Execute CMD commands using C++

Question

In my project I want to execute some CMD commands. What is the syntax for doing that using C++.

Solution 1

You can execute Windows Command prompt commands using a C++ function called system();. For safer standards you are recommended to use Windows specific API'S like ShellExecute or ShellExecuteEx. Here is how to run CMD command using system() function.

You should place the CMD command like shown below in the program source code:

system("CMD_COMMAND");

Here is a program which executes the DATE command in CMD to find the date:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    system("DATE");
    return 0;
}

Solution 2

Use Windows specific APIs:

• ShellExecute or ShellExecuteEx
• CreateProcess

See this also.

Solution 3

I suppose you could always do:

#include <iostream>
#include <windows.h>

using namespace

int main()
{
    WinExec("cmd", 1);
    return 0;
}

This however, automatically sets the path to the folder your file is in. Just type cd\ to return to base file.