KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q39783: Example of Using Formatting with _outtext

Article: Q39783
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 5.00 5.10
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | S_QUICKC | mspl13_c
Last Modified: 29-DEC-1988

When programming with the Microsoft graphics library, the printf
function can be used, but it is not recommended. Instead, to do any
desired formatting, the _outtext function should be used with a prior
call to sprintf. You should not mix printf() calls with _outtext()
calls.

The user-defined _outtextf function demonstrated in the program below
performs formatting and printing in one function. This function
simplifies conversion of non-Microsoft C graphics-compatible source
code to Microsoft-compatible code. An intelligent text editor could
simply do a global search and replace "printf" to "_outtextf".

This following program defines and demonstrates the function "_outtextf":

#include <stdio.h>
#include <graph.h>
#include <stdarg.h>

int _outtextf (char *format,...);
void main (void);

void main (void)
 { /* Clear the screen and display "Hello, world #87!" */
   _clearscreen (_GCLEARSCREEN);
   _outtextf ("Hello, %s #%d!","world",87);
 }

int _outtextf (char *format,...)
 { va_list arglist;
   char buffer[150]; /*Must be large enough to hold formatted string*/
   int retval;

   va_start (arglist,format);
   retval = vsprintf(buffer,format,arglist);
   va_end (arglist);

   _outtext (buffer);
   return (retval);
 }

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.