Tower of Hanoi - 7 - c sharp - 180626Tu

Tower of Hanoi in c#

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(Console application)

Version: 180626Tu

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Long time ago, for the first time, I came to know about 'Tower of Hanoi' puzzle game through a book on 'C/Turbo C' and another book on 'Data structure'. Both these books were in our course and both books were very good.

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Turbo C's that book was and still is . The Waite Group's Turbo C Programming for the PC By (Robert Lafore)

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Data Structure's that book was and still is . Schaum's Outline of THEORY AND PROBLEMS of DATA STRUCTURES Seymour Lipschutz, Ph.D McGRAW-Hill BOOK COMPANY

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In 'C/Turbo C' book there was an example program for playing 'Tower of Hanoi' puzzle game  (Chapter #: 16, Chapter name: C++ and Object-Oriented Programming, Section: Towers of Hanoi) and in 'Data structure' book there  were 2 example algorithms for solving 'Tower of Hanoi' puzzle game (Chapter #: 6, Chapter name: STACKS, QUEUES, RECURSION, Section: 6.7 - TOWERS OF HANOI).

As far as i remember now, then I wrote both examples in 'Turbo C' and enjoyed playing with game as well as with code. That code was simple but good for 'C/Turbo C' learning level. Then time fast forwarded for around a  decade and this time I made 'Tower of Hanoi' puzzle  game in 'HTML / JScript' using beautiful and solid FrontPage. This time Game environment was much advance then before and more colorful also.

Again time fast forwarded for around a decade and this time in memory of my last efforts for 'Tower of Hanoi' I decided to re-make that puzzle game in c#. Because I was making this version in memory of last 2 efforts plus more so this time I made it as (a) 'Console application' and (b) 'Windows Forms application'.

Here in this post, in the following paragraphs, I am sharing 'Console application' version of 'Tower of Hanoi' puzzle game made by me in c#.

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Salient features of application:

This puzzle game is one player console based game. This puzzle game is controlled / played by keyboard keys. What keys are required when, is always displayed on screen. Mostly alphabets and arrow keys are required.

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Screen shots of 'TowerOfHanoi_07' with description:

Following are screen shots of 'TowerOfHanoi_07' at different stages with their description.

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Application on Load:

'TowerOfHanoi_07' console application looks like in the following image when it loads. Author information is displayed on top row. Under that in green rectangle are displayed (a)_Game objective and (b)_Rules. Under that  a prompt is displayed asking user how many disks he/she wants to play with. At the bottom of the screen is status line which displays (a)_Application mode 'Input' meaning application is expecting an input from user and (b)_Status  message (Message tells what User needs to do or what Application is doing at any stage).

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Game started: (Move disk from)

When none '0' (on '0' game quits) number of disks is entered in first screen game starts and following screen is displayed. Second line from top line tells what is expected / required from player. 3rd line form top tells (a) min. numbers of moves required for solving current puzzle and (b) current move number. Under 3rd line 3 towers in red (with selected number of disks on it in yellow colors), blue and green color are displayed. On line under towers game asks for and gets tower name for moving disk from. On status line useful information is displayed.  Pressing 'X' here will end this game and take to first screen.

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Game started: (Move disk to)

In this screen every thing is same as in 'Game started: (Move disk from)' screen except this time game is asking for and getting tower name for moving disk to. On status line useful information is displayed. Pressing 'X' here will end this game and take to first screen.

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Game after some moves:

'TowerOfHanoi_07' will look like in the following image after some moves.

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Game completed:

'TowerOfHanoi_07' looks like in the following image when it is completed. In 3rd line after Move # it is announced that game is completed. On line under tower a message is displayed to congratulate player and also tells in how many moves game is completed and in how much time. Under this line a message is displayed to tell player what to do now. In status line 'Message' field also 'Game completed!' is displayed.

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Game aborted:

'TowerOfHano_07' looks like in the following image when game is aborted by pressing 'X' when it asks for From or To tower. In 3rd line after Move # Aborted is displayed. On line under tower a message is displayed telling that current game is aborted after so many moves and in so much time. On line under this a message is displayed telling user what to do now. In status line in 'Message' field also 'Game aborted.' is displayed.

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Exiting TowerOfHanoi_07:

'TowerOfHanoi_07' looks like in the following image when '0' is pressed in 'get number of towers screen'. In this screen 1st row from top displays author information. Under that in a green rectangle (a)_departing message is displayed (b)_Time spent on game is displayed (c)_A message is displayed telling user what to do now. In status line on bottom of screen after 'Message' field 'Exiting from application . . .' is displayed.

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[Note] During making screen shots of 'TowerOfHanoi_07' and adding water marks in those images I came across a small problem. That problem was that my water marks were in color and they were not looking good to me on black background. So to solve that problem I made a "Windows Forms application"/"WinForms" in c# for changing any/all colors in water mark image to white color. Water marks in images in this post are result of that application.

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Enjoy Complete Source code of application written and compiled in visual studio 2010 Ultimate by me. Download it. Extract it. Read 'ReadMeFirst.txt' file and do as is explained in it.

console barmenu -3- c sharp - 170714Fr

Console BarMenu - 3

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(DOS era text-mode style Colorful Bar-Menu in c#)

Version: 170714Fr

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During the era of DOS 3, creating a bar menu in text or graphic mode was a cutting-edge topic in programming. I vividly remember writing a ".prg" program in dBase III Plus on my institute's PC, which impressed my friends, lab assistants, and teachers. That program was my first attempt at creating a bar menu, and I'm proud to say it was a success. Although I'm not sure if the printout of that program still exists in my archives, I'm not eager to find out also. In memory of that bar menu, I've now recreated that bar menu as a Console project in C#.

