Thread: am I declaring my strings wrong?

I normally have no problems using strings in this manner, but this is the first time to use the .c_str() function to use a variable and two strings to create a file path for calling a file, and its giving me operational errors.

char fileName [12];
char path [12] = "C:\\";

cout << "Please Enter the date to search for: \n"
<< "(NOTE: MUST BE IN MONTH DAY YEAR FORMAT";
cin >> fileName;
path += fileName;
ifstream fin;
fin.open (path.c_str(), ios::in | ios::nocreate);

error C2297: '+=' : illegal, right operand has type 'char [12]'
c:\hehp\viewer\viewer.cpp(98) :

error C2228: left of '.c_str' must have class/struct/union type

I am not overly familiar with string classes but I am reading that now, trying to understand how .c_str() function is being used with the strings I've created and why it is not happy with my code...

>path += fileName;

you cannot use the += operator on arrays like that. it will not conatenate the strings for you.

[edit] yes, use strings like prelude suggested

Salem,

these are the header files I am using, and have been from the start:
# include <fstream.h>
# include <stdlib.h>
# include <string.h>

I am assuming # include <string> was the your referrence to
# include <string.h>?

string full_path = "C:\\";

returns mutiple errors about undeclared identifiers, and I am not understanding what your referring to about the using namespace std;

I am guessing that string is declared from a header file and I am saying the string class "string" has the string "full_path" and then telling what "full_path" is equal to. So am I not using the write header files or am I just way off on what I gathering from everyones response? Its probably my lacking back ground in the use of string classes, but I using the code examples are returning more errors than before....

I've no idea what the old name for <string> is.

Its <string>

The old <string.h> has functions for manipulating char* c style strings. This header is available in c++ as <cstring> where the same functions that are in <string.h> are but the caveat is that they are all included inside of namespace std.

The header <string> is for STL string template class. You will not find functions in this header for manipulating char* strings but instead find a few template classes and functions for manipulating c++ string objects.

So what your saying is the type of compiler I am using does not use the type of header files your suggesting, thats why I am getting the error response from the compiler, using sample code suggestions?

namespace std; is part of the <string> header file for what compiler or what OS are do you normally use?

I am using MSVisual 6.0, I also use Linux 6.0 but have Linux 8.0 at home, have not installed yet. I was not aware at such an early stage of my learning I was already outdated!

Stoned_Coder is correct, I reviewed the <string.h> header file and could not find anything about namespace std; However, I could not find the <cstring> header file at all.

Is there a compiler anyone recommends? That is similar to ms visual, vi files can be frustrating on command line!

Thanks for the help everyone, I've learned alot about my bad coding practices!!LOL!

ok, I am understanding now, I found that header file, thanks for the heads up CodePlug, Salem, I will try your code and thanks for the visual , I think I understand now, You guys have been a huge help thanks alot!

GOT IT, ITS WORKING, MY CODE IS WORKING!!! VERY EXCITING, AND I LEARNED MUCHO LESSONS IN THE PROCESS! THANKS SALEM - CODEPLUG - STONED CODER!