c++Need help getting a function to write data from a text file to a vector of structs

[engggirl3000]

I was told to write a function that will read data, in a user defined text file, into a vector of structs. I am not sure where to start with this. Could some one tell me what is a vector of structs, I know vectors and I know structs, but I dont know whats a vector of structs. As well, is there a specific algoritm in c++ to use when reading from a user defined text file, or does cin work? If someone can give me a few pointers to help get started with this I would appreciate it. Thanks.

A sample of one of the text files is formatted like this:

3

Jon Smith 20009 40 32 12 13 14 17 12

Wilma Vohn 76448 20 30 12 12 18 20 14

Mark Matthews 55642 50 52 15 16 16 15 17

[Ganon11]

A vector of structs is just a vector holding structs:

vector<myStruct> myVec;

In order to do file input/output, you have to use an ifstream and ofstream object. These are included in the header file fstream (for file stream). ifstream works like cin, and ofstream works like cout.

To use an ifstream, for example, you would use this snippet of code:

ifstream FIN;
FIN.open("myFile.txt");
FIN >> myVar;

ofstreams are similar, but used for output (again, like cout):

ofstream FOUT;
FOUT.open("myOutputFile.txt");
FOUT << "This is a test of ofstreams.";

Of course, you'll have to come up with your own code to fit your data files.

[engggirl3000]

Thanks for your help.

Another question I have, what is the difference between reading a text file to a program and opening a text file in the program?

[Extremist]

Thanks for your help.

Another question I have, what is the difference between reading a text file to a program and opening a text file in the program?

You already posted it in it's own thread, don't repeat yourself constantly

[weaknessforcats]

You are going to be much happier if you use a flat file. That is, have a record layout so that the fields in the record are the same size in each record:

Jon Smith 20009 40 32 12 13 14 17 12

Wilma Vohn 76448 20 30 12 12 18 20 14

Mark Matthews 55642 50 52 15 16 16 15 17

If you do this, the name will always be the same length on the disc so you can use getline(). The other data can use the >> operator.

Then you code a Read function takes a struct address as an argument and that reads the next record from the file populating the struct with the data.