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Salient  features of above mentioned c# project are as follows:

(A) Display bar-menu.

(B) Provide menu-item selection mechanism through navigation keys like Up-arrow, Down-arrow, Home, End and Enter keys.

(C) Process menu-item selection and perform action accordingly.

(D) Return back to menu at end of action processed.

(E) Provide mechanism for exiting from 'bar-menu' and application.

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Then I tried and made the above required project. Code for achieving above task is simple and is described as follows.

(1) First menu processing method is called. There must be one such method per menu.

(2) Then from menu processing method menu-driver method is called with information like menu-item-list etc.

(3) Then in menu-driver things happen in following sequence:

(3a) First menu is displayed.

(3b) Then user-input is taken.

(3c) Then user-input is processed based on input key as follows:

(3c1) Navigation key: Selected menuitem index is updated.

(3c2) Enter key: Current menuitem index is selected for returning.

(3c3) Escape key: Menu exit code is selected for returning.

(3c4) If user input is not Escape-Key or Enter-Key go back to step 3a.

(3c5) Menu-driver exits when user-input is Escape-Key or Enter-Key.

(4) Back in menu processing method returned value is processed as follows:

(4a) Respective methods are called according to returned value. On return control goes back to step 2.

(4b) Else menu exits when selection code is Escape-Key.

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Keys used by menu are displayed in menu footer and are described in the following:

Navigation:

Down-arrow key for next menuitem.

Up-arrow key for previous menuitem.

Home key for First menuitem.

End key for last menuitem.

Selection:

Ente key for selecting current menuitem.

Exit:

Escape key for exiting menu.

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Following is the C# code of the project I described above. It is not so simple or easy to understand. But it is full of helpful comments throughout it.

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Code of "Console BarMenu - 3" in Visual C# 2010

