Thread: Delete a file that's in use

  1. #1
    Registered User Queatrix's Avatar
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    Question Delete a file that's in use

    I know it can be done, somehow you have to close any handle that has that file open in other programs. The problem is HOW?

  2. #2
    For Narnia! Sentral's Avatar
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    Is this for console prog or Windows prog? o_O

  3. #3
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    You cannot force other programs to close a handle to a file. You can just try to kill them - and the user will probably kill YOU if you do that.

    Of course, not all OSs prevent deletion of a file that is open. Linux (and most other *nixes, I think) let you allow any file at any time, provided you have the permissions. Unless you explicitly use a locking mechanism to lock the file.

    So this thread should be moved to the Windows board.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
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    try to unlink() it. It should work.

  5. #5
    Frequently Quite Prolix dwks's Avatar
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    DEV-C++ on WIN2000
    Windows doesn't allow you to delete a file that's already open. Try this:
    Code:
    #include <iostream>
    #include <cstdio>
    
    int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
        if(std::remove(argv[0])) {
            std::cout << "Error deleting self" << std::endl;
        }
    
        return 0;
    }
    On Windows, you can't delete a file that's already open/running.
    dwk

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