Thread: Why am I unable to open the files?

Code:

string training, test;
cout << "Enter training and then test path" << endl;
cin >> training;
cin >> test;

ifstream file(training.c_str());    // File for TRAINING
if(file.fail())
{
	cerr << "Input file 'training' problem!" << endl;
        cout << training << endl;
	return 1;
}

ifstream test_file(test.c_str()); // File for TESTING
if(test_file.fail())
{
	cerr << "Input file 'testing' problem!" << endl;
        cout << test<< endl;
	return 1;
}

As you did in the beginning

Why do you keep files on your desktop? Nah, disregard that.
It would depend on the location of the executable if you want to put relative path, or not at all if you want to put absolute path. i.e. "c:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Desktop\my_file.test" would be absolute path.
"my_file.test" would be relative path (if your application is run from the same directory as the file is, it will work just fine).

When using the debugger, did you set a breakpoint before opening the file, and looked up what was actually in the string? Depending on the debugger and/or IDE you may have hard time seeing what is in std::string object, but you can quite easily "see through" string.c_str(), which returns const char*.

About the desktop, well, I tend to keep only shortcuts on the desktop. I keep my projects at "E:\Projects" and every project in separate directory, of which some are grouped together. I just dislike having actual files and directories shown on my desktop, but it is just a preference.
If you like your files flying around the desktop, then do as you please.

Is this the code we're talking about? Why am I unable to open the files?
I'd ask you if you are sure the file is named "XOR"? Maybe "XOR.txt" or "XOR.csv"? No extension at all?

Maybe try this code to see where the application "thinks" it is.

Code:

#include <cstdlib>

int main() {
    system("cd"); // if you are on windows
//    system("pwd"); // if you are on linux, or have pwd on windows ;)

    return 0;
}

Is it the correct directory?

You probably should turn the "Hide extensions for known file types" option off in your Explorer. I thinks it's the first thing I ever do on a Windows machine. (Tools->Folder Options->View [Advanced settings]).

Otherwise, I'm glad I could help.