Open and closing output file multiple times during a program.

[scarywoody]

Just trying to wrap my head around this. I have a large menu driven program and I need to keep a log of all activities.

The general layout:

Switch (x){
Case:
function x()
Case:
function y()
}

function x{
Case:
function z()
Case:
function a()
}.

It is basically a series of switch statements that make calls to functions with other switch statements. As it sits right now I am passing the reference value of my output file to my functions, so I can collect everything that goes on. The problem is the outfile only gets written to once I close the file. To guard against a program crash and losing all my data, I was wondering if I could keep opening and closing the SAME ouput file and writing data to it.

Basic question is can I keep opening, closing, and writing to the output file without overwriting my previous data? thanks

[shacktar]

Did you try calling yourFile.flush();?

http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/iostream/ostream/flush/

[scarywoody]

I have never heard of that function, but it looks like it will solve my problem. Thank you very much!

[scarywoody]

Have a follow up question. I have only used ofstream and ifstream. If I open my output file using fstream, does that mean I could have a function search through this file without opening it?

[ResidentBiscuit]

fstream can open a file in input or output modes, or both. But it sti gets opened. How would you be able to read/write without opening it?

[scarywoody]

I think I confused myself. I was thinking I needed to close/open my output file to search through it, but I guess as long as it's open it doesn't matter if it is input or ouput.

[scarywoody]

My goal is to be able to search through my logs while they are still open to recieve data.

I have only searched through files I have just opened and I thought that was the way it was always going to be done. thanks