Re: cmdEX.exe - augmenting the existing CMD.EXE

From: Stuart Carnie (stuart_carnie_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 08/24/04 

Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 11:24:34 -0700

I am going to open source it.

I have submitted a new project request to SourceForge, and will upload the
first alpha build when it is ready.

Project will be titled consoleEX.

Cheers,

Stu

"Stu Carnie" <stuart.carnie@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:cgdpia$bh7@odah37.prod.google.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I have been working on some 'extensions' to the existing Windows NT
> command shell / console API (specifically 2000, XP and 2003).
>
> It is different from replacement shells, like Take Command or WinOne,
> in that it will actually augment the existing shell (and STDIN / OUT /
> ERR) by 'injecting' itself into the console process.
>
> My motive for extending the shell has been
> 1. Replacing the very limited editing features of the existing console
> input APIs in Win32.
> 2. Not wanting to engineer another shell
> 3. Wanting all existing console apps to inherit this enhanced editing
> functionality, such as FTP, NETSH, TELNET, or the many others out
> there.
> 4. Persisting the history across sessions!
> 5. Providing standard windows editing features like CUT (SHIFT-DEL) /
> COPY (CTRL-INS) / PASTE (SHIFT-INS) :)
>
> Let me explain further.
>
> A number of you are aware of the existing shell functions like F7 to
> bring up the history list, F8 to search the history list and tab-key
> directory / file completion. This not only works with cmd.exe, but
> other command line tools like FTP, NETSH and TELNET. In fact any
> console app that uses the ReadConsole kernel32 API has this
> functionality.
>
> You will even see this in .Net if you use the Console.ReadLine.
>
> I have been writing a DLL, that when injected into a CUI (console)
> process, replaces certain kernel32 APIs to enhance their current
> features, such as the ReadConsole API.
>
> I already have a working prototype that is stable and successfully
> injects itself into the console process. It will also attach to all
> spawned CUI process from this process.
>
> I'm curious how many would be interested in such an enhancement. I'm
> not planning on charging for it, but perhaps 'donation ware'..
>
> V1.0 will be a public version, but will not support user enhancements.
> V2.0 is planned to allow 3rd parties to customize their own shortcuts,
> allow context sensitive user defined command completion (like zsh),
> .Net plugins and many others.
>
> This is not like MONAD / msh. msh is a new command shell, whereas
> cmdEX sits under the shell to enhance the interactivity.
>
> I will be creating a home page for it soon and providing a forum for
> discussion in the next 2 to 3 weeks, and I will post back when it is
> available.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Stu
>

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