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++.

Answer 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;
}

Answer 2

Use Windows specific APIs:

• ShellExecute or ShellExecuteEx
• CreateProcess

See this also.

Answer 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.