How to return the output string using system("ls *")

[heartsunny2000]

Hi,

I am using system("ls *") to list all the files under c++. This function only returns an integer, and I am wondering whether there is a simliar function which can return the output string. Thanks.

[Zhuge]

What system() does is basically act as though you had typed in that command into the command prompt. It displayed everything just like it would if you had done so. I suppose you could use piping to get the results to a file and read it, but I personally think it would be better just to use your OS's API or another abstraction layer (like boost) to get at the directory information.

[heartsunny2000]

Thanks! I am a linux beginner, and could you show me the script for this?

[Duthomhas]

http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/unices/12452/
The example on that link gets a recursive directory listing. You can fix that if you like...

Here is a similar, non-recursive example. It sorts the results, but that can be easily changed, too...
http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/unices/3548/#msg15009

Good luck!