C#: Restrict how a console app can be called

We have a product that is a C# console app. Is it possible to restrict it to run from the comm开发者_开发问答and line only? In other words, users wouldn't be able to call it from a script or another app.

If it is, some example code would be much appreciated. Thanks.

---

You can check the process that created your application using the code given here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa569609.aspx#Question3 . To be started at the DOS command line the parent process should be cmd.exe. Note however as pointed out by Colin this can be bypassed easily using a batch script. You can disable that as well by making sure that the command prompt arguments to cmd.exe are null. For this you will need to use WMI :
http://skysanders.net/subtext/archive/2010/04/11/using-wmi-to-fetch-the-command-line-that-started-all.aspx
You should also check the cmd.exe image is from system32 folder.

---

I don't think it is possible to tell the difference.

Certainly the parent process is not a useful indicator. This is what you get in the parent process:

1. type app name into Command Prompt:     cmd.exe
2. call app from batch script:            cmd.exe
3. Double click on app or shortcut:       explorer.exe
4. type app name into Run dialog box:     explorer.exe   

If you intend for 1. to be a valid way to start your program, then I don't think you can stop 2. which means your app can be called from any script or any program (since it's simple for another program to create a 1 line batch script and execute it)

(BTW, does anyone know a way to get a table on StackOverflow?)

---

@swisston if you start your console application from your another own application, than i want to recommend you "named kernel objects". For example mutex. You can create named mutex in your parent app. Then in main thread of your child console app try to open this mutex. If mutex not opened (not found): console app has no permissions to continue and must be closed;) wait, i'll make some code for you;)

Edit: So it is very easy tactics. In parent app create your named mutex:

Mutex mutex = new Mutex(true, "MyPermissions");

Then in your child console application check if your mutex exists:

    static bool CheckPermissions()
    {
        try
        {
            Mutex mutex = Mutex.OpenExisting("MyPermissions");
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            return false;
        }

        return true;
    }

If your console application was run without your parent application CheckPermissions method will return false and console must be closed;)

---

I don't agree with what you're trying to do, but here is an idea that could work: require some sort of user input at the beginning of the program, maybe some sort of CAPTCHA (difficult to do in command line, but theoretically possible. Think ASCII art).