Thread: Deleting contents of a folder

I need some help on how to delete all contents of a folder. I wanted to make a simple program that deletes everything in my startup folder but not the folder itself.

You can use the system() command in stdlib.h. It's use is normally discouraged because it isn;t portable, but if you're just making a program for personal use, simpler is better, I think. You pass system() a string, and the string is excuted as a shell command. So in windows, you can just do

Code:

system("cd c:\startup"); // Or wherever it is
system("del *.*");

or on a UNIX system you could use

Code:

system("rm *.*");

instead of 'del'. There is no method in standard c that will do this programmatically - you'll either need to get a system-specific API, or use shell commands like I do above.

Run strace on the rm command and see that happens. This will give a clue on how the system actually removes a file....ie unlink.

unlinkat(2) - Linux man page

There we go i got it now

Originally Posted by sean

You can use the system() command in stdlib.h. It's use is normally discouraged because it isn;t portable, but if you're just making a program for personal use, simpler is better, I think. You pass system() a string, and the string is excuted as a shell command. So in windows, you can just do

Code:

system("cd c:\startup"); // Or wherever it is
system("del *.*");

instead of 'del'. There is no method in standard c that will do this programmatically - you'll either need to get a system-specific API, or use shell commands like I do above.

suppose i've a notepad file in my desktop(windows OS).then what should i do in order to delete it.more specifically does ur first call to system() takes the path of the file to be deleted.i haven't used system() function ever.asking just in curiosity.