Noob question, command prompt

I'm fairly new to C and I've run into a problem that I can't seem to figure out. When I try to run a program, the command prompt window will flash really fast and close. How do I get the .exe to stay open?

I use Dev-C/C++,
Windows Service pack 2
2.8 ghz
516 ram

And it's not with just one program either, every source I try the command prompt window just flashes really fast.


Some sources I use:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

   main()
   {
     printf("hello, world\n");
   }

and

Code:

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

#define TAX_RATE  0.05

main()
{
      float balance; 
      float tax;
      float total;
      balance = 100;
      tax = TAX_RATE * balance;
      total = tax + balance;
      printf("If you spend $%.1f, the tax will be $%.1f ... The total is $%.2f.", balance, tax, total); 
      }

FAQ > How do I... (Level 1) > Stop my Windows Console from disappearing everytime I run my program?

This problem can be easily resolved if you use a function named getch(), which would force compiler to stop and you can view you output, but don't forget to put conio.h file in the header section and also conio.h is not valid in UNIX OS. The Code would be

Code:

//Header Files
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
int main()
{
printf("Hello World");
getch();//Inbuilt Function Used
}

I'm primarily a unix guy, but I believe conio.h is a borland extension ... so it's not valid in more than just unix: it's not standard C at all

You can use getchar() instead, which is in the FAQ

the latest version of dev has conio.h, as do microsoft visual series
of compilers, however that is not my issue - its not a good idea
to recommend the use of a non-standard header, especially to
implement a single function, and even moreso when the same
effect can be achieved using functions in a header already in
use!!! also just so you know, main has a return type,

Code:

/*this will compile but that doesn't make it right!*/

main ()
{
/*Program goes here*/
}

sholud be changed to

Code:

/*this is better, its the international standard way, so it compiles on any ANSI/ISO compliant compiler*/

int main ()
{
/*Program goes here*/
return 0;
}

just spreading the knowledge!!!

You can use getchar() instead, which is in the FAQ

http://faq.cprogramming.com/cgi-bin/...&id=1043284385

Code:

while ((ch = getchar()) != '\n' && ch != EOF);

It's better to use that than just

Code:

getchar();

in case there's something in stdin.

if your on windows you can also do a system("PAUSE");

Originally Posted by Narcose

if your on windows you can also do a system("PAUSE");

Except, we don't make unnessasary calls to the system, do we?

if your on windows you can also do a system("PAUSE");

We don't want to make unnessesary, non-portable system calls, either. See my FAQ link.