Pitch dark (Earth Hour remembrance)

Question

Your goal is simple: the program must turn the screen of your computer totally black.

After the program is started, the screen must quickly turn completely black, and remain so until the program is exited (any key, or alt+F4, mouse movement, etc.), after which things should turn back to normal. So shutting down the computer or turning the power of the monitor off is NOT allowed. Not a single non-black pixel should be visible during this time, not even a blinking cursor.

The user should not do any preparation (moving the mouse outside the screen, disconnecting cables, etc. or user input after the program started), just start the program.

You can safely assume the computer has only one monitor attached. We also assume a standard desktop or notebook computer, because doing it on a specific device without a normal monitor would be too simple.

If you use any external resources (a black image, a GUI file, etc.) their size in bytes is added to your code size.

It's OK if it only works on one OS family, or if it requires opengl etc., but requiring a very specific hardware configuration is frowned upon.

Your source code must be written in a programming language, not just a configuration file some other program (like a screen saver) will use.

@IsmaelMiguel : you can safely assume a screen in perfect working condition. Otherwise we could object other questions in the style of "what if a transistor in my ALU is burned out and my computer cannot do any floating point math?" :) — vsz, Commented May 6, 2014 at 16:37
Fun fact: on screens that use neither CRT nor dynamic contrast, this will use slightly more electricity! — Ry-, Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:11
real world application: Astronomy! lists.apple.com/archives/Carbon-dev/2008/May/msg00005.html — Not that Charles, Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:23
All of the answers are automatically disqualified—one of my monitors has a pixel whose red value is always 255! — The Guy with The Hat, Commented May 6, 2014 at 19:16

Hannes Karppila · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-06 17:04:16Z

31

Assembly (bootloader) 131 chars / 512 bytes compiled (actually smaller, but bootsector must be 512 bytes long.)

It is a simple boot loader. When computer starts, BIOS will load it from disk (floppy). Then it enters into graphics mode and just hangs. When user presses the power button, program will end and computer will enter to mode where is was before running program.

Tested with VirtualBox.

It will compile with nasm:

nasm -f bin file.asm -o start.img

Source code:

[BITS 16]
[ORG 0x7C00]
cli
mov AX,0x0
mov SS,AX
mov SP,0x9000
sti
mov AH,0x0
mov AL,0x13
int 0x10
times 510 - ($-$$) db 0
dw 0xAA55

edited May 6, 2014 at 17:04

answered May 6, 2014 at 16:50

Hannes Karppila

3,2462 gold badges20 silver badges41 bronze badges

1

\$\begingroup\$ How to run on VirtualBox: (compile using nasm), new VM, Type: Other, version: Other/Unknown, no hard drive. Next up go to the VM's settings, select Storage, right click in the list, and select "Add Floppy Controller". Mount the compiled img file to the floppy drive. Save, and then you can run it. Enjoy! \$\endgroup\$
– Zoey Mertes
Commented May 6, 2014 at 23:36
\$\begingroup\$ I wanted to do the same thing as a dos program, but you were faster. Basically the only thing I remember of assembler from waaay back :) \$\endgroup\$
– Fels
Commented Aug 22, 2014 at 12:34
\$\begingroup\$ Can you please explain how it works? \$\endgroup\$
– univalence
Commented Aug 1, 2016 at 6:50
\$\begingroup\$ Why the cli and sti? Moves to SS automatically disable interrupts for the duration of the next instruction, and AX won't be changed if an interrupt happens before MOV SS,AX. Also, why not MOV AX, 0x13 instead of two MOVs? \$\endgroup\$
– Ruslan
Commented Aug 1, 2018 at 11:42
\$\begingroup\$ Younger me didn't know how to write code properly. Current me probably doesn't know either. \$\endgroup\$
– Hannes Karppila
Commented Aug 4, 2018 at 0:03

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-04-13 12:39:05Z

22

Bash, 28 _{^{or 12}}

Assuming default installation of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.

gnome-screensaver-command -a

Automatically starts the screensaver, which is a black screen by default.

