Thread: getline with File

  1. #1
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    getline with File

    I cant understand why the following code wont work. When it gets to the getline stage, it doesn't wait for the prompt.

    I'm running it in Microsoft visual c++ Express and the .h file includes iostream and fstream

    Code:
    #include "file.h"
    using namespace std;
    int main()
    {
    	string file_location;
    	string file_text;
    	cout << "Where would you like to store your file" ;
    	cin >> file_location;
    	cout << endl;
    	cout << "What would you like to write in your file";
    	getline(cin, file_text);
    	ofstream fout(file_location);
    	fout << file_text;
    	fout.close();	
    }
    However, if i change the order around - I.E i move the getline and cin around as the code below demonstrates - it all checks out ok and works.

    Code:
    	string file_location;
    	string file_text;
    	cout << "What would you like to write in your file";
    	getline(cin, file_text);
    	cout << endl;
    	cout << "Where would you like to store your file" ;
    	cin >> file_location;
    	ofstream fout(file_location);
    	fout << file_text;
    	fout.close();

  2. #2
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
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    cin >> will extract everything up to the first space. The rest gets left behind in the input buffer.
    After that, getline will come and read it all.
    Suggested solution: Use only getline.

    And don't forget to include iostream and string.
    Oh, and you don't need to call close on the streams.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  3. #3
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    The >> operator leaves white space AND newlines on the input stream.
    So when the getline comes along (with it's newline only delimiter), it is immediately satisfied by the newline left behind.

    This comes up regularly, search for cin.ignore()
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  4. #4
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    It is not recommended to use cin >> for anything that has to do with paths (any space would screw up the input).
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  5. #5
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    Thanks Elysia and Salem.

    What would be best used for a path?

  6. #6
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
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    getline!
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

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