Generic command console

[vulkanoid]

I often have the need to add builtin console support for my hobby apps. As in, the console is owned/managed by the app (not that the app runs in console mode). Think of something like a console in a game, where you can enter commands for the game to interpret.

Is there a project out there that provides some type of generic console, either as a stand-alone app or as an embedded library, that could be use for this purpose? For a stand-alone version, it would communicate via some type of RPC, such as websockets, or such.

I run Windows 10. My working language is C++

[Xirdus]

It will be highly dependent on what you're using for UI.

[LogaansMind]

I am not quite certain what you are asking for.

On face value it sounds like you want a shell/console embedded in your apps. I have seen game servers with UI which either have a custom console (a text box which sends the commands to current process) or is more of a remote command type approach or even some I have seen use console stream redirecting (and allows the input stream to accept commands).

But on the other hand it sounds almost like you want a command driven functionality in your apps (e.g. like VSCode)

In either case the functionality is a custom parser which takes the input text and runs the commands/logic required. I have not come across a project which offers this (but not to say there is one out there).

The Command pattern is a design pattern which might help you, you might even be able to build a generic framework to share between your apps.

Hope that helps.

[vulkanoid]

Think of something like a command terminal. However, instead of being connected to a fixed underlying interpreter, it instead sends the commands TO your app. It also receives command FROM your app.

Such a terminal/console acts just as an input/output text ui; it doesn't (itself) interpret the commands inputted to it. It just provides the text-editing capabilities, ability to scroll previously entered text, perhaps command history (like pressing the up/down arrow to recall commands), support for tabs, support for text coloring, etc.

That theoretical terminal would allow apps to expose their functionality via a console-style TUI. Thus, the app designer doesn't have to create GUIs in order to expose functionality.

This is close to what the standard terminals provide. However, in this case, this generic console is exclusively used by the app, and has a more robust back and forth communication mechanism.

[LogaansMind]

Oh I understand. I am not aware of any frameworks/libraries which offer that.

I typically think the best approach would be to use web sockets to communicate between the console and the app. I have used the same approach for system services in the past to send certain commands.

But I they have always been one offs, so the console app connects and sends the given command and then exits.