Edit: As suggested by @Glenn Randers-Pehrson, here's one with 12 bytes

/*/*/gn*d -a

Note that this may not work if you have another file on your system that satisfies this name, say /tmp/1/gnd. _{^{But it's code-golf, who cares?}}

Check out my other bash answer if you don't use Gnome screensaver!

edited Apr 13, 2017 at 12:39

CommunityBot

1

answered May 6, 2014 at 17:03

user12205

9,0183 gold badges32 silver badges65 bronze badges

2

\$\begingroup\$ The kind of answer that makes you think: 'Why on earth didn't I think of that?'. :) \$\endgroup\$
– anon582847382
Commented May 6, 2014 at 18:33
1

\$\begingroup\$ That's not really clearing the screen using bash. \$\endgroup\$
– Darth Egregious
Commented May 6, 2014 at 18:49
3

\$\begingroup\$ "Your source code must be written in a programming language, not just a configuration file some other program (like a screen saver) will use." \$\endgroup\$
– Hannes Karppila
Commented May 6, 2014 at 19:03
2

\$\begingroup\$ @hannes karppila I did not change any configuration file that any other program will use. I only started another program, which most bash scripts do (unless written in pure bash) \$\endgroup\$
– user12205
Commented May 6, 2014 at 19:07
5

\$\begingroup\$ @ace, Golfed: /*/*/gn*d instead of gnome-screensaver-command will save about 16 bytes (idea by mniip) \$\endgroup\$
– Glenn Randers-Pehrson
Commented May 6, 2014 at 20:52

| Show 5 more comments

Darth Egregious · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-06 18:59:29Z

15

QBASIC (31)

SCREEN 7
WHILE INKEY$=""
WEND

answered May 6, 2014 at 18:59

Darth Egregious

2771 silver badge6 bronze badges

14

\$\begingroup\$ @TheGuywithTheHat I finally found a use for my windows 3.1 vm. \$\endgroup\$
– Darth Egregious
Commented May 6, 2014 at 21:01
3

\$\begingroup\$ Wow seeing that WEND brought back memories \$\endgroup\$
– Claudiu
Commented May 7, 2014 at 14:30
\$\begingroup\$ @user973810 You mean QB64. \$\endgroup\$
– user344
Commented May 19, 2014 at 18:56

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

14

Java : 165

Simple Java, just creates a fullscreen black frame. To exit you have to Alt+Tab back to the console and Ctrl-C, but that seems simple enough.

import java.awt.*;class B{public static void main(String[]a){Frame f=new Frame();f.setExtendedState(6);f.setUndecorated(1>0);f.setBackground(Color.BLACK);f.show();}}

// line breaks below

import java.awt.*;
class B{
    public static void main(String[]a){
        Frame f=new Frame();
        f.setExtendedState(6);
        f.setUndecorated(1>0);
        f.setBackground(Color.BLACK);
        f.show();
    }
}

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered May 6, 2014 at 17:19

Geobits

19.7k4 gold badges55 silver badges125 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Geoff Reedy · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-06 16:56:22Z

11

Applesoft ][ BASIC (17)

1 HGR2:GET X:TEXT

answered May 6, 2014 at 16:56

Geoff Reedy

2,92816 silver badges17 bronze badges

\$\begingroup\$ I don't think this is actually 17 bytes...I think it might be less. If I remember correctly, Applesoft tokenized its keywords, so that each keyword was actually one byte...so this one may be significantly shorter. It's +1 either way. \$\endgroup\$
– Beska
Commented May 9, 2014 at 13:07

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

11

Bash - 57 26

C=/s*/*/*/*/b*ess;(A=$(cat $C);echo 0;cat;echo $A)|tee $C

On a laptop this will set the screen backlight brightness to 0 via /sys/class/backlight, on a tablet or phone this will set the screen led brightness to 0 via /sys/class/leds

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered May 6, 2014 at 17:26

mniip

9,4924 gold badges31 silver badges57 bronze badges

2

\$\begingroup\$ “and remain so until the program is exited (any key, or alt+F4, mouse movement, etc.), after which things should turn back to normal” \$\endgroup\$
– Ry-
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:28
1

