Running an External Program

Question:
How do you get C++ to run an outside program? How do you type this in the source code?

Answer:
You can invoke another executable from your programming by calling the system() function (defined in ). System() takes a const char * that is the name of an .exe or .bat file and passes it to the shell command, which in turn, invokes that program.

For example, if you have an executable called “calculator.exe” and you want to run this program from your application:

#include int main(){  system("calculator.exe");}

Many platforms have other functions that launch a program, e.g., execvp(). However, system() is portable because it’s defined by the ANSI C and C++ standards.

Charlie Frank

Charlie has over a decade of experience in website administration and technology management. As the site admin, he oversees all technical aspects of running a high-traffic online platform, ensuring optimal performance, security, and user experience.