How can I copy a string to the clipboard within my console application WITHOUT adding a reference to System.Windows.Forms?

Question

I have a .NET 4.0 console application that generates SQL and stores it in a string variable. I want this string to be copied directly to the clipboard.

So far, all m

Answer 1

Platform invoking the clipboard APIs is a possible solution. Example:

using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
class Program
{
    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
    internal static extern bool OpenClipboard(IntPtr hWndNewOwner);

    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
    internal static extern bool CloseClipboard();

    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
    internal static extern bool SetClipboardData(uint uFormat, IntPtr data);

    [STAThread]
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        OpenClipboard(IntPtr.Zero);
        var yourString = "Hello World!";
        var ptr = Marshal.StringToHGlobalUni(yourString);
        SetClipboardData(13, ptr);
        CloseClipboard();
        Marshal.FreeHGlobal(ptr);
    }
}

This is just an example. Adding a little error handling around the code, like checking the return values of the P/Invoke functions, would be a good addition.

SetClipboardData is the interesting bit. You also want to make sure you open and close the clipboard, too.

The 13 passed in as the first argument is the data format. 13 means a Unicode string.

Answer 2

The Marshal.StringToHGlobalUni function actually allocates memory in a fashion unsuitable for SetClipboardData (using LocalAlloc with LMEM_FIXED), which can cause crashes (you wouldn't expect it given the method name, but stepping into the code e.g. using ReSharper reveals this).

SetClipboardData requires GlobalAlloc with GMEM_MOVABLE according to the documentation: SetClipboardData on MSDN.

Here's an MIT licensed System.Windows.Forms alternative, tested and complete with error handling: Clippy

(The clipboard pushing code itself is to be found here: Clippy.cs.)