using System; using System.Collections.Generic; using System.Linq; using System.Text; namespace ConsoleBarMenu_03 { /// <summary> /// Project: 'ConsoleBarMenu_03' /// Version: 03 /// Created on: 2017 Jul 08 Sat /// Author: Khursheed Fateh /// Email: fateh.khursheed@gmail.com /// Site: https://sites.google.com/view/fateh-khursheed-profiles/home /// Purpose: This application is made in memory of 'Bar menu' code/program I first read in a book on 'dBase III Plus' few decades ago. /// Copyright: /// Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, /// are permitted in any medium without royalty provided the copyright /// notice and this notice are preserved. This file is offered as-is, /// without any warranty. /// </summary> class Program { static string gScreenHeading = "My Food Store"; // Scren heading static Random gRandom = new Random(); // For selecteing random color // Menu Color scheme static ConsoleColor gMenuScreenBackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Blue; static ConsoleColor gMenuScreenForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White; static ConsoleColor gStatusBackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray; static ConsoleColor gMenuOptionBackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkGreen; static ConsoleColor gMenuOptionForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow; static ConsoleColor gMenuOptionSelectedBackgroundColor = gMenuOptionForegroundColor; static ConsoleColor gMenuOptionSelectedForegroundColor = gMenuOptionBackgroundColor; static ConsoleColor gMenuOptionShadowBackgroundColor = gMenuScreenBackgroundColor; static ConsoleColor gMenuOptionShadowForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black; //- Menu Color scheme End /// <summary> /// /// </summary> /// <param name="args"></param> static void Main(string[] args) { // Following settings will hide window scrollbars if any Console.SetBufferSize(80, 25); Console.SetWindowSize(80, 25); MenuMain(); // Call main menu // Set default values. This setting will bring back window scrollbar also. Console.SetBufferSize(80, 300); Console.SetWindowSize(80, 25); Console.ResetColor(); // Reset console colors Console.Clear(); // Clear console screen } /// <summary> /// Main menu /// </summary> static void MenuMain() { bool aKeepLooping = true; // For controling menu loop int aSelectionIndex = 0; // For selected menu item index. At start it will be zero otherwise it will hold current value string aSelectedMenuItemText = ""; // For text of selected menu item string aMenuHeading = "Food items menu"; // For menu heading // Menu items String[] aMenuItems = new String[] { "Bakery & Confectionery Products", "Poultry items", "Dairy products", "Meat products", "Grains and cereals", "Fruits", "Vegetables", "Cooked food", "Canned food", "Fast food", "Sea food" }; Array.Sort<string>(aMenuItems); // Sort menu items. // Process menu in loop do { // Call menu driver aSelectionIndex = MakeMenu(aMenuHeading, aMenuItems, aSelectionIndex); // Display menu and get return value [selected menu item index or Exit flag] if ((aSelectionIndex >= 0) && (aSelectionIndex < aMenuItems.Length)) // Menu item selected? { aSelectedMenuItemText = aMenuItems[aSelectionIndex]; // Get text of selected menu item // Call method based on selected menu item index if (aSelectionIndex == 0) // Selected menu item index is 0? { ProcessSelectionIndex_00(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 1) // Selected menu item index is 1? { ProcessSelectionIndex_01(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 2) // Selected menu item index is 2? { ProcessSelectionIndex_02(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 3) // Selected menu item index in 3? { ProcessSelectionIndex_03(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 4) // Selected menu item index in 4? { ProcessSelectionIndex_04(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 5) // Selected menu item index in 5? { ProcessSelectionIndex_05(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 6) // Selected menu item index in 6? { ProcessSelectionIndex_05(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 7) // Selected menu item index in 7? { ProcessSelectionIndex_05(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 8) // Selected menu item index in 8? { ProcessSelectionIndex_05(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 9) // Selected menu item index in 9? { ProcessSelectionIndex_05(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 10) // Selected menu item index in 10? { ProcessSelectionIndex_05(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } else if (aSelectionIndex == 11) // Selected menu item index in 11? { ProcessSelectionIndex_05(aSelectedMenuItemText); // Process it } } else // ESC key pressed { aKeepLooping = false; // This value will cause loop to terminate } } while (aKeepLooping == true); // Continue loop while value is true } /// <summary> /// Displays and Processes Menu /// </summary> /// <param name="pMenuHeading">Menu heading</param> /// <param name="pMenuItems">Array containing Menu Items</param> /// <param name="pSelectedItemIndex">Index of Selected item. Useful on Callback</param> /// <returns>Returns [Selected menuitem index] or [Exit code]</returns> static int MakeMenu(string pMenuHeading, string[] pMenuItems, int pSelectedItemIndex) { int aColHF = 0; // fOR Start column of Menu Header and Footer int aCol = 0; // For Start column of Menu int aRow = 0; // For Start row of Menu bool aExitMenu = false; // For controlling Menu processing loop int aSelectedItemIndex = pSelectedItemIndex; // For Index of selected menu item ConsoleKeyInfo aCKI; // For user Input for menu Navigation / Exit / Selection etc int aMenuOptionWidthMax = 0; // Fore with of widest menu item int aStringDisplayWidth = 20; // For adding to widest menu item width int aMenuItemCount = pMenuItems.Length; // For total count of items in Menu int aMenuItemDisplayCount = 7; // For Max. number of Menu items to display at a time // For Index of Menu item displayed at top int aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex = (aSelectedItemIndex > (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1)) ? aSelectedItemIndex - (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1) : 0; // Set screen color ConsoleColor aScreenBackgroundColor = gMenuScreenBackgroundColor; ConsoleColor aScreenForegroundColor = gMenuScreenForegroundColor; // Menu footer message describing Key used in this menu string aMenuFooter = "Keys: Navigation [↑, ↓, Home, End] Accept [Return] Exit [Esc]"; int aMenuFHLength = aMenuFooter.Length + 4; // Length of Menu footer text + more Console.CursorVisible = false; // Hide cursor if (pMenuItems.Length < aMenuItemDisplayCount) // Menu item count is less then Number of Menu items to display at a time? { aMenuItemDisplayCount = pMenuItems.Length; // Set Number of Menu items to display at a time count to Menut item count } ClrScr(aScreenBackgroundColor, aScreenForegroundColor); // Clear screen with specified colors Console.WriteLine(gScreenHeading); // Display screen heading Console.Write(new string('-', Console.WindowWidth)); // Display under line across entire screen // Find largest width of Menu item for (int i = 0; i < pMenuItems.Length; i++) { if (aMenuOptionWidthMax < pMenuItems[i].Length) // Stored max. Menu item width is less then this Menu item width? { aMenuOptionWidthMax = pMenuItems[i].Length; // Set this Menu item width to max. Menu item width } } aStringDisplayWidth += aMenuOptionWidthMax; // Add padding width to above found max. Menu item width aColHF = (Console.WindowWidth - aMenuFHLength) / 2; // Calculate start column for displaying Menu Header and Footer aCol = (Console.WindowWidth - aStringDisplayWidth) / 2; // Calculate start column for displaying Menu aRow = (Console.WindowHeight - (aMenuItemDisplayCount * 2)) / 2; // Calculate start row for displaying Menu aRow += 2; // Add 2 to above calculated row for adjusting Menu heading // Display menu Header DisplayLine(aColHF, aRow - 2, StretchAndStuffCenter(pMenuHeading, aMenuFHLength) , aScreenForegroundColor, aScreenBackgroundColor, false); // Displaly menu Footer DisplayLine(aColHF, aRow + (aMenuItemDisplayCount * 2), StretchAndStuffCenter(aMenuFooter, aMenuFHLength), aScreenForegroundColor, aScreenBackgroundColor, false); // Process menu do { // Display menu items, atmost 7 at a time for (int i = 0; i < aMenuItemDisplayCount; i++) { if ((i + aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex) == aSelectedItemIndex) // This Menu item index is equal to Selected Item Index? { // Display selected item DisplayLine(aCol, aRow + (i * 