Accessing files from a C program.

**Sea (C) Maniac** · 12-20-2007

Hello all,

I'm new to the forums and have very little programming knowledge. I've read some of the tutorials on this website for C programming. They certainly aid in my attempt to make a program. The only thing I can't figure out is how to make the C program open up and run a separate file.

What I'm trying to do is execute a batch file using my C program. I'm certain it's not simple to do however I'm still trying to do it. Does anyone know a method I can use to call up and execute the batch file from my C program?

For general info I am using the free DJGPP compiler from Deloire. All programs compiled through it (at least by me) are executed in MS-DOS.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

**dwks** · 12-20-2007

The simplest way? Just use system().

Code:

#include <stdlib.h>
system("something.exe");

Whatever you pass to system() is executed just as if you'd typed it on the command line. Oh, and be sure to include stdlib.h if you want to use system().

For more information, see this FAQ. http://faq.cprogramming.com/cgi-bin/...&id=1043284392

[edit] Any particular reason you're using DJGPP? It's pretty good, but in my opinion Dev-C++ is better, and Code::Blocks better yet (if you have a good enough computer). [/edit]

**Elysia** · 12-20-2007

I seriously doubt you are executing in MS-DOS. What you're probably doing is running console apps within your OS, be that Windows or Linux or whatever.

[edit] Any particular reason you're using DJGPP? It's pretty good, but in my opinion Dev-C++ is better, and Code::Blocks better yet (if you have a good enough computer). [/edit]

Or better yet, Visual Studio

**dwks** · 12-20-2007

You might actually be wrong, Elysia. DJGPP, unlike most Windows compilers/IDEs such as MSVC and Dev-C++, actually generates pure DOS applications. They're a bit larger, but with the right TSRs, you can run them in pure DOS. Under a 32-bit DOS, of course. For 16-bit DOS, better go with Turbo C.

However, if the OP's executing DJGPP in a console window, I guess that's not strictly DOS.

Close enough -- it's what passes for DOS these days.

**Elysia** · 12-20-2007

A ... dos compiler? Funny.
And MS-DOS these days? Even more humorous!
Really? The thing is ancient and full of all kinds of crap. No one would seriously use that crap anymore.

**dwks** · 12-20-2007

DJGPP is actually not bad. It was my favourite compiler for a while there. Only when I was programming in mode 13h, but still.

For a DOS compiler, it's luxury -- copy/paste, mouse support, variable screen sizes, syntax highlighting. It's based on a port of gcc, so you have gcc, gxx (a.k.a. g++), make, and some utilities like mv and cp and rm. It's really quite nice. It runs pretty well on a ~60MHz laptop with 48MB of RAM.

Turbo C is the pits by comparison. But it fits on a 720KB floppy disk and runs on a ~4MHz laptop with DOS 3.21.

I think I may need to get some faster computers . . . Just kidding!

**robwhit** · 12-20-2007

DJGPP lets you program 32-bit application in a 16-bit OS. It lets you access more memory, etc etc, with the advantages of 32-bit programs. DJGPP is not crap. It just compiles for DOS, which is what it was made for.

**Sea (C) Maniac** · 12-21-2007

I'll use that script you mentioned dwks. DJGPP works fine for me, and since it's free it's even better. If anybody out here can recommend another compiler that would allow me to compile my C programs that run separate from MS-DOS and allows you to make your own program icon for it that would be great. Remember, free is great!

EDIT: The script works, thanks dwks!

**Elysia** · 12-21-2007

Visual Studio 2008 for one.

**ssharish2005** · 12-21-2007

Dev-C++, Code::Blocks (Credit to Salem)

ssharish

**dwks** · 12-21-2007

http://www.cprogramming.com/compilers.html

**Sea (C) Maniac** · 12-21-2007

Thanks Guys,

I got the Dev C++ Compiler. And yes, it supports C.

**brewbuck** · 12-21-2007

Originally Posted by Elysia

A ... dos compiler? Funny.
And MS-DOS these days? Even more humorous!
Really? The thing is ancient and full of all kinds of crap. No one would seriously use that crap anymore.

People use it everywhere. One of the most common places you see real DOS is on point-of-sale terminals. See that screen that looks like DOS? That's because it is

There are many places on the planet where modern computer equipment is difficult or impossible to obtain, but there is a decent supply of older machines. DOS or Linux is the only realistic option for such old hardware.

DOS isn't dead by a long shot.

**Elysia** · 12-21-2007

In these modern countries, it kind of is... for PCs anyway. Not that it matters anyway....

Thread: Accessing files from a C program.

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Accessing files from a C program.

Similar Threads

Accessing .dat files within a folder

FAQ- Accessing Directories and Files Within (need further info)

compiling a program that is splitted in several files with gcc

fopen();

My program, anyhelp