Rewriting an opened file.

I'm trying to append a CRC to a file. However, there is one problem (as always ). The file is already open so I can't write to it.

Let me explain what i'm trying:
I'm opening the same file as executed and read it's contents into a buffer. Then I calculate the CRC over this buffer and append it to the end. The next thing I want to do is rewrite the file with the CRC information at the end. (Yes it will still execute, i've tested it by writing the buffer to a new file with another name)

Is there a way to make the OS (w2k in this case) think the file isn't opened to be able to rewrite it?

What do you mean with rewrite the file? When opening a file in "r+" mode, you have access to the file for both reading and writing.

That's correct, but I want to open the same file as executed and that I can't do with "r+" or "r+b".

Code:

if ((pIn = fopen(argv[0], "r+b")) != NULL)
{
   - read content into buffer
   - calculate and add CRC to buffer
   - write buffer back to argv[0] 
}

Well, maybe it's just not possible. I was assuming that the code would be executed in RAM and it would be possible for me to make changes to the file.

Ah, I see, an executable. I don't think the OS willl allow you to open such a file while it is running. At least not for updating.

you could try

Code:

if ((pIn = fopen(argv[0], "rb")) != NULL)
{
   - read content into buffer
     fclose(pIn);
   - calculate and add CRC to buffer
    if ((pIn = fopen(argv[0], "wb")) != NULL) 
   - write buffer back to argv[0] 
}

/*or*/
if ((pIn = fopen(argv[0], "r+b")) != NULL)
{
   - read content into buffer
     rewind(pIn);
   - calculate and add CRC to buffer
   - write buffer back to argv[0] 
}

hehe, the fun things you will find in the MSDN. I had a similar problem a few days ago, so I gave it a quick search. Here's what I found:

freopen()

Yep, handy little thing, file reopen.

FILE* freopen(path, mode, FILE*)

nnfpw = freopen("config/notnames.txt", "w", nnfp);

nnfpw is the new file pointer, then you have the path, the open mode, and the old file pointer. Now, the old file pointer (say it was open in "r") will still be in read mode. So, you could read with nnfp and write with nnfpw (I think haven't tested that). Just keep in mind though, whenever opening anything in "W" mode, you will destroy whatever is currently there.