System() Function in C/C++

Implementation of system() Function

In this section, we will be going to see multiple examples of using the system() function in C/C++ as follows:

Checking for the Command Processor

Before directly jumping into the example, we should first check if the command processor is installed on our systems or not. For which we can call the system() function by passing nullptr (or NULL) as an argument. If this function returns true means the command processor is present otherwise, no. 

If your output returns to be false, then you should consider installing the compiler from scratch because the system() function is a part of the standard library. You can download the compiler from the official documentation here.

Here is an implementation code to check:

#include <iostream>
#include<stdlib.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {

/* Checking if the system() return true 
means the command process is present; otherwise no */
   
   if(system(nullptr))
        cout<<"Yes Command Processor is present";
   else
        cout<<"No Command Processor is not present";
   return 0;
}

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Output:

Using color Command with system()

The system() function can be used to change the color of the text of Windows command prompt. The “color” can be passed to the system() function as an argument; here is the implementation below:

#include <iostream>
#include <stdlib.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {

/* Calling the system() function with “color” 
as an argument with color code as b (blue). */
   system("color b");
   return 0;
}

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Output:

Using ls Command with system()

The system() function can be used to print the list of all the files in the currently opened folder on the command prompt by passing “ls” as the argument that will retrieve the list of the files in the currently opened folder; here is the implementation below:

#include <iostream>
#include <stdlib.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {

/* Calling the system() function
 with “ls” as an argument. */
   system("ls");
   return 0;
}

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Output:

Using dir Command with system()

The system() function can be used to print the list of all the directories in the currently opened folder on the command prompt by passing “dir” as the argument; here is the implementation below:

#include <iostream>
#include <stdlib.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {

/* Calling the system() function with “dir” as an argument. */
   system("dir");
   return 0;
}

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Output:

System() Function Arguments

In this section, we will look at some arguments which you can pass to your system() function to interact with your operating system with the help of this below table:

Frequently Asked Questions

How to print the directories with the system() function?

We can use the system() function to print the list of directories on the command prompt. We need to pass an argument called “dir” in the system() function, and the syntax will be system(“dir”);

In which operating systems, the system() function can be used?

The system() can not be used in some systems that have the pause command on the system level, like Windows and DOS, and not Linux.

Is there any alternative for the system() function?

There are multiple functions that you can use instead of system(). You can use functions such as execve(), execv(), and execl() to execute the commands for the interaction with the operating system.

How to retrieve the current date using the system() function?

We can use the system() function to print the current data on the command prompt. We need to pass an argument called “date” in the system() function, and the syntax will be system(“date”);

Conclusion

If you want to interact with the operating system, the system() function can be used for the interaction using the C/C++ program. In this article, we discuss what this function is, the syntax of the system() function, and how to use it with different examples.

Here are more articles that are recommended to read:

• Introduction to functions
• Member functions in C++
• String Functions
• Inline Functions
• Friend Function in C++
• Nmap commands