\$\begingroup\$ Fn+F6, Fn+<up arrow> and many other key combinations fall into "any key" and "etc.", and those are one of the many to put the light back as it was. \$\endgroup\$
– Ismael Miguel
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:31
1

\$\begingroup\$ @minitech Oh. Well, fixed... \$\endgroup\$
– mniip
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:33
\$\begingroup\$ This doesn't work at all for me. If I do "C=/s*/*/*/*/bess;(A=$(cat $C);echo 0;cat;echo $A)|tee $C" from the bash prompt I get cat: /s*/*/*/*/bess: No such file or directory tee: /s*/*/*/*/b*ess: No such file or directory \$\endgroup\$
– user9206
Commented May 8, 2014 at 11:48
\$\begingroup\$ @Lembik I would assume that you don't have any brightness controllers or those present are lacking drivers. Mind pastebinning find /sys/class/{backlight,leds}/*/ ? \$\endgroup\$
– mniip
Commented May 8, 2014 at 11:56

| Show 2 more comments

Vereos · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-08 07:04:20Z

8

I know this is code-golf but I couldn't resist.

Just make sure you don't have any browser windows open (in this case, Chrome);

Execute this PitchBlack.bat (31 24 bytes):

chrome --kiosk file:///1

If placed in the same directory of your Chrome.exe file, this batch will execute Chrome in kiosk mode and it will open a file called /1 (49 41 34 bytes) in fullscreen:

<body bgcolor=0 style=cursor:none>

Et voilà!

Total byte count: 80 72 58
Thanks to @ace :)

To exit the program, you must go for a classic ALT+F4; You don't actually have to do any preparation after the program starts (neither before, you just have to place /1 and the batch file), so it's fine with the rules.

Please note that if you get your cursor towards the screen borders, it may become visible. The OP didn't say this was not allowed, since

After the program is started, the screen must quickly turn completely black, and remain so until the program is exited (any key, or alt+F4, mouse movement, etc.), after which things should turn back to normal.

So this should be totally ok! :P

edited May 8, 2014 at 7:04

answered May 7, 2014 at 14:08

Vereos

4,4514 gold badges21 silver badges38 bronze badges

1

\$\begingroup\$ Maybe something like chrome --kiosk 'data:text/html,<style>body{background:#000;cursor:none;}</style>' can work without additional file? \$\endgroup\$
– Vi.
Commented May 7, 2014 at 16:08
\$\begingroup\$ Means when using file: shceme you get no URL bar visible, but with data: scheme there is URL bar? \$\endgroup\$
– Vi.
Commented May 7, 2014 at 16:17
\$\begingroup\$ On my system chromium-browser --kiosk 'data:text/html,<style>body{background:#000;cursor:none;}</style> starts almost-fullscreen Chromium with the black page without any bars. \$\endgroup\$
– Vi.
Commented May 7, 2014 at 16:25
\$\begingroup\$ Tested on Ubuntu and Chromium 34.0, it works with file:///1 if the html is saved as /1, and the html file can be shortened to <body bgcolor=0 style=cursor:none> \$\endgroup\$
– user12205
Commented May 7, 2014 at 17:31
1

\$\begingroup\$ I think you should use chrome in your answer rather than chromium \$\endgroup\$
– user12205
Commented May 8, 2014 at 7:01

| Show 1 more comment

ProgramFOX · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-21 13:13:41Z

7

C# - 211 202 200 196 179 bytes

using System.Windows.Forms;class A{static void Main(){Cursor.Hide();new Form{BackColor=System.Drawing.Color.Black,WindowState=(FormWindowState)2,FormBorderStyle=0}.ShowDialog();}}

Hides the cursor and shows a full-screen black window. Can be closed with Alt+F4

Un-golfed code:

using System.Windows.Forms;
class A
{
    static void Main()
    {
        Cursor.Hide();
        new Form
        {
            BackColor = System.Drawing.Color.Black,
            WindowState = (FormWindowState)2, // FormWindowState.Maximized
            FormBorderStyle = 0 // FormBorderStyle.None
        }.ShowDialog();
    }
}

I don't need to cast to FormBorderStyle, because that's not necessary if the integer is 0.

