font color error

[1vf9z8AR]

I am trying to change the baackground color and the font color in c++ but 'codeblocks' only reads the last system("color _ _")

#include<iostream>
#include<graphics.h>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
system("color 3E");
cout<<"hi"<<endl;
system("color 3D");
cout<<"hi";
}


i have tried using different functions but failed. Below is my attempt

#include<iostream>
#include<graphics.h>
using namespace std;
int head1()
{
system("color 3E");
cout<<"hi";
return 0;
}
int main()
{
head1();
system("color 3E");
cout<<"hi";
}
this doesnt work too.

[Enoizat]

Don't you need to include cstdlib?
#include <cstdlib>

[Handy Andy]

Hello suyashsing234,

Awhile back I once told someone this could not be done. Then I was told it could be done and was presented this code:

SetColor(int ColorPicker)
{
	WORD consoleColor;
	HANDLE hStdOut = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);
	CONSOLE_SCREEN_BUFFER_INFO csbi;
	if (GetConsoleScreenBufferInfo(hStdOut, &csbi))
	{
		consoleColor = (csbi.wAttributes & 0xF0) + (ColorPicker & 0x0F);
		SetConsoleTextAttribute(hStdOut, consoleColor);
	}
}  //  End SetColor() 

As I remember this requires the header file "Windows.h" to work. This will change the font colour, but not the background. I have played with this code to change the background color, but it is not easy to do.

I do not have the "graphics.h" header file, so I am not sure how to use it.

I do not believe that the "graphics.h" file is needed to use "system("color 3E");". At least I have not needed anything special to use "system("color 3E");".

Some day I will find the function taht allows the foreground and background colours to be changed.

Hope that helps,

Andy

[Enoizat]

Am I missing the point? The following code changes my W7 background console colour twice:

#include <cstdlib>
#include <iostream>
#include <limits>


void waitForEnter();


int main()
{
    system("color 3E");
    std::cout << "hi\n";
    waitForEnter();

    std::cout << "hi again\n";
    system("color 3D");

    waitForEnter();
    return 0;
}


void waitForEnter()
{
    std::cout << "\nPress ENTER to continue...\n";
    std::cin.ignore(std::numeric_limits<std::streamsize>::max(), '\n');
}

[whitenite1]

@Enoizat

I believe the OP wants different color texts and/or backgrounds on the screen at the time, not just change all the text or background to a different color.

@Handy Andy
This code does change background and/or text, as needed.

@suyashsing234
Here is a small program I wrote a few years back as a text/background colors demo. I hope you're able to use it, as well.

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <windows.h>

enum Colors{
	black,          //  0 text color - multiply by 16, for background colors
	dark_blue,      //  1
	dark_green,     //  2
	dark_cyan,      //  3
	dark_red,       //  4
	dark_magenta,   //  5
	dark_yellow,    //  6
	light_gray,     //  7
	dark_gray,      //  8
	light_blue,     //  9
	light_green,    // 10
	light_cyan,     // 11
	light_red,      // 12
	light_magenta,  // 13
	light_yellow,   // 14
	white           // 15
};

using std::cout;
using std::endl;
using std::cin;
using std::string;

#define on , // So I can use the function - void text(text_color on background_color)
// To more easily remember which is text color vs background color

// My text color function. Use it if you wish.
void text(int text_color = 7 on int paper_color = 0)
{
	// defaults to light_gray on black
	int color_total = (text_color + (paper_color * 16));
	SetConsoleTextAttribute(GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE), color_total);
}

int main()
{
	string Color[16] = { "Black", "Dark Blue", "Dark Green", "Dark Cyan", "Dark Red", "Dark Magenta", "Dark Yellow", "Light Gray",
		"Dark Gray", "Light Blue", "Light Green", "Light Cyan", "Light Red", "Light Magenta", "Light Yellow", "White" };
	int i, j;

	for (j = 0; j<16; j++)
	{
		for (i = 0; i<16; i++)
		{
			if (j == i) // If text color is same as paper color
			{
				text();
				cout << "---> *** Place-holder --- Text same color as background *** <---" << endl;
			}
			else
			{
				text(i on j);
				cout << Color[i] << " on " << Color[j] << " (Text color=" << i << "+Background color=" << j * 16 << " (" << j << "*16)=" << i + (j * 16) << ")" << endl;
			}
		}
	}
	text(); // Able to use names here, because of enum Colors{};

	cout << endl << endl << "Where a number is skipped, the text would be same color as the backgound.." << endl;
	cout << "To use color, add to your list of ";
	text(light_red on black);
	cout << "#include";
	text();
	cout << "'s, if not already used.." << endl;
	text(light_red on black);
	cout << "#include <windows.h>";
	text();
	cout << "." << endl << "Declare the following, afterwards.." << endl;
	text(light_red on black);
	cout << "HANDLE console = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);" << endl;
	text();
	cout << "and use the folowing, whenever you wish to change colors.." << endl;
	text(light_red on black);
	cout << "SetConsoleTextAttribute(GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE),color_total );" << endl;
	text();
	cout << "Or examine the '";
	text(light_red on black);
	cout << "void text(int text_color on int paper_color);";
	text();
	cout << "' function," << endl << "at the top of this program. Works great, doesn't it ??" << endl;
	cout << "Just make sure to add '";
	text(light_red on black);
	cout << "#define on ,";
	text();
	cout << "', if you want to use the '";
	text(light_red on black);
	cout << "on";
	text();
	cout << "' word," << endl;
	cout << "instead of a comma, to separate the two color choices." << endl << endl;
	cout << "Press enter to exit.." << endl;
	cin.clear();
	cin.sync();
	cin.get();
	return 0;
}

[Handy Andy]

Hello @whitenite1,

Thanks for the input. That is one direction that I had not tried yet, The way you used the "text function is the change I needed.

Andy

[1vf9z8AR]

umm guys i will stick to a constant color. I cant really use big and complex coding in my project for school.
Thanks though for your responses. :)

[Handy Andy]

Hello suyashsing234,

Instead of the "#include <graphics.h>" try "#include <Windows.h>" I think that is the header file needed to use "system". The "graphics.h" file should have its own function(s) for changing the foreground and background colours.

When I tried "system("color 3E");" in one of my programs it worked and at the end of the program when I set the colours back to what I normally use it worked.

Hope that helps,

Andy

[Handy Andy]

Hello suyashsing234,

Upon further investigation I found the proper header file for "system" is "cstdlib" for C++ or "stdlib.h".

Andy

[1vf9z8AR]

Thankyou Handy Andy it works with cstdlib.

[Handy Andy]

Hello suyashsing234,

Your welcome.

Sometimes it is the little things that takethe longet to find.

Andy