The '''$CONSOLE''' [[Metacommand]] creates a console window that can be used throughout a QB64 program module.


{{PageSyntax}}
::: '''$CONSOLE''' {ON|OFF|ONLY}


* [[_CONSOLE]] '''ON''' or '''OFF''' may be used to show or hide the console window. OFF can only be used after ON.
* The '''ONLY''' option can be used when only a console window is desired without a program window.
* [[_DEST]] [[_CONSOLE]] may be used to send screen output to the console window.
* [[_SCREENHIDE]] and [[_SCREENSHOW]] can be used to hide or show the main program window.
* [[_DELAY]] or [[SLEEP]] can be used to allow the console window to be set in front of the main program window.
* '''QB64 [[Metacommand]]s require that commenting or [[REM]] NOT be used anywhere on the Metacommand code line!'''
* Change the title of the [[$CONSOLE]] windows created using: [[SHELL]] &quot;title consoletitle&quot;
* '''Note:''' Text can be copied partially or totally from console screens in Windows by highlighting and using the title bar menu. 
:: To copy console text output, right click the title bar and select ''Edit'' for ''Mark'' to highlight and repeat to ''Copy'' 


''Example 1:'' Hiding and displaying a console window. Use [[_DELAY]] to place console in front of main program window.
{{CodeStart}} '' ''
{{Cl|$CONSOLE}}
{{Cl|_DELAY}} 4

{{Cl|_CONSOLE}} OFF
{{Cl|_DELAY}} 4
{{Cl|_CONSOLE}} ON

{{Cl|_DEST}} {{Cl|_CONSOLE}}
{{Cl|PRINT}} &quot;Close this console window or click main window and press a key!&quot; '' ''
{{CodeEnd}}


''Example 2:'' How to use a Console window to copy screen output using the ''Edit'' menu by right clicking the console title bar.
{{CodeStart}} '' ''
{{Cl|$CONSOLE}}
{{Cl|_DEST}} {{Cl|_CONSOLE}}

c&amp;&amp; = -1: d&amp; = -1: e% = -1: f%% = -1
hx$ = {{Cl|HEX$}}(f%%)
{{Cl|PRINT}} &quot;Max hex {{Cl|_BYTE}} = &quot;; hx$; &quot; with&quot;; {{Cl|LEN}}(hx$); &quot;digits =&quot;; {{Cl|VAL}}(&quot;{{Cl|&amp;H}}&quot; + hx$)
hx$ = {{Cl|HEX$}}(e%)
{{Cl|PRINT}} &quot;Max hex {{Cl|INTEGER}} = &quot;; hx$; &quot; with&quot;; {{Cl|LEN}}(hx$); &quot;digits =&quot;; {{Cl|VAL}}(&quot;{{Cl|&amp;H}}&quot; + hx$)
hx$ = {{Cl|HEX$}}(d&amp;)
{{Cl|PRINT}} &quot;Max hex {{Cl|LONG}} = &quot;; hx$; &quot; with&quot;; {{Cl|LEN}}(hx$); &quot;digits =&quot;; {{Cl|VAL}}(&quot;{{Cl|&amp;H}}&quot; + hx$)
hx$ = {{Cl|HEX$}}(c&amp;&amp;)
{{Cl|PRINT}} &quot;Max hex {{Cl|_INTEGER64}} = &quot;; hx$; &quot; with&quot;; {{Cl|LEN}}(hx$); &quot;digits =&quot;; {{Cl|VAL}}(&quot;{{Cl|&amp;H}}&quot; + hx$)
hx$ = {{Cl|HEX$}}(9223372036854775807)
{{Cl|PRINT}} &quot;Max {{Cl|_INTEGER64}} value = &quot;; hx$; &quot; with&quot;; {{Cl|LEN}}(hx$); &quot;digits&quot;
hx$ = {{Cl|HEX$}}(-9223372036854775808)
{{Cl|PRINT}} &quot;Min {{Cl|_INTEGER64}} value = &quot;; hx$; &quot; with&quot;; {{Cl|LEN}}(hx$); &quot;digits&quot; '' ''
{{CodeEnd}}
{{OutputStart}}Max hex _BYTE = FF with 2 digits = 255
Max hex INTEGER = FFFF with 4 digits = 65535
Max hex LONG = FFFFFFFF with 8 digits = 4294967295
Max hex _INTEGER64 = FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF with 16 digits =-1
Max _INTEGER64 value = 7FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF with 16 digits
Min _INTEGER64 value = 8000000000000000 with 16 digits
{{OutputEnd}}
: ''Console:'' Right click and select ''Edit'' &gt; ''Select All'' (mouse highlight after) then hit Enter or select ''Edit'' &gt; ''Copy'' to the [[_CLIPBOARD$ (function)|clipboard]].
{{TextStart}}Max hex _BYTE = FF with 2 digits = 255
Max hex INTEGER = FFFF with 4 digits = 65535
Max hex LONG = FFFFFFFF with 8 digits = 4294967295
Max hex _INTEGER64 = FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF with 16 digits =-1
{{TextEnd}}
:''Copied text:'' The above text was copied after ''Select All'' was selected and the smaller area was re-highlighted with the mouse.


''See also:''
* [[_CONSOLE]]
* [[$SCREENHIDE]], [[$SCREENSHOW]] (QB64 [[Metacommand]]s)
* [[_SCREENHIDE]], [[_SCREENSHOW]]


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