C++ Primer Plus

Writing to a Text File

For file output, C++ uses analogs to cout. So to prepare for file output, let’s review some basic facts about using cout for console output:

• You must include the iostream header file.

• The iostream header file defines an ostream class for handling output.

• The iostream header file declares an ostream variable, or object, called cout.

• You must account for the std namespace; for example, you can use the using directive or the std:: prefix for elements such as cout and endl.

• You can use cout with the << operator to read a variety of data types.

File output parallels this very closely:

• You must include the fstream header file.

• The fstream header file defines an ofstream class for handling output.

• You need to declare ...