Linking a File to a C++ Program

[ssy]

I have to write a C++ program that opens a file and counts all the whitespace separated words in that file.

I am using GNU C++ compiler on Mac, using the terminal instead of an IDE. What command do I use to link a file to be opened in my C++ program at the command line? And I don't have to use an ifstream object right? Since I am not really opening up a file from within my program? Kind of confused...

[TerranceN]

Usually you don't link the file to your program, you open it with ifstream. ifstream does not require the file to be "within [your] program." Though I'm pretty sure you can include any data you want in your .exe, I just don't have a clue how to do it.

I'm sure this could explain it a lot better.

[ssy]

Thanks for the reply, but the reason I ask is because this program is supposed to be able to open ANY text files within the same directory. All the example codes I have seen only opens a specific file.

This is supposed to be the answer:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int nwords = 0;
string word;

while (cin >> word) {
++nwords;
}

cout << "Number of words = " << nwords << endl;
}

But I don't know how to execute that by linking a file to it.

[Monduman11]

umm quick question whats the diffference between #include <iostream> and #include <iostream.h>, oh and what about #include <conio.h>
cause i learned these with my teacher last year but she didint fully explain what they were for

[ssy]

Never mind, I figured it out!

For anyone who cares, I just need to link the text file to the a.out file, with this command: ./a.out < textfile.txt

And for Monduman11:
#include <iostream.h>
is equal to
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

Something to do with the transition from C to C++ and the way headers files are included.

[Monduman11]

ah kk thanks and im guessing #include<conio.h> is the same thing