opening a folder or file in a windows domain

[Lz]

I am trying to open a folder from somewhere in a windows domain for
processing (using C++). Something like:

ifstream infile;
infile.open(\\thesharename\somefolder");
while(!infile.eof()){
....
}

I want to inspect it and process it in a manner like the *nix test command
or *nix shell scripting allows. I would also like to open a file from a
domain for processing as well. Is this even possible or am I just confused?

thanks in advance for any advice.
Lz