edited Aug 21, 2014 at 13:13

answered May 6, 2014 at 17:01

ProgramFOX

8,3237 gold badges45 silver badges70 bronze badges

2

\$\begingroup\$ You can replace System.Drawing.Color.Black, FormWindowState.Maximized, FormWindowState.Maximized and FormBorderStyle.None with their corresponding values. \$\endgroup\$
– Ismael Miguel
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:03
\$\begingroup\$ @IsmaelMiguel: Thanks, I updated the FormWindowState and the FormBorderStyle! I couldn't update the Color, because that's not an enum. \$\endgroup\$
– ProgramFOX
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:08
\$\begingroup\$ Try Color.Black. It should work right away. Or BackColor=This.ForeColor, which MIGHT work too. \$\endgroup\$
– Ismael Miguel
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:11
\$\begingroup\$ @IsmaelMiguel: The first doesn't work because I didn't add using System.Drawing;, and the second doesn't work because I set the variable values inside brackets. \$\endgroup\$
– ProgramFOX
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:14
\$\begingroup\$ Try using System; then new Windows.Forms.Form and BackColor=Drawing.Color.Black. It MIGHT work! And save a few bytes. \$\endgroup\$
– Ismael Miguel
Commented May 6, 2014 at 17:17

| Show 11 more comments

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:41:23Z

5

C# 175 171 167

class P{static void Main(){SendMessage(65535,274,61808,2);}[System.Runtime.InteropServices.DllImport("user32")]static extern int SendMessage(int a,int b,int c,int d);}

A lot of the answers here don't actually make the screen black: on an LCD screen, the backlight remains on and bleeds through, leaving you with a darkish grey.

This little snippet actually tells Windows to turn off the screen, the same as what the inactivity timer does (Note: this doesn't violate the "no power off" rule because it really just causes the monitor to go into standby. Most monitors will turn back on when input is resumed. Also, that rule's intention seems to be to make sure the program can turn it back on - see below.)

Move the mouse or press a key to turn the screen back on.

Monitor power off adapted from https://stackoverflow.com/a/713519/1030702

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:41

CommunityBot

1

answered May 7, 2014 at 19:16

Bob

8646 silver badges6 bronze badges

\$\begingroup\$ "So shutting down the computer or turning the power of the monitor off is NOT allowed." \$\endgroup\$
– Ismael Miguel
Commented May 7, 2014 at 21:20
1

\$\begingroup\$ @IsmaelMiguel I have provided my justification. "until the program is exited (any key, or alt+F4, mouse movement, etc.), after which things should turn back to normal. So shutting..." - the rule's intention has been satisfied. This will "turn it back on". Leaving aside the intention, it also satifies the literal meaning, since, despite Microsoft's terminology, this isn't really turning it off (timeouts on projectors, etc., aside), it's placing it into standby. \$\endgroup\$
– Bob
Commented May 8, 2014 at 6:03

Add a comment |

JimmiTh · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-08 17:25:29Z

Amiga assembly

ASM-One - ~~228~~ 219 chars, 172 bytes compiled (168 bytes optimized)

It's been 20 years since I last coded a single line in Amiga assembly, so bear with me. :-)

The Amiga was a bit more involved than the PC in terms of setting up a blank screen, so tried to get rid of as much setup and teardown as possible. There's no disabling of interrupts or multitasking; no double WaitTOF; no view replacement; etc. I wouldn't even have written this for the quickest and dirtiest demo. Which means this:

is bad practice
may not be entirely safe
may not always work
even with those disclaimers, probably has stupid mistakes owing to 20 years of neglected assembly.

