How to make an output file / text alignment

[skhjr]

Can someone tell me how to output data to a output text file? I know I am missing the outfile << whatever << statement but I cannot figure out how to get outfile to print everything in the function print to the output text file.

I am also having problems aligning the test scores and grades in a column. can someone tell me how to correct this issue?

thanks!

[Thomas1965]

First of all you should open the file only when you need it and also check that it is open. There is no need to declare the file variable global.

A simple example:

void SaveStudentData()
{
   ofstream dest("output.txt");
   if (!dest)
   {
      cerr << "\aError opening output file.";
      return;  // Maybe terminate program?
   }
   // Check that there are 20 students in the array
   for (int i=0; i < 20; i++)
  {
     outFile << Student[i].studentLName << '\t' << Student[i].studentFName << '\t' <<
     Student[i].testScore << '\t' << Student[i].grade << '\n';
  }
}

[skhjr]

@thomas1965 thanks for the help. I had it like that, but my professor wanted us to make the file variables global.

[Thomas1965]

but my professor wanted us to make the file variables global.

That's not a problem. Just use the global file variable.

void SaveStudentData()
{
   if (!outFile)
   {
      cerr << "\aError - output file not open.";
      return;  // Maybe terminate program?
   }
   // Check that there are 20 students in the array
   for (int i=0; i < 20; i++)
  {
     outFile << Student[i].studentLName << '\t' << Student[i].studentFName << '\t' <<
     Student[i].testScore << '\t' << Student[i].grade << '\n';
  }
}