STDIN (console) input buffer limit = 256?

[wizofaus]

Hi,

If I write the following unmanaged C program:

main()
{
char buffer[1000];
gets(buffer);
}

I can type in pretty any length string at all (buffer overflow aside).

But if I try in managed C++ (or C#),

Console::ReadLine();

I can only type in 254 characters, allowing I imagine 2 for the
necessary CRLF.

I've even tried creating a FileStream on the handle from
GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE), but I get the same problem (which
really surprises me).
The only way I can read more from .NET is use ReadConsole directly.

Any clues why, and is there a way to change this behaviour? I need to
be able to enter much longer lines than 256 characters into my console
app.

Thanks

 

[Michael D. Ober]

What OS and command shell? MS-DOS and its derivatives (including the
command.com shell) had a limit of 254 characters. NT 4's and its
descendents cmd.exe shell has a much longer limit (I haven't reached it
yet.)

Mike.

 

[wizofaus]

What OS and command shell? MS-DOS and its derivatives (including the
command.com shell) had a limit of 254 characters. NT 4's and its
descendents cmd.exe shell has a much longer limit (I haven't reached it
yet.)

Mike.

Cmd.exe (XP Pro) - otherwise the unmanaged version would presumably
have the same problem.

BTW, is top-posting really the norm in m.p.dotnet.*?

Hi,

If I write the following unmanaged C program:

main()
{
char buffer[1000];
gets(buffer);
}

I can type in pretty any length string at all (buffer overflow aside).

But if I try in managed C++ (or C#),

Console::ReadLine();

I can only type in 254 characters, allowing I imagine 2 for the
necessary CRLF.

I've even tried creating a FileStream on the handle from
GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE), but I get the same problem (which
really surprises me).
The only way I can read more from .NET is use ReadConsole directly.

Any clues why, and is there a way to change this behaviour? I need to
be able to enter much longer lines than 256 characters into my console
app.

Thanks