C++: No output from cout object

By default std::cout outputs to the standard output handle. However, an application running in the Windows subsystem doesn't have standard out hooked up to anything. You could create a console with AllocConsole() and then redirect standard out to that console window. Ex:

AllocConsole();freopen("conin$","r",stdin);freopen("conout$","w",stdout);freopen("conout$","w",stderr);

If you want to write stuff to the debug window of VS, you need to use the OutputDebugString function.

Try this:

To expand on rozz' post: Most likely, your strings are caught in some stream buffer which is not being flushed at exit of your program.

Using std::flush flushes these buffers explicitly. Outputting std::endl flushes the buffers implicitly (and creates a linebreak).

Finally, note that "\r\n" is non-standard. If your streams are opened in text mode (which they should be), a single "\n" will do the job, though it is more idiomatic to use std::endl.

Thank you fopr your help. Here aqre some updates.

1) Method 1 works.
AllocConsole();
freopen("conin$","r",stdin);
freopen("conout$","w",stdout);
freopen("conout$","w",stderr);
printf ("\r\n Test");


2) Method 2 passed the compilation, but still no output
OutputDebugString (_T("\r\nTest"));

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Original post by Prefect To expand on rozz' post: Most likely, your strings are caught in some stream buffer which is not being flushed at exit of your program. Using std::flush flushes these buffers explicitly. Outputting std::endl flushes the buffers implicitly (and creates a linebreak). Finally, note that "\r\n" is non-standard. If your streams are opened in text mode (which they should be), a single "\n" will do the job, though it is more idiomatic to use std::endl.

I tried both std::endl and std::flush, and one of them could make the outputs visible. Thanks anyway.

I wonder though, why would the program exit so abruptly that flushing is necessary. If it is for debugging, then you could use std::cerr which should flush each output automatically.

Quote:

though it is more idiomatic to use std::endl

Is it, seeing that is doing more than is usually needed (flushing the stream) and is more to type?

You need a debugger attched if you want to see output from OutputDebugString - did you start the program in debug mode from the IDE?

Quote:

Is it, seeing that is doing more than is usually needed (flushing the stream) and is more to type?

I would say more idiomatic yes, efficient no.

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I wrote a simple Windows Form application

You created a Windows Forms Application from the CLR tab. You should be creating a Win32 Console Application or Win32 Project under the Win32 tab.

I just tested using a CLR project and got the same results as you did with OutputDebugString failing to output. I don't know why that's the case, but it works under normal Win32 projects just fine. I would suggest you recreate your project as a Win32 Console project unless you are intentionally wanting to use a CLR styled project (which I would think you aren't after that at this point).

Quote:

Original post by visitor I wonder though, why would the program exit so abruptly that flushing is necessary. If it is for debugging, then you could use std::cerr which should flush each output automatically.

Seriously? Wish I'd known that about a year ago.

Quote:

Original post by Drew_Benton I just tested using a CLR project and got the same results as you did with OutputDebugString failing to output. I don't know why that's the case, but it works under normal Win32 projects just fine.

VS only attaches the managed debugger to /clr:pure projects by default. The native portion of the debugger needs to be attached for OutputDebugString to be effective. Switch the
Project Properties->Configuration Properties->Debugging->Debugger Type option to Mixed and it'll work.