usage of system() function

[snehil]

Can I use this code to open Internet explorer if i compile the program file and use the .exe file of the program if yes then pls also tell me the header file..

system("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE");

I was trying to make this code but it is not working as I want it to work.. The compiled file displays "Bad command or file name"

#include<stdlib.h>
void main(void)
{
for(;;)
{
system("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE");

}
}

[donbock]

Review the documentation for system. (These are general code hygiene suggestions; they probably won't lead to a solution to your problem.)

• It has a return value that you should be checking.
• Consider whether its behavior when passed NULL would be helpful to you.

What happens when you execute your system command string in a Command Prompt window?

C:\Documents and Settings\snehil>  C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE

[Markus]

It's also possible you'll have to escape your backslashes in the command (you have to do this in other languages I know).

Mark.

[Banfa]

It is more than possible, it is necessary. As with many other C like languages in C the character '\' has a special meaning inside a string, it is the escape sequence. Depending on what follows it made have a special meanins, i.e. '\n' is the newline character, '\0' is the zero character (the terminator). If it has no special meaning then it take is ignored '\q' is the character 'q'.

If you want a \ character then you need the sequence '\\'.

[snehil]

ok.. now the code is

#include<stdlib.h>
void main(void)
{
for(;;)
{
system("C:\\Program Files\\Internet Explorer\\IEXPLORE.EXE");

}
}

but still the same problem:

and at donbock.. when I execute the command in command prompt
this is the output..



i dont have much knowledge of advanced programing as I am still a beginer...
I saw this code on net and I am just keen to know if it works or not...
from where I saw tyhis code header file was not there so pls also tell if this header file is correct...
bcoz maybe system function is also in process.h m not sure though...

[newb16]

There's a thread about 'execute php' at 12 jul. Error message "C:\program is not recognized" gives you a hint - the space is interpreted as a separator, enclose the full file name in quotes. - system("\"C:\\P r...

[george666]

system() is prohibited (and dirty) on Windows (see MSDN)
use Shell apis.

[Banfa]

Also not true.

For Visual C++ 2008, the latest version there are the following pages on the system function

Implemetation Defined Behaviour

system, _wsystem - the actual help on the function

In neither of those 2 places does it say that system is prohibited. Further more Visual C++ 2008 is an ANSI C compliant compiler and to be such it has to fully implement the Standard C Library that includes the system() function.


If you want to make statements like that you need to back them with hard evidence such as a link or quote.

[snehil]

but i still havnt found wat I ws looking for....

[lumpybanana247]

yeah, you can launch internet explorer.
your code was about right...


1st. main is supposed to be an int (not void) and should return a number (such as 0).
2nd. a "\" in a string must be written as "\\"
3rd. in many systems (well, mine) you must make the directory into "Shortfilen ame" because it does not contain spaces.
ex. C:\\PROGRA~1\\I NTERN~1\\IEXPLO RE.EXE
but yes, your code holds the right idea

PS. your header worked fine for me.

[snehil]

thanx.. it worked like a charm.. :)
ok 1 more query...
in this code... IE again opens when i close one window of IE...
is there a code to forcefully open multiple instances of IE window at a same time in an infinite loop... ?

[lumpybanana247]

yes, but it will run so fast that it will make your computer flip in a second. so do not run it without saving all data first. i repeat that: DO NOT RUN IT WITHOUT SAVING ALL DATA
but instead of the system function, i would recommend ShellExecute. it requires <windows.h>
here is an example
ShellExecute( NULL, "open", "C:\\Progra~1\\ Intern~1\\IEXPL ORE.EXE","","C: \\", SW_SHOW);
This is much more versatile.
-you do not need to use ShortFileName. Program Files\Internet Explorer works perfectly fine.
-arguments for the program-to-be-run are accepted in the argument i left blank.
-also, you can do SW_SHOW: window is shown; SW_HIDE: window is hidden; etc