Hey everyone, I’m working on a C program that uses the system() function to run a shell command. I’m curious about the execution order and output. Here’s my code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
system("dir");
printf("farewell");
return 0;
}
I’m wondering if “farewell” will be printed after the dir command runs. Can anyone explain how this works? Does the system() function block execution until the command finishes? I’m a bit confused about the order of operations here. Thanks for any help!
As someone who’s worked extensively with C, I can confirm that system() does indeed block execution until the command completes. Your program will output the directory listing first, then print ‘farewell’. This behavior is crucial to understand when integrating shell commands into your C programs.
However, I’d like to add a word of caution. While system() is straightforward to use, it’s generally considered poor practice in professional development due to potential security vulnerabilities and lack of error handling. For more robust code, consider alternatives like the exec family of functions or platform-specific APIs. These offer better control and security, albeit with a steeper learning curve.
yep, system() blocks execution until the command finishes. So ‘farewell’ will print after the dir output. It’s like pausing your program to run a separate command, then resuming where u left off. just keep in mind system() can be risky for security, so use with caution!
I’ve encountered this exact scenario in my projects. The system() function indeed blocks execution until the command completes. In your case, you’ll see the directory listing first, followed by ‘farewell’. It’s worth noting that while system() is convenient, it’s not always the best choice for production code. I’ve found using dedicated libraries or APIs for specific tasks often provides better control and security. For instance, if you need to work with directories frequently, consider exploring functions like opendir() and readdir() for more granular control over file operations.