2), StretchAndStuffCenter(pMenuItems[i + aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex], aStringDisplayWidth), gMenuOptionSelectedBackgroundColor, gMenuOptionSelectedForegroundColor, true); } else // This Menu item index is not equal to Selected Item Index { // Display other items DisplayLine(aCol, aRow + (i * 2), StretchAndStuffCenter(pMenuItems[i + aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex], aStringDisplayWidth), gMenuOptionBackgroundColor, gMenuOptionForegroundColor, true); } } // Display useful Info in hint bar DisplayStatus(string.Format("Menu item #: {0,-5} {1,3}/{2}, Text: {3} ", ((aSelectedItemIndex == 0) ? "First" : ((aSelectedItemIndex == (pMenuItems.Length - 1)) ? "Last" : "")), aSelectedItemIndex + 1, pMenuItems.Length, pMenuItems[aSelectedItemIndex]), gStatusBackgroundColor, aScreenBackgroundColor); // Get user input from keyboard aCKI = Console.ReadKey(true); //read the keyboard // Process user input switch (aCKI.Key) { // Up arrow pressed case ConsoleKey.UpArrow: if (aSelectedItemIndex > 0) // Selected item index in greater then zero? { aSelectedItemIndex--; // Decrement selected item index if (aSelectedItemIndex < aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex) // Selected item index is less then First displayed Menu item index? { aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex--; // Decrement First displayed Menu item index } } else // Selected item index is not greater then zero { aSelectedItemIndex = (pMenuItems.Length - 1); // Set selected itme index to last Menu item index aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex = aSelectedItemIndex - (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1); // Calculate First displayed Menu item index } break; // Down arrow pressed case ConsoleKey.DownArrow: if (aSelectedItemIndex < (pMenuItems.Length - 1)) // Selected Menu item Index is less then Last Menu item index { aSelectedItemIndex++; // Increment Selected Menu item index if ((aSelectedItemIndex - aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex) > (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1)) // Selected Menu item index is greaer then last Menu item displayed index? { aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex++; // Increment First Menu item displayed index } } else // Selected Menu item Index is greater then Last Menu item index { aSelectedItemIndex = 0; // Set selected Menu item index to First menu item index aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex = 0; // Set First Menu item displayed index to First menu item index } break; // Home key pressed case ConsoleKey.Home: aSelectedItemIndex = 0; // Set selected Menu item index to First menu item index aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex = 0; // Set First Menu item displayed index to First menu item index break; // End key pressed case ConsoleKey.End: aSelectedItemIndex = (pMenuItems.Length - 1); // Set selected Menu item index to Last menu item index aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex = aSelectedItemIndex - (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1); // Calculate First menu item display index break; // PageUp pressed case ConsoleKey.PageUp: // For future use if (aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex > (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1)) // Page # is more then 1? { aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex += (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1); // Decriment one page aSelectedItemIndex += (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1); // Decrement selected item index by one page break; } if (aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex < (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1)) { aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex = 0; // Calculate First menu item display index aSelectedItemIndex = 0; // Set selected Menu item index to Last menu item index } break; // PageDown pressed case ConsoleKey.PageDown: // For future use if (aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex < (pMenuItems.Length - (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1)) ) // Page # is more then 1? { aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex += (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1) + 1; // Decriment one page aSelectedItemIndex += (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1) + 1; // Decrement selected item index by one page break; } if (aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex > (pMenuItems.Length - (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1))) { aTopMenuItemDisplayedIndex = pMenuItems.Length - (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1) - 1; // Calculate First menu item display index aSelectedItemIndex = pMenuItems.Length - (aMenuItemDisplayCount - 1) - 1; // Set selected Menu item index to Last menu item index } break; // Enter key pressed. Current Menu Item is choosen case ConsoleKey.Enter: aExitMenu = true; // Menu processing loop will exit on this value break; // Escape key pressed case ConsoleKey.Escape: aSelectedItemIndex = -1; // No Menu item is choosen aExitMenu = true; // Menu processing loop will exit on this value break; } } while (aExitMenu == false); // Exit or Continue Process menu loop Console.CursorVisible = true; // Make cursor visible again return aSelectedItemIndex; // Returen Selected menu item index } /// <summary> /// Displays a lline of text at giving row, col in given colors with or without shadow /// </summary> /// <param name="pX">Column at which to display line of text</param> /// <param name="pY">Row at which to display line of text</param> /// <param name="pString">String to display</param> /// <param name="pBackColor">Background color for displaying text</param> /// <param name="pForeColor">Foreground color for displaying text</param> /// <param name="pShadow">Draw sgadiw wgeb true</param> static void DisplayLine(int pX, int pY, string pString, ConsoleColor pBackColor, ConsoleColor pForeColor, bool pShadow) { // Display Line of text as specified row, col with specified colors DisplayLine(pX, pY, pString, pBackColor, pForeColor); // Draw shadow under line of text if (pShadow == true) // What to draw shadow under line of text? { ShadowLine(pX, pY, pString.Length); // Draw shadow } } /// <summary> /// Displays a lline of text at giving row, col in given colors /// </summary> /// <param name="pX">Column at which to display line of text</param> /// <param name="pY">Row at which to display line of text</param> /// <param name="pString">String to display</param> /// <param name="pBackColor">Background color for displaying text</param> /// <param name="pForeColor">Foreground color for displaying text</param> static void DisplayLine(int pX, int pY, string pString, ConsoleColor pBackColor, ConsoleColor pForeColor) { // Sve current Console Foreground and Background colors ConsoleColor aBackgroundColorSaved = Console.BackgroundColor; ConsoleColor aForegroundColorSaved = Console.ForegroundColor; Console.BackgroundColor = pBackColor; // Set console background color Console.ForegroundColor = pForeColor; // Set console foreground color Console.SetCursorPosition(pX, pY); // Set cursor position Console.Write("{0}", pString); // Display text // Restore sved current Console Foreground and Background colors Console.BackgroundColor = aBackgroundColorSaved; Console.ForegroundColor = aForegroundColorSaved; } /// <summary> /// Display shadow at specified location /// </summary> /// <param name="pX">Start column for displaying shadow</param> /// <param name="pY">Start row for displaying shadow</param> /// <param name="pStrLength">Length of shadow</param> static void ShadowLine(int pX, int pY, int pStrLength) { // Sve current Console Foreground and Background colors ConsoleColor aBackgroundColorSaved = Console.BackgroundColor; ConsoleColor aForegroundColorSaved = Console.ForegroundColor; // Set color for shadow at end Console.BackgroundColor = gMenuOptionShadowBackgroundColor; Console.ForegroundColor = gMenuOptionShadowForegroundColor; // Set cursor position for shadow at end Console.SetCursorPosition(pX + pStrLength, pY); // Display shadow Console.Write("▄"); // Set color for shadow Console.BackgroundColor = gMenuOptionShadowBackgroundColor; Console.ForegroundColor = gMenuOptionShadowForegroundColor; // Set cursor position for shadow Console.SetCursorPosition(pX + 1, pY + 1); // Display shadow Console.Write("{0}", new string('▀', pStrLength)); // Restore sved current Console Foreground and Background colors Console.BackgroundColor = aBackgroundColorSaved; Console.ForegroundColor = aForegroundColorSaved; } /// <summary> /// Clear