Once the gameRunning boolean is set to false, we enter a while loop (while (gameRunning)). Within this loop, we utilize Console.clean to refresh the terminal screen and restore its visual state.

Utilize the SetCursorPosition function to input game guidelines and details, simultaneously adjusting the cursor location to (0, 0).

The variables windowLeft and windowTop are utilized by the SetWindowPosition function to consistently adjust the position of the command line window.

1. Dealing with User Input:

We utilize the Console to patiently await a keystroke. Employ the ReadKey(true) method to retrieve a single key from the terminal input discreetly.

A switch statement is employed to handle different key inputs:

We decrease the top value of the window when the user presses the up arrow key to scroll the window upwards.

Adjust the window's top position by increasing the value when the user presses the down arrow key to scroll the window downwards.

We adjust the left boundary of the window when the user presses the left arrow key to scroll the window to the left. The window's left position is incremented when the user presses the down arrow key to scroll the window to the right. Subsequently, the gameRunning variable is set to false to terminate the ongoing game loop when the user presses the Escape key on the keyboard.