FileForums - CmdOut - Capture Cmd Output in Realtime [InnoSetup/Delphi]

CmdOut - High-Performance Real-time CMD Capture API for Inno Setup
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Code:

> Overview:

CmdOut is a powerful, low-latency library designed to capture and display 

standard output (STDOUT) from command-line processes directly within Inno 

Setup. Re-written in Nim for maximum efficiency, it allows developers to 

integrate external tools (like 7-Zip, SREP, XTool, or custom batch files) 

into their installers with real-time feedback, progress tracking, and full 

process control.



> Specifications:

- Version        : v2.0.0.0

- Author        : BLACKFIRE (Original by Ele)

- Language        : Nim (v2.2.8)

- Compatibility        : Inno Setup v5.x, v6.x or later

- License       : Proprietary (See LICENSE file for details)

Code:

> Key Features:

- Real-time Capture: Blazing fast STDOUT capturing with persistent 

  buffer allocation to eliminate GC overhead and flickering.

- Smart UI Integration: Direct updates to TMemo handles with optimized 

  scrolling and redraw logic.

- Process Management: Full control to Suspend, Resume, or Stop the main 

  process and all its child processes.

- Auto-Progress Detection: Built-in logic to extract progress percentages 

  (e.g., "50%", "30.37%") or fractions (e.g., "5/10") from the console output.

- Advanced Targeting: Control specific sub-processes by name using 

  ISCmdCustomPause/Resume/Stop (e.g., target 'srep.exe' specifically).

- Windows Message Support: Control the console via SendMessage for 

  decoupled architecture.

- Performance Metrics: Retrieve Exit Codes, PIDs, and Elapsed Time (ms) 

  for precise post-execution logic.

- Visual Customization: Experimental support for changing console fonts 

  and adding custom header text to outputs.



> What's New in v2.0 (Nim Rewrite):

- Ported from Delphi to Nim: Significant reduction in DLL size and 

  improved performance.

- O(n) String Operations: Replaced repeated concatenations with 

  pre-calculated memory moves for large output handling.

- Modern API: Standardized buffer patterns for string returns and 

  Unicode (UTF-16) support throughout.

- Fixed UI Glitches: Resolved TMemo flickering and improved performance.

Code:

> Builds: optimized for speed, not size.



1. cmdout_clang.dll

    Size: 81 KB, Clang backend: v22.1.2



2. cmdout_gcc.dll

    Size: 99 KB, GCC backend  : v15.2.0



3. cmdout_msvc.dll

    Size: 143 KB, MSVC backend : v18.4.3



> Distribution Files:

- CmdOut.dll        — Core API Library.

- CmdOut.iss         — Header for Inno Setup integration.

- Examples         — 6 comprehensive .iss templates covering Common usage, 

                  Percentage tracking, Multi-handles, and Win-Messages.

- Quick Start Example -

[CODE]

Code:

#include "CmdOut.iss"



procedure InitializeWizard();

begin

  // Initialize with WizardForm handle and a Memo handle

  ISCmdInit(WizardForm.Handle, MyMemo.Handle, False, True);

end;



procedure DeinitializeSetup();

begin

  // if ISCmdRun is still running.

  bCmdOutAbort := True; // or ISCmdStop;

  ISCmdCleanup;

end;



procedure StartInstallation();

var

  Exe, Params, Dir: String;

begin

  Exe := ExpandConstant('{src}\tools\arc.exe');

  Params := 'a -m=lzma data.bin "_Pack\*"';

  Dir := ExpandConstant('{src}');



  // Run with real-time callback

  if ISCmdRun(Exe, Params, Dir, CreateCallback(@UpdateMemo)) then

    MsgBox('Process finished with code: ' + IntToStr(ISCmdGetExitCode), mbInformation, MB_OK);

end;



function UpdateMemo(const ACaption, AText: WideString; const hMemo: HWND): Boolean;

begin

  // Update UI and return True if you want to abort

  ISCmdUpdateMemo(hMemo, AText);

  Result := UserAborted; 

end;