a.out

How do I run a .out file in linux? I compiled with gcc.

./a.out

Alternatively, if you don't want it to compile to a.out you can use the -o option. Like gcc mytest.c -o test will create an executable named test (which you run of course with ./test)

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Originally Posted by C_ntua

Alternatively, if you don't want it to compile to a.out you can use the -o option. Like gcc mytest.c -o test will create an executable named test (which you run of course with ./test)

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Although "test" is a very bad name for a program in unix, as there is a standard command that is called test - often a builtin of the command shell.

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Mats

haha I remember wasting loads of time when I tried running a program named test on linux for the first time. But it's one of those things you have to go through to learn that you always use ./ when running executables in the current directory

Thanks. Why is it ./a.out instead of just a.out?

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Originally Posted by Nextstopearth

Thanks. Why is it ./a.out instead of just a.out?

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It's already been hinted at in the post just above yours.

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Originally Posted by KIBO

But it's one of those things you have to go through to learn that you always use ./ when running executables in the current directory

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Just writing "program" will try to find the program in all of the directories specified in your path environment variable, which does not contain your current working directory in most cases. This is why you need to use "./" - . means the current directory.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IceDane

Just writing "program" will try to find the program in all of the directories specified in your path environment variable, which does not contain your current working directory in most cases. This is why you need to use "./" - . means the current directory.

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LOL! I thought ./ meant something like "run". Like run a.out. All this time, I was misguided. I see the light now...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IceDane

Just writing "program" will try to find the program in all of the directories specified in your path environment variable, which does not contain your current working directory in most cases. This is why you need to use "./" - . means the current directory.

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I see, that makes sense. Thanks.

It's like that so you can run regular commands without programs in the present working directory masking them.