console with provided colors /// </summary> /// <param name="pBackColor">For console background color</param> /// <param name="pForeColor">For console foreground color</param> static void ClrScr(ConsoleColor pBackColor, ConsoleColor pForeColor) { Console.BackgroundColor = pBackColor; // Set console background color to provided color Console.ForegroundColor = pForeColor; // Set console foreground color to provided color Console.Clear(); // Clear console } /// <summary> /// Creats string of provided length with provided source string centered in it /// </summary> /// <param name="pStr">Source string</param> /// <param name="pNewWidth">Length of target string</param> /// <returns>return target string with new lenght and source string centered in it</returns> static string StretchAndStuffCenter(string pStr, int pNewWidth) { string aRtVal = pStr; // Set return string vallue to source string value // Process only if new length is larger then length of provided string if (pStr.Length < pNewWidth) // Source string's length is greater then Target string's length? { int aTotalPadSize = pNewWidth - pStr.Length; // Calculate length difference between Source and Target string int aLeftPadSize = aTotalPadSize / 2; // Calculate required left side pad size int aRightPadSize = aTotalPadSize - aLeftPadSize; // Calculate required right side pad size aRtVal = PadBothSides(pStr, aLeftPadSize, aRightPadSize, ' '); // Set target string to required Paded string } return aRtVal; // Return target string } /// <summary> /// Pads both sides of source string with provided char and size /// </summary> /// <param name="pStr">Source string</param> /// <param name="pLeftPadSize">Size of left pad</param> /// <param name="pRightPadSize">Size of right pad</param> /// <param name="pChar">Char to pad with</param> /// <returns>Returns target Paded on both sides string</returns> static string PadBothSides(string pStr, int pLeftPadSize, int pRightPadSize, char pChar) { string aRtVal = pStr; // Set value of Source string to Target string aRtVal = PadLeft(aRtVal, pLeftPadSize, pChar); // Pad left with provided char and length aRtVal = PadRight(aRtVal, pRightPadSize, pChar); // Pad right with provided char and length return aRtVal; // Return target string } /// <summary> /// Pads source string with provided char and count /// </summary> /// <param name="pStr">Source string</param> /// <param name="pCount">Number of char to pad</param> /// <param name="pChar">Char to pad with</param> /// <returns>Return target left paded string</returns> static string PadLeft(string pStr, int pCount, char pChar) { return new string(pChar, pCount) + pStr; // Return target paded string } /// <summary> /// Pads source string with provided char and count /// </summary> /// <param name="pStr">Source string</param> /// <param name="pCount">Number of char to pad</param> /// <param name="pChar">Char to pad with</param> /// <returns>Return target right paded string</returns> static string PadRight(string pStr, int pCount, char pChar) { return pStr + new string(pChar, pCount); // Return target paded string } /// <summary> /// Common method for displaying selected Menu item text /// </summary> /// <param name="pMessage">Text to display</param> static void DisplaySelection(string pMessage) { ConsoleColor aScreenBackgroundColor; ConsoleColor aScreenForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White; ConsoleColor aMessageBackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkCyan; ConsoleColor aMessageForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White; ConsoleColor aMessageForegroundColor2 = ConsoleColor.Cyan; ConsoleColor[] aConsoleColor = new ConsoleColor[] { ConsoleColor.Black, ConsoleColor.DarkBlue, ConsoleColor.DarkGreen, ConsoleColor.DarkMagenta, ConsoleColor.DarkRed, ConsoleColor.DarkYellow, ConsoleColor.Red }; int aMsgRow = 11; // Start row for displaying received text string aMessege = string.Format("You selected [{0}].", pMessage); // Text for status line int aColorIndex = Convert.ToInt32(gRandom.Next(0, aConsoleColor.Length)); // Background color index for screen // Save current Console Foreground and Background colors ConsoleColor aBackgroundColorSaved = Console.BackgroundColor; ConsoleColor aForegroundColorSaved = Console.ForegroundColor; // Set console foreground and background color aScreenBackgroundColor = aConsoleColor[aColorIndex]; // Clear console ClrScr(aScreenBackgroundColor, aScreenForegroundColor); DisplayScreenHeading(gScreenHeading, aScreenBackgroundColor, aScreenForegroundColor); // Display screen heading // Display received text // Display empty lines DisplayLine(0, aMsgRow, new string(' ', Console.WindowWidth), aMessageBackgroundColor, aMessageForegroundColor, false); DisplayLine(0, aMsgRow + 1, new string(' ', Console.WindowWidth), aMessageBackgroundColor, aMessageForegroundColor, false); DisplayLine(0, aMsgRow + 2, new string(' ', Console.WindowWidth), aMessageBackgroundColor, aMessageForegroundColor, false); // Display message // Display starting text DisplayLine((Console.WindowWidth - aMessege.Length) / 2, aMsgRow + 1, "You selected [", aMessageBackgroundColor, aMessageForegroundColor, false); // Display received text DisplayLine(Console.CursorLeft, aMsgRow + 1, pMessage, aMessageBackgroundColor, aMessageForegroundColor2, false); // Display ending text DisplayLine(Console.CursorLeft, aMsgRow + 1, "]", aMessageBackgroundColor, aMessageForegroundColor, false); // Display status message DisplayStatus("Press any key to Continue . . .", gStatusBackgroundColor, aScreenBackgroundColor); Console.ReadKey(); // Wait for user input // Restore sved current Console Foreground and Background colors Console.BackgroundColor = aBackgroundColorSaved; Console.ForegroundColor = aForegroundColorSaved; } // Methods for processing Menu selections static void ProcessSelectionIndex_00(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_01(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_02(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_03(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_04(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_05(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_06(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_07(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_08(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_09(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_10(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } static void ProcessSelectionIndex_11(string pSelectedItem) { DisplaySelection(pSelectedItem); // Display received text } /// <summary> /// Displays status message at bottom of screen /// </summary> /// <param name="pText">Text to display</param> /// <param name="pBackColor">Background color of status line</param> /// <param name="pForeColor">Foreground color of status line</param> static void DisplayStatus(string pText, ConsoleColor pBackColor, ConsoleColor pForeColor) { // Display empty line DisplayLine(1, 24, string.Format("{0,78}", ""), pBackColor, pForeColor, false); // Display received text DisplayLine(2, 24, pText, pBackColor, pForeColor, false); } /// <summary> /// Displays provided text on top of screen /// </summary> /// <param name="pHeading">Text to display</param> /// <param name="pBackColor">Background color</param> /// <param name="pForeColor">Foreground color</param> static void DisplayScreenHeading(string pHeading, ConsoleColor pBackColor, ConsoleColor pForeColor) { DisplayLine(0, 0, pHeading, pBackColor, pForeColor, false); // Display screen heading DisplayLine(0, 1, new string('-', Console.WindowWidth), pBackColor, pForeColor, false); // Display line across console } } // class Program /// <summary> /// <Name: 'ConsoleBarMenu_03' Purpose: This application is made in memory of 'Bar menu' code/program I first read in a book on 'dBase III Plus' few decades ago.> /// Copyright (C) <2017> <khursheed Fateh> /// /// This file is part of 'ConsoleBarMenu_03'. /// /// 'ConsoleBarMenu_03' is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify /// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by /// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or /// (at your option) any later version. /// /// 'ConsoleBarMenu_03' is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, /// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of /// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the /// GNU General Public License for more details. /// /// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License /// along with 'ConsoleBarMenu_03'. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>. /// </summary> } // namespace ConsoleBarMenu_03