... although it's been tested on emulated A500 and A1200, with or without fast memory. Compiles to a standard executable. Mouse click exits.

l=$dff080
 move.l 4,a6
 lea g,a1
 jsr -408(a6)
 move.l d0,a1
 move.l 38(a1),d4
 jsr -412(a6)
 move.l #c,l
w:btst #6,$bfe001
 bne w
 move.l d4,l
 rts
g:dc.b "graphics.library",0
 SECTION d,DATA_C
c:dc 256,512,384,0,-1,-2

Less golfed:

COP1LC equ $dff080

    move.l  $4, a6          ; ExecBase
    lea     gfxname, a1
    jsr     -408(a6)        ; OpenLibrary (old, hence no need for clearing d0)
    move.l  d0, a1
    move.l  38(a1), d4      ; store copper list
    jsr     -414(a6)        ; CloseLibrary
                            ; Yeah, if I had a penny for the times I saw that left out
                            ; but I just... can't...

    move.l  #copper,COP1LC  ; write copper list

wait:
    btst    #6, $bfe001     ; Check mouse click
    bne     wait

    move.l  d4, COP1LC      ; restore copper list
    rts

gfxname:
    dc.b    "graphics.library", 0

    SECTION data, DATA_C
copper:
    dc.w $0100, $0200       ; disable bitplanes
    dc.w $0180, $0000       ; color 0 = black
    dc.w $ffff, $fffe       ; end

Yeah, this was more of an excuse for a nostalgia trip than a real attempt at code golf - Amiga assembly will rarely compete with Perl or Python in terms of character count. Although I was a bit surprised it couldn't beat C# or Java. :) — JimmiTh, Commented May 8, 2014 at 20:30

Harry Beadle · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-20 01:14:05Z

4

Python / Pygame 199 127 125 92

from pygame import*;display.set_mode((9,9),-1<<31);mouse.set_visible(0)
while 1:event.pump()

Thanks to some tips from ace.

edited Nov 20, 2014 at 1:14

answered May 7, 2014 at 11:46

Harry Beadle

7995 silver badges16 bronze badges

\$\begingroup\$ Since ALT+F4 counts, I'd take also ^C counts, so you can skip a lot of bytes at the end. \$\endgroup\$
– o0'.
Commented May 7, 2014 at 11:48
1

\$\begingroup\$ For ^C to work you need to be focused on the terminal, and in the program the pygame window is always focused due to pygame.FULLSCREEN Edit: One alternative would be to leave the program with no exit, which would require spamming the keyboard till your OS notices something is wrong. \$\endgroup\$
– Harry Beadle
Commented May 7, 2014 at 12:04
\$\begingroup\$ You can save some bytes by using from pygame import* instead. Also, I don't think fill((0,0,0)) is necessary since the default color is black. Then you can remove s altogether. I don't think display.flip() is needed either. Also, use one space for indentation instead of 4 can save you more spaces. Finally, instead of FULLSCREEN and KEYDOWN, you can use their numeric values, namely -1<<31 (-2147483648) and 2 respectively. \$\endgroup\$
– user12205
Commented May 7, 2014 at 19:25

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

4

TI-BASIC, 7 6

Shade(Ymin,Ymax

Works both in the terminal (home screen) or as a program. Pressing ON or most other buttons returns to the terminal/home screen.

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered May 12, 2014 at 13:43

Timtech

12.6k2 gold badges45 silver badges61 bronze badges

\$\begingroup\$ Can be one byte smaller (and work even if the graph screen window is changed) as Shade(Ymin,Ymax. \$\endgroup\$
– lirtosiast
Commented Jun 7, 2015 at 2:14
\$\begingroup\$ @ThomasKwa You're right, thanks for the tip! \$\endgroup\$
– Timtech
Commented Aug 1, 2015 at 22:09

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

Commodore 64 (16 bytes)

ROL $A903
BRK
STA $D020
STA $D011
JSR $FF8A
JMP ($032C)

It has been more than 20 years since I used Turbo Assembler, so I can only provide source for use in VICE's monitor. Assemble this at $032C and save[1] through $033B. Reset and LOAD"PITCHDARK",8,1. Hit good ol' Runstop+Restore[2] to get back to normal.

How does it work?

Here's the true source:

032C 2E 03      .BY 2E 03
032E A9 00      LDA #$00
0330 8D 20 D0   STA $D020   ; set border color  
0333 8D 11 D0   STA $D011   ; set VIC blanking mode
0336 20 15 FD   JSR $FF8A   ; reset the vectors we trampled
0339 6C 2C 03   JMP ($032C) ; call the real CLALL

$032C is the kernal CLALL or "Close All Channels And Files" vector. As part of its cleanup, the BASIC LOAD command does a CLR which in turn calls CLALL. We replace the CLALL vector with a pointer to our own routine immediately after the vector. We set the border to black and cover the screen with the border, and then call RESTOR at $FF8A. The last vector replaced by RESTOR is SAVE at $0332-0333 which means the last 8 bytes are undisturbed. We then exit via the restored CLALL vector to continue LOAD's execution.

