How to Open Cmd(Command Prompt) through C program

Question

Actually, I want to execute DOS command by a C program and want to display the output of DOS command in my C Output Window.

example:

use "dir C:\" which displays output to C- program

You should use pipe, no idea how to do this in Windows, in UNIX systems you use popen. There must be some equivalent for this in Windows — Kiril Kirov
– Kiril Kirov, Commented Feb 3, 2011 at 11:18
Sorry, the pipe is needed only if you want to use the output in you program, forgot to mention that. Otherwise, you can use system(".."), as the other answers suggest. — Kiril Kirov
– Kiril Kirov, Commented Feb 3, 2011 at 11:26

thkala · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-03 11:20:16Z

8

To execute a command in the same cmd.exe window where your C program is running:

#include <stdlib.h>
.
.
.
system("dir C:\\");

To launch a separate windows, you need to call cmd.exe:

system("cmd.exe /c dir c:\\");

(Note: I have not tested this one);

answered Feb 3, 2011 at 11:20

thkala

86.9k24 gold badges167 silver badges205 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Does not work on windows 10 just outputs to same window.

Felice Pollano · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-03 11:18:14Z

3

system("dir");

should dump in the current stdout

answered Feb 3, 2011 at 11:18

Felice Pollano

33.4k10 gold badges77 silver badges125 bronze badges

Michael Warren · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-01 07:54:13Z

2

But system() is evil. Here's why: http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/articles/11153/ Make sure you give thorough thought before using it.

answered Oct 1, 2012 at 7:54

Michael Warren

291 bronze badge