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Application Output

Following are some screen-shots of the application I took at different state of application to explain the application's look and feel.

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Application is loaded

(When Application is loaded.)

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Application Menu bar navigation

(When selection bar is on first menu-item)

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(When selection bar is on last menu-item)

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(When selection bar is on some other menu-item)

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Application Menu item selected

When menu's any selection bar is selected by pressing ENTER key and application is moved to the respective section.

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(When 'Grains and cereals' menu-item is selected and respective method is run)

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(When 'Vegetables' menu-item is selected and respective method is run)

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(When 'Bakery & Confectionery Products' menu-item is selected and respective method is run)

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Method which displays message based on menu selection,  randomly selects background for console screen from a few dark ConsoleColors making display a little colorful.

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A brief overview of Console application:

In the context of C#, a Console Application is a type of program that interacts with users through the command-line interface. This type of application reads input from the user through the standard input stream (STDIN), processes the input, and then displays output to the user through the standard output stream (STDOUT). Additionally, any error messages or exceptions are directed to the standard error stream (STDERR). Console Applications are commonly used for tasks that require user input, such as command-line tools, utilities, and interactive programs. They provide a simple and efficient way to interact with the user, making them a fundamental part of the C# programming landscape.

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If there are any mistakes then I will surely remove them whenever found.

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Enjoy Complete Source code of application written and compiled in visual studio 2010 Ultimate by me. Download it. Extract it. Read 'ReadMeFirst.txt' file and do as is explained in it.

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ConsoleColor demo -2- C Sharp - 170703Mo

