10/05/24

Blog 1: The Console Apps Overview and Examples

What is a "Console" App and Why Use It?

Console apps are applications that make use of the Windows Terminal. This can be a Command Prompt, PowerShell Terminal, DOS interface, or other similar programs. They are particularly useful for tasks requiring text-based interaction or automation, such as system administration, data processing, and testing.

Developers often use console apps for prototyping, debugging, and learning purposes. They provide a lightweight and straightforward environment for experimenting with code snippets or implementing simple utilities.

How I've Incorporated This:

In my recent project, I utilized console apps to automate repetitive tasks in data analysis. By leveraging the simplicity and flexibility of console-based interfaces, I streamlined data processing workflows, reducing manual effort and increasing productivity. By utilising the console windows I've been able to create basic outputs for my needs, these windows can come from different files but typically on a Windows install will default to a Command Prompt or a CMD window; although PowerShell is also used.

The following is an example code using a batch file which will perform basic Windows repairs.

          @echo off
rem this is system file check
rem pause pauses the program to make you put a keystroke in to continue
rem like how you pause and unpause a game
sfc /scannow
pause
rem this is deployment image servicing and management
rem basically does an online check with microsofts database
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
pause
rem chkdsk is check disk
rem delete until it matches the drives you have
chkdsk /f /r /b /perf /scan c:
pause
rem this defrags all hdd's you have at normal priority instead of low thanks to /c and /h
defrag /c /u /v /x /h
pause cleanmgr.exe /autoclean
cleanmgr.exe /d c /verylowdisk

exit
rem exit exits the program
rem v2.0 - added defrag capability
rem v3.0 added disk cleanup capability

By using this, Windows is using SFC which is a System File Check, DISM which is Deployment Image Servicing and Management and CHKDSK which is a Check Disk. SFC scans the current Windows system for corrupted files and then download and replace any files found to be corrupted.