C Programming For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 23

File Management

IN THIS CHAPTER

Reading files from a directory

Checking file types

Working with the directory hierarchy

Changing filenames

Duplicating files

Removing a file

The C library features many functions that interface directly with the operating system, allowing you to peek, poke, and prod into the very essence of files themselves. You never know when you need to plow through a directory, rename a file, or delete a temporary file that the program created. It’s powerful stuff, but such file management is well within the capabilities of your C programs.

Directory Madness

A directory is nothing more than a database of files stored on a device’s mass storage system. Also called a folder, a directory contains a list of files plus any subdirectories. Just as you can manipulate a file, a directory can be opened, read, and then closed. And, as with the directory listing ...