accessing the CLI in a prog

[PhilOfPerth]

Code: (Select All)

$Console:Only

Shell "dir c:\ > temp.txt" '      <-- this runs that shell command to DIR to get a listing of C:\, and then pipes the output to "temp.txt".

Open "temp.txt" For Input As #1

Do Until EOF(1)

    Line Input #1, text$

    Print text$

Loop

Give the above a try.  The issue with the blank screen was you specifying  "c: dir" and me just plugging it in by mistake.  There's no "dir.com", "dir.exe", or "dir.bat" file in the "c:\" directory, so no file to run and thus nothing to pipe. 

By *just* using the DIR command, the system looks in the various paths and finds where that command is located, and then gives you a directory listing of C:\, as specified above.

Anytime you have issues with SHELL, test your command with $CONSOLE:ONLY.  Then your QB64 program will run in the console/terminal and you'll see the output before that shell window opens and closes instantly on you.  It's a great way to get those error messages and determine what the heck has gone wrong.

Ah, purrfic! Great work... short and sweet. 
Thanks again to all.