how to execute console application from windows form?

Question

I want to run a console application (eg app.exe) from a windows form load event. I'v tried System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(), But after it opens app.exe, it closes it immidiately.

Is there any way that I can run app.exe and leave it open?

Answer 1

If you are just wanting the console window to stay open, you could run it with something like this command:

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start( @"cmd.exe", @"/k c:\path\my.exe" );

Answer 2

Try doing this:

        string cmdexePath = @"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe";
        //notice the quotes around the below string...
        string myApplication = "\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\ftp.exe\"";
        //the /K keeps the CMD window open - even if your windows app closes
        string cmdArguments = String.Format("/K {0}", myApplication);
        ProcessStartInfo psi = new ProcessStartInfo(cmdexePath, cmdArguments);
        Process p = new Process();
        p.StartInfo = psi;
        p.Start();

I think this will get you the behavior you are trying for. Assuming you weren't just trying to see the output in the command window. If you just want to see the output, you have several versions of that answer already. This is just how you can run your app and keep the console open.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

If app.exe does nothing, or finishes its work quickly (i.e. simply prints "Hello World" and returns), it will behave the way you just explained. If you want app.exe to stay open after its work is done, put some sort of completion message followed by Console.ReadKey(); in the console application.