C++ File and Stream Handling Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the difference between files and streams in C++?

In C++, a file is a physical storage container on disk where data is stored, while a stream is an abstraction that represents a sequence of bytes moving in or out of the storage medium. Streams provide a consistent interface for I/O operations, regardless of the actual data source or destination, which can be files or other I/O devices.

How does C++ handle file input/output operations?

C++ handles file input/output operations through its I/O library that includes streams like ifstream for input from a file, ofstream for output to a file, and fstream for both input and output. These stream objects are used to open files, read or write data, and close files. They also provide various functions and operators for handling file I/O.

What are some of the common member functions provided by iostream classes in C++ for file operations?

Common member functions provided by iostream classes in C++ for file operations include open() to open a file, close() to close a file, eof() to check if the end of the file has been reached, fail() to check for I/O errors, and read() or write() for binary data transactions. There are also functions like get(), getline(), put(), and << or >> operators for formatted I/O.

Study Notes

Files vs Streams in C++

Files are stored on disk, whereas streams are a flow of data that can come from various sources (e.g., keyboard, file, network).
Files are static, whereas streams are dynamic and can be manipulated on the fly.

C++ File Input/Output Operations

C++ uses the iostream standard library to handle file input/output operations.
The iostream classes provide an interface for reading from and writing to files, as well as other input/output devices.

iostream Class Member Functions for File Operations

open() : Opens a file and associates it with a stream object.
close() : Closes a file associated with a stream object.
read() / write() : Performs input/output operations on a file associated with a stream object.
seekg() / seekp() : Moves the get pointer (input) or put pointer (output) to a specified position in a file.
tellg() / tellp() : Returns the current position of the get pointer (input) or put pointer (output) in a file.
eof() : Checks if the end of a file has been reached.
good() : Checks if a file stream is in a good state (i.e., no errors have occurred).
bad() : Checks if a file stream is in a bad state (i.e., an error has occurred).
fail() : Checks if a file operation has failed.