Thanks for this, it was fun trip down memory lane, relearning how to do an autorun program :)

[1] use save and not bsave so that load with ,1 works correctly
[2] Escape + PageUp in x64, probably.

Ry- · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-19 19:20:05Z

3

sh/X11 on Arch Linux, 26

b=/b*/*ht;$b =0;read;$b =7

edited May 19, 2014 at 19:20

answered May 6, 2014 at 17:15

Ry-

5,3931 gold badge24 silver badges32 bronze badges

\$\begingroup\$ you can probably shave a few chars with an alias and maybe using -set for both \$\endgroup\$
– ardnew
Commented May 6, 2014 at 19:49
1

\$\begingroup\$ Use xbacklight = 0 and xbacklight + 7. \$\endgroup\$
– bb010g
Commented May 8, 2014 at 7:13
1

\$\begingroup\$ 29 bytes: x=xbacklight;$x +0;read;$x +7 \$\endgroup\$
– user344
Commented May 19, 2014 at 19:05
\$\begingroup\$ @nyuszika7h: Thanks! (Got it to 28, too!) \$\endgroup\$
– Ry-
Commented May 19, 2014 at 19:09

Add a comment |

score 3 · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-19 19:40:09Z

3

Bash, 37

Uses unclutter to hide the mouse pointer and a fullscreen session of xterm to black the screen. The cursor will reappear for a moment if you move it, but if you leave it alone the screen will be black until you press Ctrl+C.

It will take a few seconds for the mouse cursor to disappear (as long as you don't move it). If this isn't fast enough, add the -grab option to unclutter for an additional 6 chars.

unclutter&xterm -fu -bg black -e yes ''

WARNING: this will leave a process of unclutter running even after you press Ctrl+C, use killall unclutter to stop it.

Explanation

unclutter & launches unclutter. The & is there so we can get on with the next command instead of waiting for this one to terminate.

xterm -fullscreen launches XTerm, whose background is black by default.

The -e yes '' option causes XTerm to run yes '', thereby printing the empty string forever. This serves to hide the terminal cursor, and also provides the Ctrl+C functionality.

edited May 19, 2014 at 19:40

answered May 6, 2014 at 19:56

user16402

\$\begingroup\$ Screen gets completely white in my system. \$\endgroup\$
– Vi.
Commented May 7, 2014 at 16:05
\$\begingroup\$ @Vi. that means your XTerm background colour is white. \$\endgroup\$
– user16402
Commented May 7, 2014 at 16:31
\$\begingroup\$ You can abbreviate "-fullscreen" to "-fu", and use "-bg black" to force black background color regardless of user preferences. \$\endgroup\$
– semi-extrinsic
Commented May 14, 2014 at 12:17
\$\begingroup\$ You can remove the spaces around & to save 2 bytes. \$\endgroup\$
– user344
Commented May 19, 2014 at 19:01

Add a comment |

user12205 · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-19 20:19:08Z

3

Bash, 31 (or 52)

On a TTY, use the following script (assuming your default TTY background is black, which is true at least for Ubuntu 12.04 LTS):

setterm -foreground black
clear

Your TTY would still be fully functional even after using this script :)

If this isn't allowed, use the following (52 bytes):

x='setterm -foreground'
$x black
clear
read
$x white

And press Enter to terminate the script.

