File Handling in C++
File Handling concept in C++ language is used for store a data permanently in computer. Using file
handling we can store our data in Secondary memory (Hard disk).
Why use File Handling in C++
For permanet storage.
The transfer of input - data or output - data from one computer to another can be easily
done by using files.
For read and write from a file you need another standard C++ library called fstream, which defines three
new data types:
Datatype Description
ofstream This is used to create a file and write data on files
ifstream This is used to read data from files
fstream This is used to both read and write data from/to files
How to achieve File Handling
For achieving file handling in C++ we need follow following steps
Naming a file
Opening a file
Reading data from file
Writing data into file
Closing a file
Functions use in File Handling
Function Operation
open() To create a file
close() To close an existing file
get() Read a single character from a file
put() write a single character in file.
read() Read data from file
write() Write data into file.
Defining and Opening a File
The function open() can be used to open multiple files that use the same stream object.
Syntax
file-stream-class stream-object;
stream-object.open("filename");
Example
ofstream outfile; // create stream
outfile . open ("data1"); // connect stream to data1
Closing a File
A file must be close after completion of all operation related to file. For closing file we need close() function.
Syntax
outfile.close();
File Opening mode
Mode Meaning Purpose
ios :: out Write Open the file for write only.
ios :: in read Open the file for read only.
Open the file for appending data to
ios :: app Appending
end-of-file.
take us to the end of the file when it
ios :: ate Appending
is opened.
Both ios :: app and ios :: ate take us to the end of the file when it is opened. The difference between the two
parameters is that the ios :: app allows us to add data to the end of file only, while ios :: ate mode permits us
to add data or to modify the existing data any where in the file.
The mode can combine two or more parameters using the bitwise OR operator (symbol |)
Example
fstream file;
file.Open("data . txt", ios :: out | ios :: in);
File pointer
Each file have two associated pointers known as the file pointers. One of them is called the input pointer (or
get pointer) and the other is called the output pointer (or put pointer). The input pointer is used for reading
the contents of a given file location and the output pointer is used for writing to a given file location.
Function for manipulation
of file pointer
When we want to move file pointer to desired position then use these function for manage the file pointers.
Function Operation
seekg() moves get pointer (input) to a specified location.
seekp() moves put pointer (output) to a specified location.
tellg() gives the current position of the get pointer.
tellp() gives the current position of the put pointer.
fout . seekg(0, ios :: beg) go to start
fout . seekg(0, ios :: cur) stay at current position
fout . seekg(0, ios :: end) go to the end of file
fout . seekg(m, ios :: beg) move to m+1 byte in the file
fout . seekg(m, ios :: cur) go forward by m bytes from the current position
fout . seekg(-m, ios :: cur) go backward by m bytes from the current position
fout . seekg(-m, ios :: end) go backward by m bytes from the end
put() and get() function
The function put() write a single character to the associated stream. Similarly, the function get() reads a
single character from the associated stream.
read() and write() function
These function take two arguments. The first is the address of the variable V , and the second is the length
of that variable in bytes. The address of variable must be cast to type char * (i.e pointer to character type).
Example
file . read ((char *)&V , sizeof (V));
file . Write ((char *)&V , sizeof (V));
Read and Write data from/to File
File handling in C++
#include<iostream.h>
#include<conio.h>
#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>
#include<fstream.h>
class student
{
public:
int roll;
char name[15],f_name[20];
void put();
void get();
void switch_case();
}; student s;
void student::put()
{
clrscr();
fstream file;
cout<<"Enter roll no: ";
cin>>roll;
cout<<"Enter name: ";
gets(name);
cout<<"Enter father name: ";
gets(f_name);
file.open("stu.dat",ios::out|ios::app);
// file.seekp(0,ios::beg);
file.write((char *)this,sizeof(student));
file.close();
getch();
s.switch_case();
}
void student::get()
{
int temp;
clrscr();
cout<"Enter roll no: ";
cin>>temp;
fstream file;
file.open("stu.dat",ios::in);
file.seekg(0,ios::beg);
while(file.read((char *)this,sizeof(student)));
{
if(roll==temp)
{
cout<<"roll no. "<<roll<<endl;
cout<<"stu name: "<<name<<endl;
cout<<"father name: "<<f_name;
}
}
file.close();
getch();
s.switch_case();
}
void student::switch_case()
{
int i;
cout<<"Enter your choice (1-Read, 2-Write, 3-exit): ";
cin>>i;
switch(i)
{
case 1:
s.put();
break;
case 2:
s.get();
break;
case 3:
exit(0);
default:
cout<<"wrong choice ";
}
}
void main()
{
clrscr();
s.switch_case();
}
Download Code
Output
Enter your choice (1-Read, 2-Write, 3-exit): 1
Enter roll_no: 1
Enter name: Hitesh
Enter father name: Pandit
Enter your choice (1-Read, 2-Write, 3-exit): 2
Enter roll_no.: 1
roll no.: 1
stu name.: Hitesh
father name: Pandit
