Question

Passing Argument

Asked by: ExpExchHelp

I need some help with passing an argument from >> input << to >> output <<.

When this program is executed (from command window), the user must enter "name of executable", "image input filename" [1st argument], "image output filename" [2nd argument].

The programs then does do some "processing" (what it does is not pertaining to this question).

The the program sent feedback to screen ("You have successfully unhidden the image")  

Now, here's what I need some help with.  Instead of just indicating "image", I'd like to include the output filename that the user entered [2nd argument].    How do I pass that value from the input section to the fprintf statement at the bottom of the program?

Thanks,
EEH



************
// The main function has always access to the programs.
// argc = counter; argv = array of strings.
int main(int argc, char **argv){


      // Initialize variables:
        // ... done here


      // The read program is invoked by: readimage inputfile outputfile.
      // Program requires at least 3 arguments:
      // 1. "call program"
      // 2. "input pgm"
      // 3. "output pgm"; the modified image will be written to this outfile file

      if (argc < 3) {
            fprintf(stderr,"Usage: readimage input-file-name output-file-name\n");
            exit(0);
      }
      fpIn = fopen(argv[1],"rb");                        // argv[1] contains the filename
      if (fpIn == NULL) {
            fprintf(stderr,"%s either cannot be read or does not exist\n", argv[1]);
            exit(-1);
      }
      string = (char *) calloc(256,1);            // initialized dynamic memory allocation
      while (!doneReading && (c = (char) fgetc(fpIn)) != '\0')
      {
            switch(c) {
case 'P':
      c = (char) getc(fpIn);
      switch(c) {
case '2':
      numberOfBands = 1;
      // ppmType = PPMASCII;
      break;
case '3':
      numberOfBands = 3;
      // ppmType = PPMASCII;
      break;
case '5':
      numberOfBands = 1;
      // ppmType = PPMGRAY;
      break;
case '6':
      numberOfBands = 3;
      // ppmType = PPMRAW;
      break;
      }  

      c = (char) getc(fpIn);
      if (c != 0x0A) {
            ungetc(c,fpIn);
      }
      else {
            ungetc(c,fpIn);
            fgets(string,256,fpIn);
      }
      break;

case '#':
      fgets(string,256,fpIn);
      break;
case '1':
case '2':
case '3':
case '4':
case '5':
case '6':
case '7':
case '8':
case '9':
      ungetc(c,fpIn);
      fscanf(fpIn,"%d %d %d", &numberOfColumns, &numberOfRows, &highVal);
      doneReading = TRUE;
      fgetc(fpIn);
      break;

            }    // End Switch
      }      // End While


      // Reads from the specified pointer; 1 byte, # of pixels, and file pointer
      image = (unsigned char *) malloc(totalPixels);
      l = fread(image,1,totalPixels,fpIn);
      fprintf(stderr,"fread returned %d bytes\n", l);
      imaged = (unsigned char *) malloc(totalPixels);


      // Some processing is performed here!


      // ******** Image Output Section ********
      //Generate the midterm2.pgm (modified) image
      fpOut = fopen(argv[2],"wb");

      // Write image header
      fprintf(fpOut,"P%d\n%d %d\n255\n",numberOfBands>1?6:5,numberOfColumns,numberOfRows);  
    fwrite(imaged,1,totalPixels,fpOut);          

// Feedback
fprintf(stdout,"\n\n\nYou have successfully unhidden the image!\n\n\n");                                            


      // Exit routine
      exit(0);  

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Asked On
2007-11-01 at 17:30:01ID22933843
Topics

C Programming Language

,

C++ Programming Language

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
9

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Answers

 

by: NickGeorghiouPosted on 2007-11-01 at 19:13:41ID: 20197950

Hi,
Try the following:

char* arg2 = argv[2];
fprintf(stdout, arg2);

Cheers,
Nick

 

by: ExpExchHelpPosted on 2007-11-01 at 19:48:03ID: 20198085

Nick,

how do I string the following togehter?

You have successfully unhidden the image (filename: imagename)!

 

by: ExpExchHelpPosted on 2007-11-01 at 19:48:25ID: 20198088

.... where imagename = arg2

 

by: NickGeorghiouPosted on 2007-11-01 at 20:35:25ID: 20198285

Hi again,

You can actually do this a number of ways.
If you wish to continue to use fprintf then one way you can do it is to use a stringstream to create your string. For this you will need to #include <sstream> at the top of your file and then do the following:

std::stringstream msg;
msg << "You have successfully unhidden the image (filename: " << arg2 << ")!";
fprintf(stdout, msg.str().c_str());

But a simpler way is to not use fprintf for this. Instead if you put #include <iostream> at the top of your file you can simply replace your fprintf line with the following:
std::cout << "You have successfully unhidden the image (filename: " << arg2 << ")!" << std::endl;

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Nick

 

by: NickGeorghiouPosted on 2007-11-01 at 21:15:10ID: 20198397

Sorry,
I gave you the C++ answer to your last question. Try this for C:

char string[80];
strcpy(string, "\n\n\nYou have successfully unhidden the image (filename: ");
strcat(string, arg2);          
strcat(string, ")!\n\n\n");
fprintf(stdout, string);

Cheers,
Nick

 

by: ikeworkPosted on 2007-11-01 at 23:01:22ID: 20198618

same answer, as in your other q .. just like this:

fprintf(stdout,"\n\n\nYou have successfully unhidden the image (%s)!\n\n\n", argv[2]);

the "%s" is the placeholder for the following argument "argv[2]"


ike

 

by: ExpExchHelpPosted on 2007-11-02 at 04:49:04ID: 20199808

Thank you, Nick.   That works great!

EEH

 

by: Infinity08Posted on 2007-11-02 at 04:51:15ID: 20199826

If you chose to use this :

>> char string[80];
>> strcpy(string, "\n\n\nYou have successfully unhidden the image (filename: ");
>> strcat(string, arg2);          
>> strcat(string, ")!\n\n\n");
>> fprintf(stdout, string);

then note that this is far from the best way to do this in C. ikework's last post shows a way nicer and cleaner way to do this.

 

by: NickGeorghiouPosted on 2007-11-02 at 05:05:15ID: 20199924

EEH, thanks for recognizing that I answered your original question in a suitable manner.

For others interested, EEH reposted the follow up question here:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Programming/Languages/C/Q_22934065.html

Ikeworks solution was correctly chosen as the Accepted Answer in this instance.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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