Reading file.txt - needs help

hello there..
i am having a small problem..

i have two input files.. groups.txt and command.txt,..
groups.txt has 4 lines in it..

for example:


u 7 1 2 3 5 8 9 10
a 5 3 5 8 9 10
b 3 1 8 9
c 2 3 5

blue = name
red = size
the rest are the numbers seperated with space.

i want to do a command that

do what in command.txt

which is

aU~b*c

1. ~b = 2 3 5 8 10

2. aU~b = 1 3 5 8 9 10

3. aU~b * c = 1 8 9 10 ====> to write in output.txt

, so far i dont know what to do..

i need to know how to check each line in the groups.txt ,.. for each command from 1-3.

how to do that?

Right now I want a polymorphable file browser done completely in openGL -- but let's slow down a minute.

It sounds like you can already read both files and are wondering how to use the input for some purpose, right? Maybe...your post is a little unclear.

Can you read in the file and print each line to the screen?

let me explain it again..

i need to build a function that READS 2 FILES

1. groups.txt
2. expressions.txt

and the output in output.txt

1. groups.txt
contains 4 lines of 4 groups, Universal group, and a b and c.
each line in this files made of "the name of the group" "the size of the group" "then the numbers in the group"

Code:

u 7 1 2 3 5 8 9 10
a 5 3 5 8 9 10
b 3 1 8 9
c 2 3 5

2. expressions.txt
contains a command that i have to do with the above groups.

Code:

aU~b*c

* = symmetric difference
U = unite

for example to do the command from left to right:

first to do aU~b
then aU~b*c

Well, it looks like you have prepared a set of specifications, which is what you would give someone else if you wanted them to write a program for you.

Since that is not the case, you have made your own task somewhat easier anyway. Now you just have to do it! But slow down again...

Can you open one file and read it in C? If you cannot do any or some of the things asked for in your specification, start with what you believe is the most appropriate mystery and decide how to solve it.

That might include asking some questions on the forum, perhaps, but start with just one. Your program is obviously a serious of relatively simple steps.

i know how to start my friend..
if you can solve it be my guest,..

i just got stuck,.. i used to read lines from files.. when there's only 1 line and put them into array..

but with 4 lines.. i don't know how

Originally Posted by sanfor

i know how to start my friend..
if you can solve it be my guest,..

i just got stuck,.. i used to read lines from files.. when there's only 1 line and put them into array..

but with 4 lines.. i don't know how

Why do you believe it's different? (Hint: it isn't.) (Double hint: especially in this case, where line breaks are important, which means you're reading one line at a time anyway.)

Originally Posted by sanfor

i know how to start my friend..
if you can solve it be my guest,..

i just got stuck,.. i used to read lines from files.. when there's only 1 line and put them into array..

but with 4 lines.. i don't know how

Well, since each line in one of the files is a command, you probably want to read a single line at a time from that file (leave the file open, and you pick up where you left off automatically) and then work with that line.

i didn't get you..

Code:

void blah (char *groups,char *expressions,char *ouput)
{
FILE *IN1;
FILE *IN2;
FILE *OUT;

int size1,size2,size3,size4,i,j;
int *u,*a,*b,*c;

IN1=fopen(groups,"r");
IN2=fopen(expressions,"r");
OUT=fopen(output,"w");

fscanf(IN1,"%d",&size1); ///////////// i dont know here,.. i want to limit a size for each array which will contain 4 groups array u = universal, array a = a group , array b = group b,.. and c for array c.. (is it neccessary?)
u=(int*)malloc(sizeof(int)*size1); //

while (!feof(IN1))
{
fscanf(IN1,"%d",u[i]);
i++;
}


}

this is what i got so far,.. i dont know how todeal with 4 lined txt file..

What you've got leans toward unorganized mess. Indent your code!!!!

Anyway, here's an idea for you. Use a seperate function to read a single line from an open file. The advantages:

1) you don't have to repeat too much code.
2) you can use it with any open file.
3) it's probably the most "optimized" choice, in terms of system resources.

Here's an example that opens two files and alternates printing one line from each of them to show you what I mean:

Code:

#include <string.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int get_a_line (FILE *strIN, char *line) {
	int i=0;
	int ch;
	if (strIN==NULL) return -1;
	while ((ch=fgetc(strIN)) > 0) {
		if (ch=='\n') {   /* the end of the line */
			line[i]='\0';  /* important to add this */
			return i; }
		else line[i]=ch;
		i++;
	}
	line[i]='\0'; /* because the last line probably won't have a newline */
	return i;	/* "i" will still be zero if file is finished */
}


int main (int argc, char *argv[]) {
	int i;
	char string[256]; /* this needs to be an appropriate length */
	FILE *IN1=fopen(argv[1],"r"); 
	FILE *IN2=fopen(argv[2],"r"); /* if you don't provide two valid filenames there will be a problem */

	for (i=0;i<50;i++) {
		if (get_a_line(IN1,string)>0) printf("from %s: %s\n",argv[1],string);
		if (get_a_line(IN2,string)>0) printf("from %s: %s\n",argv[2],string);
	}
	return 0; /* C closes the files */
}

You use it like this, if the executable is called "example"
example firstnames.txt dictionary.txt
and it produces output like this:

Code:

from firstnames.txt: Susan
from dictionary.txt: abaser
from firstnames.txt: Clem
from dictionary.txt: abasers
from firstnames.txt: Atsumi
from dictionary.txt: abases
from firstnames.txt: April
from dictionary.txt: abash
from firstnames.txt: William
from dictionary.txt: abashed
from firstnames.txt: Moses
from dictionary.txt: abashes
from firstnames.txt: Arthur
from dictionary.txt: abashing
from firstnames.txt: Peter
from dictionary.txt: abasia

In your situation, you can then apply sscanf (not fscanf) to the string in order to extract your information.

Do you see how much simpler this will make everything? And without sacrificing any efficiency in the actual program.