Smart user input processing in Console

Question

I have to: 1. Write an information to user. 2. Read the typed message. 3. If message is empty then close application.

It is very simple to just read the user input in following way and process it:

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        string line;
        Console.WriteLine(message);

        while ((line = Console.ReadLine()).Length > 0)
        {
            // process line here and return output to console

            Console.WriteLine(message);
        }
    }

But as I am a purist I want to omit all repeated statements (like "Console.WriteLine(message);" in this example). I have already tried the do{..}while(..) loop with no success (repeated Console.ReadLine() statements).

Do you have any smart idea how to accomplish this task?

Snowbear · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-21 15:37:50Z

1

while (true)
{
     Console.WriteLine(message);
     var line = Console.ReadLine();
     if (line == "") break;
     else DoStuff();
}

answered Nov 21, 2011 at 15:37

Snowbear

17.3k3 gold badges45 silver badges67 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

SuperUser Over a year ago

Is it OK to use infinite loops and a break? I was taught that it's "undesirable coding".

Snowbear Over a year ago

IMO, it is OK since C# doesn't have any more suitable constructions for that. I would prefer while (true) than moving some to condition and hence duplicating it. I think this topic is pretty subjective.

Snowbear · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-21 15:42:52Z

0

Create lazily evaluated IEnumerable<string> (let's say I can get this IEnumerable from method ReadAllLines in sample below) which will return lines read from Console. Then you can do something like this with LINQ:

var lines = ReadAllLines()
                .TakeWhile(line => line != "");
foreach (var line in lines) DoStuff();

answered Nov 21, 2011 at 15:42

Snowbear

17.3k3 gold badges45 silver badges67 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Smart user input processing in Console

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related