usage of system function in cpp program

Question

Please explain the syntax of: system(const char *command);

I want to use this function for running the command on unix sytem. I need to execute(automate) several test cases with the same command but,they also have other input values which are different.how do I reuse this code for all the test-cases.

Answer 1

I don't see how the syntax can be a problem:

system( "foo" );

executes the program called foo, via your preferred shell.

Answer 2

Generate a command line for each invokation, then pass those command lines into system() one a time.

Answer 3

int main()
{
    char *base = "./your_testcase " ;
    char aux[50] = "./your_testcase " ;
    char *args[] = {"arg1" ,"arg2" ,"arg3"};
    int nargs = 3;

    for(i=0;i < nargs;i++)
    {
     /* Add arg to the end of the command */
     strcat(aux,args[i]) ;
     /* Call command with parameter */
     system(aux);
     /* Reset aux to just the system call with no parameters */
     strcpy(aux,base);
    }
}

Answer 4

i think Anter is interested in a example:

for instance to remove a file in a directory:

system("/bin/rm -rf /home/ederek/file.txt");

Answer 5

Keep in mind that calling system is the same as calling fork and execl. That mean you need to be aware of things like open socket descriptors and file descriptors. I once had a problem with a TCP/IP socket dying on a server because a client was calling system which created a new socket connection to the server that was not being serviced.

Answer 6

See also the question: 'How to call an external program with parameters?;

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/486087/how-to-call-an-external-program-with-parameters/486409#486409

Answer 7

I would avoid use of the system() function, here is a link to why this might be a bad idea