Special thanks to @nyuszika7h.

edited May 19, 2014 at 20:19

answered May 8, 2014 at 7:21

user12205

9,0183 gold badges32 silver badges65 bronze badges

1

\$\begingroup\$ For the second case: x='setterm -foreground';$x black;clear;read;$x white (52 bytes). \$\endgroup\$
– user344
Commented May 19, 2014 at 19:08

Add a comment |

segfaultd · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-08 17:07:20Z

2

Processing, 113

void setup(){noCursor();size(displayWidth, displayHeight);background(0);}boolean sketchFullScreen(){return true;}

I tried putting the code above onto draw() to save some bytes, but it didn't work. Press Alt-F4 to quit.

answered May 8, 2014 at 17:07

segfaultd

1,2278 silver badges6 bronze badges

Add a comment |

kitcar2000 · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-09 16:07:33Z

2

ZX Spectrum Basic (29 bytes)

1 FOR x=0 TO 255
2 FOR y=0 TO 175
3 PLOT x,y
4 NEXT y
5 NEXT x

Iterates over the screen, plotting black pixels which are automatically cleared when the program finishes.

_{^{The ZX Spectrum's edition of basic uses single bytes as commands and no newlines, if counting displayed characters you get 61 chars.}}

edited May 9, 2014 at 16:07

answered May 7, 2014 at 16:38

kitcar2000

2,72315 silver badges24 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Brian Bowman · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-23 07:21:56Z

2

Lua + LÖVE (50)

love.mouse.setVisible()love.window.setFullscreen""

Both functions are supposed to take a boolean argument, yet this works.

answered May 23, 2014 at 7:21

Brian Bowman

1814 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

2

QBasic, 9 bytes

CLS:SLEEP

CLS clears the screen, SLEEP without any arguments holds execution until a key is pressed.

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered Jan 24, 2017 at 13:46

steenbergh

8,1441 gold badge25 silver badges41 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

2

SmileBASIC, 15 bytes

XSCREEN 4
EXEC.

Pressing START or SELECT will end the program.

XSCREEN 4 sets the display mode to show a 320*480 image spanning both screens. This should clear everything, so an ACLS is not required. EXEC. makes the code repeat by constantly running the program in slot 0. I wasn't able to do XSCREEN 4EXEC. because you can't have a number directly before E

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered Jan 24, 2017 at 16:45

12Me21

6,7211 gold badge22 silver badges40 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Brian · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-07 15:59:51Z

1

Sinclair BASIC - 28 chars

BORDER 0:PAPER 0:CLS:PAUSE 0

The thing about Sinclair BASIC was each keyword had it's own character code (taking up one byte), so this would actually take up 13 bytes including spaces.

answered May 7, 2014 at 15:59

Brian

1,2578 silver badges9 bronze badges

\$\begingroup\$ Does this return the screen to normal after finishing? \$\endgroup\$
– kitcar2000
Commented May 9, 2014 at 16:02
\$\begingroup\$ @kitcar2000 - Thinking about it, no. I'd probably add ":NEW" at the end as a quick and dirty reset, taking it up to 32 chars/15 bytes \$\endgroup\$
– Brian
Commented May 10, 2014 at 17:04
\$\begingroup\$ I think that it is only 10 bytes (12 with :NEW) as the commands are single bytes rather than a collection of characters. \$\endgroup\$
– kitcar2000
Commented May 10, 2014 at 17:19

Add a comment |

snail_ · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-24 16:20:34Z

1

SmileBASIC, 23 bytes

Runs forever until the program is force-killed with START or SELECT. This makes both screens completely black, going so far to disable 3D (thus turning off the 3D LED on o3DS.)

ACLS:XSCREEN 3@L GOTO@L

answered Jan 24, 2017 at 16:20

snail_

2,67012 silver badges16 bronze badges

Add a comment |

2xsaiko · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-28 20:14:06Z

1

Most POSIX compatible shells (at least `bash` and `zsh`), 21

Needs to be run on a tty

tput civis;clear;read

First command hides the cursor, second command clears the screen (duh) and third command reads a line of text

answered Jan 28, 2017 at 20:14

2xsaiko

7694 silver badges7 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Max Chuquimia · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-07 11:47:01Z

0

BASH - 14 chars

pmset sleepnow does the job!

