another noob program

when i compile this, i get many errors, and i dont know what any of them mean

any help?, im just doing this program for experience

NVM, it works now ----

Code:

// file opener, supposed to ask you if you want to 
//append or clear  and start over

#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
#include <string>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
	int toggle;
	string editORnew,thewordnew;
	string filename;
	thewordnew = "new";
	cout << "whats the file? include extenstion \n";
	cin >> filename;
	cin.ignore();
	ofstream a_file (filename.c_str(), ios::app);
	if(!a_file.is_open())
	{
		cout << "File couldnt be opened";
	}
	else
	{
		cout << "file opened \nedit or new?";
	    cin >> editORnew;
		if(editORnew == thewordnew)
		{
			a_file.close();
			ofstream b_file (filename.c_str());
			toggle = 1;
							if(toggle ==1)
							{		
								if(!b_file.is_open())
								{
								cout << "\nFile unopenable";
								}
							}
		}
			else
			{
			cout << "\n ok, editing file.";
			}
		
				
			
	}

	if(toggle != 0)
	{
		cout << "\n ok, starting file over.";
	}
return 0;
}

U need to include <string>.....check the if conditions, brackets are misplaced....and many other things

You use strings without “ #include <string> “.

You can not use a string to open a file. I will not go into details why, look it up.
You can use char arrays or you can convert it to a cstring (char array) very easily with.

Code:

	ofstream a_file (filename.c_str(), ios::app); //open file - o is for open

You also need to add the .c_str() to your other ostream.

Main needs to return something, preferably 0 for success.
Put “ return 0; “ before your last } (the end of the main function)

That is what is wrong technically with your program.

got it to compile

Might want to start out with a more simplistic example if you're trying to learn this stuff.

I would say generally it is not best to go back and edit your original post and fix the problems once someone has helped you figure them out. This board has a good search feature and it is for helping people; and learning from other peoples mistakes is great help.

Just my opinion…I dunno what the “official” policy is though….

k, i wont do it again