Extensions with console-like behavior

[trstringer]

Currently with the extensions API, we have access to output channels (creation and access through vscode.window.createOutputChannel()). And likewise, we can get adhoc user input through vscode.window.showInputBox.

I think what would be really helpful is if the extensions API included the capability to have a console-like experience, much like the debug console has (input part of the experience with the output). Not necessarily for "debugging" purposes, but for a more consistent and extended user experience exchange for ongoing for user input creation, then VS Code output consumption, followed by more user input creation, ... so on and so forth.

At the moment, the showInputBox() functionality with the output channel can seem like a one-time exchange, without the continuity of a input/output console (like the debugger console).

[daviwil]

Here's an earlier issue filed for the same feature request: #547

[jrieken]

closing as duplicate of #547