(typed into my Mac's Terminal)

edited May 7, 2014 at 11:47

answered May 7, 2014 at 5:19

Max Chuquimia

5513 silver badges5 bronze badges

\$\begingroup\$ You should specify the OS and/or other prerequisites in your answer. \$\endgroup\$
– user12205
Commented May 7, 2014 at 7:36
\$\begingroup\$ @ace answer edited :) \$\endgroup\$
– Max Chuquimia
Commented May 7, 2014 at 11:48
\$\begingroup\$ Doesn't sleep shut the monitor down? \$\endgroup\$
– o0'.
Commented May 7, 2014 at 12:03

Add a comment |

manatwork · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

0

Bash: 48 characters

eval xrandr\ --output\ DP1\ --{off,auto}\;read\;

CW because not clear whether it qualifies due to the way it works:

The produced black screen is real power saving: it cuts off information sending to display 1.
Many computer displays when detect signal loss, will temporarily or periodically show their own notice.

(Note that DP1 is the first connected display. If you have a laptop, its embedded display is eDP1.)

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

community wiki

manatwork

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

0

HTML Application (.hta), 102 bytes

<HTA:APPLICATION CAPTION=no innerborder=0 border=dialog scroll=0 windowstate=maximize><body bgcolor=0>

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered Jan 28, 2017 at 20:55

user2428118

2,0561 gold badge19 silver badges35 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

0

TI-80 BASIC, 5 bytes

ZOOM OUT
ZOOM OUT
GRIDON

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered Feb 16, 2017 at 15:55

12Me21

6,7211 gold badge22 silver badges40 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-17 09:04:33Z

0

Chip-8, 0 bytes

[T]he original Chip-8 interpreter began execution from 0x01FC. The interpreter includes two permanent Chip-8 instructions at this location that are always executed at the start of every programme. The first of these, 0x00E0, clears the display RAM by setting all the bits to zero. The second, 0x004B, calls a machine language routine within the interpreter that switches the VIP’s display on.

Source: http://laurencescotford.co.uk/?p=75

edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:04

CommunityBot

1

answered Oct 6, 2017 at 16:28

12Me21

6,7211 gold badge22 silver badges40 bronze badges

Add a comment |

Stack Exchange Network

Pitch dark (Earth Hour remembrance)

29 Answers 29

Bash, 28 _{^{or 12}}

QBASIC (31)

Java : 165

Bash - 57 26

C# - 211 202 200 196 179 bytes

C# 175 171 167

Amiga assembly

Python / Pygame 199 127 125 92

TI-BASIC, 7 6

Commodore 64 (16 bytes)

sh/X11 on Arch Linux, 26

Bash, 37

Explanation

Bash, 31 (or 52)

Processing, 113

ZX Spectrum Basic (29 bytes)

Lua + LÖVE (50)

QBasic, 9 bytes

SmileBASIC, 15 bytes

Sinclair BASIC - 28 chars

SmileBASIC, 23 bytes

Most POSIX compatible shells (at least `bash` and `zsh`), 21

BASH - 14 chars

Bash: 48 characters

HTML Application (.hta), 102 bytes

TI-80 BASIC, 5 bytes

Chip-8, 0 bytes

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged
code-golf
or ask your own question.

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Pitch dark (Earth Hour remembrance)

29 Answers 29

Bash, 28 or 12

QBASIC (31)

Java : 165

Bash - 57 26

C# - 211 202 200 196 179 bytes

C# 175 171 167

Amiga assembly

Python / Pygame 199 127 125 92

TI-BASIC, 7 6

Commodore 64 (16 bytes)

sh/X11 on Arch Linux, 26

Bash, 37

Explanation

Bash, 31 (or 52)

Processing, 113

ZX Spectrum Basic (29 bytes)

Lua + LÖVE (50)

QBasic, 9 bytes

SmileBASIC, 15 bytes

Sinclair BASIC - 28 chars

SmileBASIC, 23 bytes

Most POSIX compatible shells (at least bash and zsh), 21

BASH - 14 chars

Bash: 48 characters

HTML Application (.hta), 102 bytes

TI-80 BASIC, 5 bytes

Chip-8, 0 bytes

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged code-golf or ask your own question.

Linked

Related

Hot Network Questions

Bash, 28 _{^{or 12}}

Most POSIX compatible shells (at least `bash` and `zsh`), 21

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged
code-golf
or ask your own question.