ConsoleColor Demo - 2   . (Displays all foreground colors on all background colors in c#) Version: 170703Mo . To check how text in any possible foreground ConsoleColor on any possible background ConsoleColor looks like I made a Console project in C Sharp. I also made basic requirement for the project as this: (A) Display line of text in all ConsoleColors in its default sequence using one line for one color. (B) Use navigation keys to change console background color in ConsoleColor default sequence, in any direction. (C) Provide mechanism for exiting from application. . Then I tried and made the above required project. Code for achieving above task is simple and is described as follows. (1) First all ConsoleColors are saved in an array in their default sequence. (2) Then a do-while loop starts. (3) In start of this loop console background color is set to first color in ConsoleColor array and console is cleared. (*) Application also displays useful information near top and bottom of screen on black bars. At top current background color is also displayed. Both info-bars are displayd from inside of do-while loop at different places. (4) Then in a for loop all alphabets in upper case then all digits then all alphabets in lower case are displayed  in all colors from ConsoleColor array, using one line for text in one color. (5) Then user input is taken and according to input: (5a) Console background color index is changed as follows: (*) Up-arrow, Backspace, Left-arrow, Page-Up, E, S, NumPad8, NumPad4 and NumPad9 keys are used for selecting previous  color in ConsoleColor array.  (*) Down-arrow, Spacebar, Right-arrow, Page-Down, D, F, NumPad2, NumPad6 and NumPad3 keys are used for selecting next color in ConsoleColor array. (*) Home and NumPad7 key is used for selecting first color in ConsoleColor array (*) End and NumPad1 key is used for selecting last color in ConsoleColor array. (5b) In step 2 started do-while loop either continues or Exit. X and Escape keys are used for exiting loop. (6) After loop exit application also ends after restoring defaults. . In the following table keys which can be used for performing different tasks are listed. Navigation Keys Action Keys Exit X Escape Next Color UpArrow PageUp LeftArrow Backspace E NumPad8 NumPad9 NumPad4 S Previous Color DownArrow PageDown RightArrow Spacebar D NumPad2 NumPad3 NumPad6 F First Color Home NumPad7 Last Color End NumPad1 . Exit is for exiting application. Remaining tasks are for selecting background console color. No matter 'Num Lok' key is on or off its buttons will work in same way for navigation. Following is the C# code of the project I described above. It is simple and easy to understand. Plus it is full of helpful comments throughout it. . . Visual C# 2010 Code using System; using System.Collections.Generic; using System.Linq; using System.Text; namespace ConsoleColorFgBg_02 { /// <summary> /// Project: 'ConsoleColorFgBg_02' /// Version: 02 /// Created on: 2017 Jul 03 Mon /// Author: Khursheed Fateh /// Email: fateh.khursheed@gmail.com /// Site: https://sites.google.com/view/fateh-khursheed-profiles/home /// Purpose: This application is made for viewing text in all Console colors on background in all Console colors. /// Copyright: /// Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, /// are permitted in any medium without royalty provided the copyright /// notice and this notice are preserved. This file is offered as-is, /// without any warranty. /// </summary> class Program { /// <summary> /// Start point of project /// </summary> /// <param name="args">receives command line arguments in it</param> static void Main(string[] args) { bool aTrueFlag = true; // Application will continue while it's value is true; String aAlphabets = "abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"; // Alphabets to display in Upper and Lower case String aDigits = "0123456789"; // Digits to display // All ConsoleCorors stored in array in their default sequence // They are same for background and foreground ConsoleColor[] aConsoleColor = new ConsoleColor[] { ConsoleColor.Black, ConsoleColor.Blue, ConsoleColor.Cyan, ConsoleColor.DarkBlue, ConsoleColor.DarkCyan, ConsoleColor.DarkGray, ConsoleColor.DarkGreen, ConsoleColor.DarkMagenta, ConsoleColor.DarkRed, ConsoleColor.DarkYellow, ConsoleColor.Gray, ConsoleColor.Green, ConsoleColor.Magenta, ConsoleColor.Red, ConsoleColor.White, ConsoleColor.Yellow }; int aCol; // Column for displaying colored text int aRow; // Row for displaying colored text int aConsoleBackColorIndex; // Index for selecting background color int aConsoleForeColorIndex; // Index for selecting foreground color string aConsoleTitleOld; // For saving original Console title at start of application string aConsoleTitle; // Console title for this application ConsoleColor aConsoleBackColor; // for Console background color ConsoleColor aConsoleForeColor; // for console text color ConsoleColor aInfoBarBackColor; // for Infobar background color ConsoleColor aInfoBarForeColor; // for infobar foreground color int aBufferHeightSaved; // For storing console buffer height at start int aBufferWidthSaved; // For storing console buffer width at start int aWindowHeightSaved; // For storing console window height at start int aWindowWidthSaved; // For storing console window width at start int aBufferWindowHeight = 25; // Same size for console buffer and window height int aBufferWindowWidth = 80; // Same size for console buffer and window width ConsoleKeyInfo aCKI; // for taking user input for changing background color or exiting application aConsoleTitle = "ConsoleColor Demo - ver 2"; // Console title of this appllication aConsoleForeColor = ConsoleColor.White; // Console foreground color aInfoBarBackColor = ConsoleColor.Black; // Infobar background color aInfoBarForeColor = ConsoleColor.White; // Infobar foreground color aWindowHeightSaved = Console.WindowHeight; // Save current console window height aWindowWidthSaved = Console.WindowWidth; // save current console window width aBufferHeightSaved = Console.BufferHeight; // Save current console buffer height aBufferWidthSaved = Console.BufferWidth; // Save current console buffer width aConsoleTitleOld = Console.Title; // save original console title Console.ForegroundColor = aConsoleForeColor; // console foreground color set to White // Same size for both console window and console buffer will remove scrollbars Console.SetWindowSize(aBufferWindowWidth, aBufferWindowHeight); // set window size to required dimensions Console.SetBufferSize(aBufferWindowWidth, aBufferWindowHeight); // set console buffer size to required dimensions. Console.Title = aConsoleTitle; // set console title to application title aConsoleBackColorIndex = 0; // Set background color index to 0 aCol = 1; // Set column for displaying text in colors // Main loop of application do { aConsoleBackColor = aConsoleColor[aConsoleBackColorIndex]; // Select console background color Console.BackgroundColor = aConsoleBackColor; // Set console background color Console.Clear(); // Clear Console // Clear line 1 with specified ConsoleColor and display useful information on it like current Background color of console ClearLine(1, aInfoBarBackColor); // Display text including current console background color at specified row, col in specified ConsoleColor DisplayText(1, 2, aInfoBarBackColor, aInfoBarForeColor, string.Format("On Background color: {0,-11} text with all Foreground colors:", aConsoleBackColor.ToString())); aRow = 4; // Set starting row for displaying text in colors // Loop for displaying text in all console colors for (aConsoleForeColorIndex = 0; aConsoleForeColorIndex < 16; aConsoleForeColorIndex++) { aConsoleForeColor = aConsoleColor[aConsoleForeColorIndex]; // Select