File Handling in C++

By Satavisa Das

In C++,there is a concept of File Handling.File handling is used to store data permanently in a computer. Using file handling we can store our data in secondary memory (Hard disk).

How to achieve File Handling in C++

For achieving file handling we need to follow the following steps:-
 STEP 1-Naming a file
 STEP 2-Opening a file
 STEP 3-Writing data into the file
 STEP 4-Reading data from the file
 STEP 5-Closing a file.

Streams in C++ :-

We give input to the executing program and the execution program gives back the output. The sequence of bytes given as input to the executing program and the sequence of bytes that comes as output from the executing program are called stream. In other words, streams are nothing but the flow of data in a sequence.

The input and output operation between the executing program and the devices like keyboard and monitor are known as “console I/O operation”. The input and output operation between the executing program and files are known as “disk I/O operation”.

Classes for File stream operations :-

The I/O system of C++ contains a set of classes which define the file handling methods. These include ifstream, ofstream and fstream classes. These classes are derived from fstream and from the corresponding iostream class. These classes, designed to manage the disk files, are declared in fstream and therefore we must include this file in any program that uses files.
1. ios:-

• ios stands for input output stream.
• This class is the base class for other classes in this class hierarchy.
• This class contains the necessary facilities that are used by all the other derived classes for input and output operations.

2. istream:-

• istream stands for input stream.
• This class is derived from the class ‘ios’.
• This class handle input stream.
• The extraction operator(>>) is overloaded in this class to handle input streams from files to the program execution.
• This class declares input functions such as get(), getline() and read().
   

3. ostream:-

• ostream stands for output stream.
• This class is derived from the class ‘ios’.
• This class handle output stream.
• The insertion operator(<<) is overloaded in this class to handle output streams to files from the program execution.
• This class declares output functions such as put() and write().

4. streambuf:-

• This class contains a pointer which points to the buffer which is used to manage the input and output streams.

5. fstreambase:-

• This class provides operations common to the file streams. Serves as a base for fstream, ifstream and ofstream class. 
• This class contains open() and close() function.

6. ifstream:-

• This class provides input operations.
• It contains open() function with default input mode. 
• Inherits the functions get(), getline(), read(), seekg() and tellg() functions from the istream.

7. ofstream:-

• This class provides output operations.
• It contains open() function with default output mode. 
• Inherits the functions put(),  write(), seekp() and tellp() functions from the ostream.

8. fstream:-

• This class provides support for simultaneous input and output operations.
• Inherits all the functions from istream and ostream classes through iostream.

9. filebuf:-

• Its purpose is to set the file buffers to read and write.
• We can also use file buffer member function to determine the length of the file.
   

In C++, files are mainly dealt by using three classes fstream, ifstream, ofstream available in fstream headerfile. 
ofstream: Stream class to write on files 
ifstream: Stream class to read from files 
fstream: Stream class to both read and write from/to files. 

 

Now the first step to open the particular file for read or write operation. We can open file by 
1. passing file name in constructor at the time of object creation 
2. using the open method 

For e.g.  

Open File by using constructor 
ifstream (const char* filename, ios_base::openmode mode = ios_base::in); 
ifstream fin(filename, openmode) by default openmode = ios::in 
ifstream fin(“filename”);

Open File by using open method 
Calling of default constructor 
ifstream fin;
fin.open(filename, openmode) 
fin.open(“filename”); 
 

Modes :  

Member Constant	Stands For	Access
in *	input	File open for reading: the internal stream buffer supports input operations.
out	output	File open for writing: the internal stream buffer supports output operations.
binary	binary	Operations are performed in binary mode rather than text.
ate	at end	The output position starts at the end of the file.
app	append	All output operations happen at the end of the file, appending to its existing contents.
trunc	truncate	Any contents that existed in the file before it is open are discarded.

Default Open Modes :  

ifstream	ios::in
ofstream	ios::out
fstream	ios::in | ios::out