How to keep console window open

Question

When I run my program, the console window seems to run and close. How to keep it open so I can see the results?

class Program
{
    public class StringAddString       
    {                        
        public virtual void AddString()
        {
            var strings2 = new string[] { "1", "2", "3", "4", "5","6", "7", "8", "9"};

            Console.WriteLine(strings2);
            Console.ReadLine();
        }
    }

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {          
        StringAddString s = new StringAddString();            
    }
}

score 105 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 14 '14 at 19:27

105

Put a Console.Read() as the last line in your program. That will prevent it from closing until you press a key

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    StringAddString s = new StringAddString();
    Console.Read();            
}

edited Mar 14 '14 at 19:27

abatishchev

98,240
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answered Jun 06 '13 at 02:37

TGH

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1

@user1929393 AS TGH pointed out, put it under you `static void Main`. This is the starting point of the execution. – Jigar Patel Jun 06 '13 at 02:43
15

`Console.Read()` waits for 'Enter' key. I'm using `Console.ReadKey()` for "Press any key to continue..." – Wild_A Oct 07 '14 at 11:51

score 36 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 21 '23 at 14:54

If you want to keep the console open when you are debugging, but still let it close normally when not debugging, you can do something like this:

if (System.Diagnostics.Debugger.IsAttached) Console.ReadLine();

As other answers have stated, the call to Console.ReadLine() will keep the window open until Enter is pressed. With the above code, Console.ReadLine() will only be called if the debugger is attached.

score 22 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 21 '23 at 15:00

There are two ways that I know of.

Put Console.ReadLine() at the end of your program. Disadvantage: you have to change your code, and have to remember to remove it later on.
Run without a debugger, using CTRL+F5. This opens a console window outside of Visual Studio, and that window won't close when finished. Advantage: you don't have to change your code. Disadvantage: if there is an exception, the program won't drop into the debugger. (However, when you do get exceptions, you can simply rerun with a debugger.)

score 19 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 21 '23 at 15:01

19

Console.ReadKey(true);

This command is a bit nicer than ReadLine, which passes only when you hit Enter. The true parameter here hides the ugly flashing cursor while reading the result. Any keystroke terminates the program.

edited Mar 21 '23 at 15:01

mfluehr

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answered Jan 13 '15 at 12:38

Cpt Balu

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cuongle · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-06T03:13:17.640

13

You forgot calling your method:

static void Main(string[] args)
{          
    StringAddString s = new StringAddString();  
    s.AddString();
}

it should stop your console, but the result might not be what you expected, you should change your code a little bit:

Console.WriteLine(string.Join(",", strings2));

edited Jun 06 '13 at 03:13

answered Jun 06 '13 at 02:40

cuongle

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score 12 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 17 '17 at 12:46

You can handle this without requiring a user input.

Step 1. Create a ManualRestEvent at the start of Main thread

ManualResetEvent manualResetEvent = new ManualResetEvent(false);

Step 2 . Wait ManualResetEvent

manualResetEvent.WaitOne();

Step 3.To Stop

manualResetEvent.Set();

Mansuu.... · Answer 7 · 2017-01-30T06:04:01.143

6

Write Console.ReadKey(); in the last line of main() method. This line prevents finishing the console. I hope it would help you.

edited Jan 30 '17 at 06:04

answered Jan 29 '17 at 18:31

Mansuu....

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14
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score 6 · Answer 8 · answered Jul 22 '19 at 16:06

6

If your using Visual Studio just run the application with Crtl + F5 instead of F5. This will leave the console open when it's finished executing.

answered Jul 22 '19 at 16:06

Wish I Knew this stuff

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score 2 · Answer 9 · answered Jun 06 '13 at 14:43

2

Use Console.Readline() at the end .Your code will not close until you close it manually.Since Readline waits for input that needs to be entered for your code hence your console will be open until you type some input.

answered Jun 06 '13 at 14:43

Sarvesh Nayak

61
4

Md.Rakibuz Sultan · Answer 10 · 2019-02-04T07:51:10.650

2

For visual c# console Application use:

Console.ReadLine();
Console.Read();
Console.ReadKey(true);

for visual c++ win32 console application use:

system("pause");

press ctrl+f5 to run the application.

edited Feb 04 '19 at 07:51

answered Feb 01 '19 at 10:20

Md.Rakibuz Sultan

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score 2 · Answer 11 · answered Nov 04 '22 at 07:31

2

If you're using Visual Studio, then the IDE has an option to keep the window open under

Tools > Options > Debugging >

Automatically close the console when debugging stops

Unlike CTRL + F5, this allows you to use breakpoints while debugging.

answered Nov 04 '22 at 07:31

Gangula

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I prefer this answer because it's configuring the tools correctly, rather than making unnecessary changes to the code. – sezmeralda May 29 '23 at 00:17

score 1 · Answer 12 · answered Jul 06 '13 at 21:18

1

Make sure to useConsole.ReadLine(); to keep the preceeding Console.WriteLine(""); message from closing.

answered Jul 06 '13 at 21:18

lost_in_the_source

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score 1 · Answer 13 · answered Mar 16 '22 at 10:40

1

Console.Read()

-> Console stays open until you press a button on your keyboard

answered Mar 16 '22 at 10:40

lennoxGER

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1
6

score 0 · Answer 14 · edited Oct 31 '19 at 01:17

0

To be able to give it input without it closing as well you could enclose the code in a while loop

while (true) 
{
     <INSERT CODE HERE>
}

It will continue to halt at Console.ReadLine();, then do another loop when you input something.

edited Oct 31 '19 at 01:17

J. Murray

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answered Oct 30 '19 at 20:45

Joacim K. Solbakken

11
1

How to keep console window open

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