Why isn't this fstream command working?

Question

Here's the code.

#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
using namespace std;

int main(int argc, const char * argv[])
{
    ifstream myfile;
    myfile.open("numbers.txt");

    if (myfile.is_open()){
        cout <<" okay to proceed" << endl;
    } else {
        cout<< "error finding file" <<endl;
    }
}

The file is as named, exactly and in the same folder as the program.

What am I doing wrong? The is_open() check is failing >_<

Edit: Solved. Found the working directory under product - scheme - options

The file must be in the working directory of the program execution, not the program source file. — hmjd, Apr 03 '14 at 13:49
If you're using Visual Studio, it executes in the project source directory (by the `.vcproj`) by default, so it will look for the file there. — Angew is no longer proud of SO, Apr 03 '14 at 13:51
It's a simple text file with 10 numbers. I have permission to read it. @hmjd I'm not quite sure what you mean. (novice moment) how do i change the working directory or find out where it is in xcode? — Christopher Baldwin, Apr 03 '14 at 13:51
It works as intended. The file must be in the *working directory* of the executable. This is not necessarily the directory that the executable is in. — Bart van Nierop, Apr 03 '14 at 13:53
@ChristopherBaldwin you can check [this question](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/13225500/how-to-change-the-working-directory-to-the-location-of-the-program). — Bart van Nierop, Apr 03 '14 at 13:54

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 03 '14 at 13:55

2

Plenty of reasons: 1. No r permission (no access to read file) 2. "numbers.txt" is in some other directory, not one application was started ... Use full path in myfile.open("FULLPATH/numbers.txt"); just to be sure you are open correct file. Than check access rights (OS dependent)

answered Apr 03 '14 at 13:55

Sergey Prokhorov

135
3

Thanks! The full path is probably a better practice than forcing a working directory change. – Christopher Baldwin Apr 03 '14 at 13:56
Note it just to test. – Sergey Prokhorov Apr 03 '14 at 13:58
In common case, relative path is preferrable for UNIX-like. For WIN, full path always better – Sergey Prokhorov Apr 03 '14 at 13:59

Why isn't this fstream command working?

1 Answers1