color according to loop index from ConsoleColor array // Display text at required/calculated row, col in selected ConsoleColor DisplayText(aRow, aCol, aConsoleBackColor, aConsoleForeColor, string.Format("{0,-11}: {1} {2} {3}", aConsoleForeColor.ToString(), aAlphabets.ToUpper(), aDigits, aAlphabets.ToLower())); aRow++; // Increment row number; } // Clear line 23 with specified color and display useful information on it ClearLine(23, aInfoBarBackColor); DisplayText(23, 2, aInfoBarBackColor, aInfoBarForeColor, string.Format("Use [NAVIGATION] keys to change Background Color, [X] / [ESC] to Exit.")); aCKI = Console.ReadKey(); // Take user input for changing background color and/or exiting application // Take action according to user input if ( (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.X) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.Escape) ) // Exit application? { aTrueFlag = false; // Loop will end on this value } else if ( (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.UpArrow) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.PageUp) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.LeftArrow) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.Backspace) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.E) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.S) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad8) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad4) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad9) ) // Select previous ConsoleColor for background? { if (aConsoleBackColorIndex > 0) // ConsoleColor index in greater then min? { aConsoleBackColorIndex--; // Decriment ConsoleColor index } else { aConsoleBackColorIndex = aConsoleColor.Length - 1; // Set ConsoleColor index to max } } else if ( (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.DownArrow) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.PageDown) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.RightArrow) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.Spacebar) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.D) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.F) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad2) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad6) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad3) ) // Select next ConsoleColor for background? { if (aConsoleBackColorIndex < (aConsoleColor.Length - 1)) // ConsoleColor index is less then max? { aConsoleBackColorIndex++; // Increment ConsoleColor index } else { aConsoleBackColorIndex = 0; // Set ConsoleColor index to min } } else if ( (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.Home) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad7) ) // Select first color in ConsoleColor array? { aConsoleBackColorIndex = 0; // Set ConsoleColor index to first } else if ( (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.End) || (aCKI.Key == ConsoleKey.NumPad1) ) // Select last color in ConsoleColor array? { aConsoleBackColorIndex = aConsoleColor.Length - 1; // Set ConsoleColor index to last } } while (aTrueFlag == true); // Continue looping while aTrueFlag value is true Console.Title = aConsoleTitleOld; // Set console title to saved title Console.SetWindowSize(aWindowWidthSaved, aWindowHeightSaved); // Set window size to saved dimensions Console.SetBufferSize(aBufferWidthSaved, aBufferHeightSaved); // Set buffer size to saved dimensions Console.ResetColor(); // Reset console colors Console.Clear(); // Clear console } /// <summary> /// Clears line with ' ' and given color /// </summary> /// <param name="pRow">Line to clear</param> /// <param name="pBackColor">Color for using as backcolor for the line</param> static void ClearLine(int pRow, ConsoleColor pBackColor) { ConsoleColor aCurrentBackColor; // For saving current console background color aCurrentBackColor = Console.BackgroundColor; // save current console background color Console.SetCursorPosition(0, pRow); // Set cursor position Console.BackgroundColor = pBackColor; // Set console background color to received background color Console.Write(new String(' ', Console.WindowWidth)); // Clear full line by writing ' ' on it Console.BackgroundColor = aCurrentBackColor; // Restore saved console background color } /// <summary> /// Displays text on given location and colors /// </summary> /// <param name="pRow">Line at which to display text</param> /// <param name="pCol">Column at which to displaly text</param> /// <param name="pBackColor">Background color for text</param> /// <param name="pForeColor">Foreground color for text</param> /// <param name="pText">Text to display</param> static void DisplayText(int pRow, int pCol, ConsoleColor pBackColor, ConsoleColor pForeColor, String pText) { ConsoleColor aCurrentBackColor; // For saving current console background color ConsoleColor aCurrentForeColor; // for saving current console foreground color aCurrentBackColor = Console.BackgroundColor; // save current console background color aCurrentForeColor = Console.ForegroundColor; // save current console foreground color Console.SetCursorPosition(pCol, pRow); // Set cursor position to reveived row nad col Console.BackgroundColor = pBackColor; // Set console background color to received background color Console.ForegroundColor = pForeColor; // Set console foreground color to given foreground color Console.Write(pText); // Write reveived text Console.BackgroundColor = aCurrentBackColor; // Restore saved console background color Console.ForegroundColor = aCurrentForeColor; // Restore saved console foreground color } } // class Program /// <summary> /// <Name: 'ConsoleColorFgBg_02' Purpose: Displays text in all Console colors on background in all Console colors. .> /// Copyright (C) <2017> <khursheed Fateh> /// /// This file is part of 'ConsoleColorFgBg_02'. /// /// 'ConsoleColorFgBg_02' is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify /// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by /// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or /// (at your option) any later version. /// /// 'ConsoleColorFgBg_02' is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, /// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of /// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the /// GNU General Public License for more details. /// /// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License /// along with 'ConsoleColorFgBg_02'. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>. /// </summary> } . . Application Output Following are screenshots of the application I took at different stages of application. . (When Application is loaded.) . (When Background color is Black) . (When Background color is Blue) . (When Background color is Cyan) . (When Background color is DarkBlue) . (When Background color is DarkCyan) . (When Background color is DarkGray) . (When Background color is DarkGreen) . (When Background color is DarkMagenta) . (When Background color is DarkRed) . (When Background color is DarkYellow) . (When Background color is Gray) . (When Background color is Green) . (When Background color is Magenta) . (When Background color is Red) . (When Background color is White) . (When Background color is Yellow) . . [2024 July 29 Thu] Note:- Previously I had shared three sample screen shots of the application and today I removed those images and shared 17 new screen-shots of application in it's all possible stages.. . . If there are any mistakes then I will surely remove them whenever found. . . Enjoy Complete Source code of application written and compiled in visual studio 2010 Ultimate by me. Download it. Extract it. Read 'ReadMeFirst.txt' file and do as is explained in it.

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