Simple C++ question

[annex666]

I'm not sure this belongs here (if on the site at all), but I have a programming question.

Is there a standard c++ function to read tab-seperated files?

Cheers for looking

[tiroth]

Haha. No, but it shouldn't be too hard unless you have outlandish requirements for the data structure you are building from the text. For string manipulation it is probably easiest to use Perl--you can probably read an entire file in and split it into arrays in a couple of lines.

[andy_c]

Originally posted by annex666
Is there a standard c++ function to read tab-seperated files?

Not directly. Here's how you might do this:

1) Use an ifstream file stream object and use its getline() function to get each line of the file into a character buffer.

2) Use the standard C function strtok() on the buffer, passing in "\t" as the delimiter. Each call to strtok() will put a null byte in the next occurrence of the tab character and return a pointer to the beginning the token.

[DRC]

Actually, there are no functions in C++ as there are no standard C++ function / class libraries (although there is a template library - STL - but not recomended for microsoft C++) !!

Dave

[andy_c]

Here's a book on the C++ standard library that I recommend very highly. It's really excellent.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

[Jay]

Originally posted by andy_c
It's really excellent.

Hmmm... excellent? I found that a book may be "excellent" to one reader, may be not to others, depending on the skill level of the reader, and preferency in learning strategies.

That is for beginners who need the book for learning. For experts, the book may only be needed for reference, and hence completeness is more important than structure.

[Christer]

Just for your info, the C++ standard (or more precisely the
draft version of it) is available on line at
ftp://ftp.research.att.com/dist/c++std/WP/CD2/
There are also plentiful of info on Stroustrups homepage
www.research.att.com/~bs/C++.html

[andy_c]

Originally posted by Jay
That is for beginners who need the book for learning. For experts, the book may only be needed for reference, and hence completeness is more important than structure.

What specific complaints do you have about the book, and what would you recommend as an alternative?

[Jay]

Originally posted by andy_c
What specific complaints do you have about the book, and what would you recommend as an alternative?

I thought it was a "free" book like what Christer had posted. Didn't see the amazon. So I wouldn't easily be persuaded to buy even if it is highly recommended . Anyway, I prefer that kind of "C++ in One Night!"