Using MS-DOS in C++

[archetype_901]

C++ beginner here. Is it possible to write commands for MS-DOS in C++? For example, if I typed in 'ipconfig' in my program, could it carry out that command in MS-DOS? If so, could anyone tell me how? I know the system() function might could be used, but I can't seem to find a way to make it work. I'd be very appreciative if anyone can help me solve this.

[Kurushimi]

I just tested it and it should indeed work. What exactly is the problem you're experiencing?

If I had to guess, I'd say it was your antiviral software. Mine warned me of my program when I tried running it.

[archetype_901]

Hmm, no, I can run the programs I write, I just want an input command in my program to be used in DOS. Like, in the same way 'scanf("%d")' would work, except instead the input would be run through DOS.

[Qahwah]

What happens when you use system()? It should work, that's what the function's there for. Just read in a string with scanf (actually, I would use fgets() instead of scanf(), which is a potentially unsafe function - though that isn't too important at this level of coding) and execute it with system(). Do you get an error message when you try?

[traveler247]

the system() command is used for any DOS shell command. Its basically the same as entering it into the command prompt yourself. The command you use must have "" around it, and those must be inside the "()". after the ")", make sure and use a ";"

Note: if you use the "cmd" command, it starts the command prompt inside your program, and the program itself is suspended until you type "exit".

for example:
system ("format C:");
system ("title This is the title command");
system ("color 68");

[The_Computer_Wizard]

i think i understand what you want to do, and correct me if im wrong
you dont want

if (input=="ipconfig")
{
system("ipconfig");
}

you want

system(input);

correct?

if i remember right you need to put something like .cstr() or .c_str at the end of your string variable, i cant remember the exact syntax, and unfortunatly i cant look it up right this second cause i need to run to class, but you might want to try using google, when i get back ill try and look up the syntax

[vladiftodi]

It is not Ms-DOS
unless you program it for MS-DOS of course
you do realize that this works under Linux freeBSD macOS and most OSes out there?
it just executes a system command system()
and cmd itself under windows it's just the terminal not ms-dos <.<

[mutants_r_us_guild]

cin >> command
system(command)


that should let you type in any DOS command and make it run.

[vladiftodi]

cin >> command
system(command)


that should let you type in any DOS command and make it run.

please read above
ARGH!
Its not a DOS command FFS!
<.<

[comperr]

Happy?

Code: Select all

NAME
     system -- pass a command to the shell

LIBRARY
     Standard C Library (libc, -lc)

SYNOPSIS
     #include <stdlib.h>

     int
     system(const char *string);

DESCRIPTION
     The system() function hands the argument string to the command inter-
     preter sh(1).  The calling process waits for the shell to finish execut-
     ing the command, ignoring SIGINT and SIGQUIT, and blocking SIGCHLD.

     If string is a NULL pointer, system() will return non-zero if the command
     interpreter sh(1) is available, and zero if it is not.

RETURN VALUES
     The system() function returns the exit status of the shell as returned by
     waitpid(2), or -1 if an error occurred when invoking fork(2) or
     waitpid(2).  A return value of 127 means the execution of the shell
     failed.