Question

Is there a way for a Console app know whether it has been called from a batch file as opposed to directly at the command prompt?

The reason for asking is to find a way to decide whether to initiate a Console.ReadLine loop or similar to await further input, or whether to exit immediately.

Alternatively, is there a way for a batch file to continue sending input to a Console App that is awaiting further input via ReadLine?

Yes, I know – that’s 2 questions. If anyone comments that there’s an answer to the second question I’ll ask that separately.

Answer 1

The batch file can set an environment variable and you can check that in your console application:

in the batch file:

set waitOnDone=0
yourExeFile -arguments

in your Console Application:

var env = System.Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("waitOnDone");
if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(env) ||  env != "0")
{
    // do something
}