[kevin_af]

disclaimer: C++ newbie here...


I want to be able to have my code delete a file from the current directory. For example:


char x[9]="file.exe";
system("del" x);



The reason I dont just put system("del file.exe") is because I want to be able to come back and change the file name later without having to search my code for every instance of it.

Anyone know how I can do this?

Thanks!

[coderitr]

Deleted.

[Shadow2531]

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
int main(void)
{
string del = "del file.exe";
system(del.c_str());
return 0;
}

or you could split it up like this

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
int main(void)
{
string del = "del ";
string file = "file.exe";
string delcommand = del + file;
system(delcommand.c_str());
return 0;
}

[MustBNuts]

I am curious, kevin, why a new programmer would want his first project to be about deleting files...?

When one is learning, there are a lot of things you could be doing that are more productive...this looks a bit fishy....I hope we are not assisting someone in their quest to create malicious code.

[kevin_af]

Of course I am not trying to create malicious code. I am writing a program for a homework assignment that reads in some values a user types in and stores them in a file. The values are taken from the file later on for other use in the program. I only want to use the file as a storage place for those values, and do not want the file to be left over in the directory when I am finished with it. So therefore I must delete it! Thanks for your responses so far! They are helpful!

[MustBNuts]

See, now it comes out. Around here, we frown upon doing people's homework.

[Guy]

Doing homework is one thing, but helping him with a specific problem about one piece of his code is another. I think this is acceptable to answer since he just wants to know how to delete a file.

Anyway, Shadow's second example is probably your best bet. If you need to use character arrays (C strings) then try this example (untested):

#include <string.h>

int main ()
{
  char str[20];
  strcpy (str,"del  ");
  strcat (str,"file.exe");
  return 0;
}

[MustBNuts]

nope, disagree with ya on that one. He did not offer code that did not work, he put in a request for code to be written for him....and just as important, was not forthcoming about the fact that it was homework.

Further, it's a new member with a whopping three posts to his name...

Add to that the fact that we are now living at a time when a lot of young kids with too much time on their hands think its fun to write malicious code and send it out.

Sorry, this sort of post gives me the heebee-jeebees and I don't think the answer should have been given.

MBN

[coderitr]

I have to second MBN's opinion. (See post #2 above.) After a lengthy discussion with MBN via PM in the wee hours of the morning I deleted my answer to his question. Too many viruses are being coded and released to take chances. I'll be more careful in the future.

[MustBNuts]

Thanks coderitr, I appreciate the backup!

MBN

[kevin_af]

Well I feel the need to defend myself. Not meaning to be rude or anything, but I didn't realize I had to developed a reputation around here before I was allowed to ask questions. But you are right, I am a new member with only a few posts, but that is because I just started my first C++ class three weeks ago, before which I never had a reason to get onto a C++ forum. If there are certain guidelines for posting questions to homework (like mentioning it is a homework question in the first post) the I apologize because I didn't see them anywhere. I offered a couple lines of code to try and express what I want to do, but am pretty limited in knowledge because I have just begun. My instructor's advice to the class was to go out and join several forums and try to get help with our problems from other coders with experience, so we can get used to speaking to others about programming. I wasn't asking anyone to do my homework for me, just shed some light on a tiny part I was having a problem with. I would even take a reference to certain commands that I can go look up myself. All I need is a place to start. But if you feel uncomfortable still because of uncertainty concerning my intentions, then I respect that. I don't see how someone who can't do something as (apparently) simple as what I've asked could create anything remotely dangerous.

In any manner, I appreciate the responses. At the very least, could you give me some advice on how to be more trustworthy when asking questions on forums? I want to keep using this forum because you guys are pretty responsive (which I have found to be rare). I'd hate to think I am going to be scrutinized and forced to defend myself whenever I try to post a question for a problem in my code.

[MustBNuts]

kevin, you must realize, some of the posts that end up on the forum are, at best, questionable. We get a bit untrusting sometimes... it isn't personal, but we need to be careful...you'd be amazed at some of the requests that get posted!

Having said that, welcome to the forum and I really do hope you become a regular member/contributor! If you are having trouble with code, just explain where you are having difficulties, explain what code you've tried, and where you're getting stuck....

An example of how to do it:

http://forums.techguy.org/t208426/s.html

what NOT to do:

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread...light=homework

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread...light=homework

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread...light=homework

...and I could go on.....

MBN

[Shadow2531]

Yeh, you should definitely ID it as homework in your first post.

Besides that, I liked the way you asked.

You just wanted to know how to perform an operation.

You posted code to relay that you knew what you wanted to do, and actually knew how to do it with a static file name.

From that, I myself got the idea that in general, you wanted to know how to combine 2 strings and then pass it as a paramater for the system function.

We could have kept it vague and just said to search google for adding strings. However, I belived a general example was warranted, which is why one is posted.

Now if you would have posted code for a small app and said, "i can't figure it. Could you fix it?", then that would be ill.

Anyways, at the Hardforum, they have a sticky at the top of the programming forum.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=670457

I myself had a problem with a program a while back. I knew that I needed to use arrays to make my program work, but to get it right, I needed to be able to visualize the arrays, so I asked them to help me visualize the arrays etc. Once they did that, I got my program working and posted it. They then offered suggestions to make the program better.

Point being, I didn't ask for help on the program specifically, I asked on how to do something in general.

Usually a lame example is warranted to give you an idea and then once they see that you are getting the hang of it, they'll show you more.

Sometimes, they'll show you more than warranted only because they know that some instructors do things oddly and they just want you to get it right.

[kevin_af]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice! I'm sure I'll get jammed up again in the not so distant future, and so you'll hear from me again. But thank you for showing me how things are done around here!