Question

Sometimes, when I install programs, I see progress bar in console window (or other, dynamic changing text). It is displayed, and changing in the same row of string. When I use printf or other function, I write next text, but I can’t modify in console window already existing text. How can I do it through C?

Answer 1

The easiest way for this kind of effects is to use the caret return \r character that lets you write over the previous line.

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If you’d like to have direct access to the console’s buffer (i.e. writing in specific X/Y position instead of line-by-line), then you’re probably looking for a helper library like pdcurses.