How to parse a folder path with spaces in C code

Question

Hello,

I'm using this simple C code:

char * command = NULL;
sprintf (command, "ls %s", folderpath);
system(command);

The problem is when the folder name has a space in it... I know that in Unix I need to add a "\", for example ls my\ folder\ name

How can I get around this ? Thank you!

Answer 1

Use fork() and exec*() instead.

Answer 2

Simple way out is to put the folder name inside single quotes - sprintf( command, "ls '%s'", folder );. Watch out for command injection as @ndim reminds us.

Answer 3

If you do this:

char * command = NULL;
sprintf (command, "ls %s", folderpath);

you are in undefined behaviour land. You need to allocate some memory to command:

char command[1000];    // for example
sprintf (command, "ls %s", folderpath);

Answer 4

If your specific problem is really to get a list of filenames in a folder, you'd be better off using the system calls opendir/readdir/closedir instead. See their manual pages for details.