Width
Sets or gets the number of rows and columns of the display
Syntax
`
Width [columns] [, rows]
Width LPrint columns
Width { #filenum | devicename }, columns
result = Width( )
`
Parameters
`columns`
columns (in characters) for output
`rows`
rows (in characters) for output
`filenum`
file number to apply to
`devicename`
device name to apply to
Return Value
Returns a 32 bit `Long` where the High Word is the number of rows and the Low Word is the number of columns currently set.
Description
Sets the maximum number of columns of characters of an output device (console, printer or text file). If text sent to the device reaches the width an automatic carriage return is generated.
Using `Width` as a function returns the current console width in the low word and the current height in the high word.
If a device is not given then `Width` takes effect on the active console/graphics screen, and a second argument specifying maximum number of rows is allowed.
In graphics modes `Width` is used to indirectly select the font size by setting one of the character height * width pairs allowed (See `Screen (Graphics)`). If `rows` / `cols` is an invalid combination, no changes are made to the screen display.
Valid font heights are 8 pixels, 14 pixels and 16 pixels. The fonts all have a fixed width of 8 pixels.
(see second example)
Using the `Width` command in graphic mode also forces a screen clear (`Cls`).
Example
`
Dim As Long w
w = Width
Print "rows: " & HiWord(w)
Print "cols: " & LoWord(w)
`
`
''Set up a graphics screen
Const W = 320, H = 200
ScreenRes W, H
Dim As Long twid
Dim As UInteger tw, th
'' Fetch and print current text width/height:
twid = Width()
tw = LoWord(twid): th = HiWord(twid)
Print "Default for current screen (8*8)"
Print "Width: " & tw
Print "Height: " & th
Sleep
Width W\8, H\16 '' Use 8*16 font
twid = Width()
tw = LoWord(twid): th = HiWord(twid)
Print "Set to 8*16 font"
Print "Width: " & tw
Print "Height: " & th
Sleep
Width W\8, H\14 '' Use 8*14 font
twid = Width()
tw = LoWord(twid): th = HiWord(twid)
Print "Set to 8*14 font"
Print "Width: " & tw
Print "Height: " & th
Sleep
Width W\8, H\8 '' Use 8*8 font
twid = Width()
tw = LoWord(twid): th = HiWord(twid)
Print "Set to 8*8 font"
Print "Width: " & tw
Print "Height: " & th
Sleep
`
Platform Differences

- In a Windows console any values > `0` can be used in windowed mode.
- On a DOS or Windows full-screen console, the valid dimensions depend on the capabilities of the hardware.
- Linux doesn't allow applications to change the console size.

Differences from QB

- `columns` was limited to `40` or `80`, while `rows` could be `25`, `30`, `43`, `50` or `60`, depending on the graphics hardware and screen mode being used.

See also

- `LoWord`
- `HiWord`
- `CsrLin`
- `Pos`