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File Handling in C Easy Notes

This document provides an overview of file handling in C, explaining its importance for permanent data storage and detailing the types of files (text and binary). It outlines key file operations, opening modes with the fopen() function, and essential functions for reading and writing data. Additionally, it includes an example program demonstrating how to write to and read from a file, along with error checking for file opening success.

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4 views3 pages

File Handling in C Easy Notes

This document provides an overview of file handling in C, explaining its importance for permanent data storage and detailing the types of files (text and binary). It outlines key file operations, opening modes with the fopen() function, and essential functions for reading and writing data. Additionally, it includes an example program demonstrating how to write to and read from a file, along with error checking for file opening success.

Uploaded by

chetantricker98
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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File Handling in C - Easy Notes

1. Why File Handling?


- To store data permanently (unlike variables which store temporarily in RAM).
- Files allow saving and retrieving data even after program ends.

2. File Types in C
- Text files: store readable characters (e.g., .txt)
- Binary files: store data in binary format (e.g., .dat)

3. File Operations
1. Create/Open a file
2. Read from a file
3. Write to a file
4. Close the file

4. File Opening Modes with fopen()


FILE *fptr;
fptr = fopen("filename.txt", "mode");

Modes:
- "r" : Open for reading (file must exist)
- "w" : Open for writing (erases if file exists, creates if not)
- "a" : Append to file (creates if not exists)
- "r+" : Read + Write (file must exist)
- "w+" : Read + Write (erases if exists)
- "a+" : Read + Append (creates if not exists)

5. Writing to a File
fputc('A', fptr); // write single char
fputs("Hello", fptr); // write string
fprintf(fptr, "%d", 100); // formatted output

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File Handling in C - Easy Notes

6. Reading from a File


ch = fgetc(fptr); // read single char
fgets(str, size, fptr); // read string/line
fscanf(fptr, "%d", &num); // formatted input

7. Closing a File
fclose(fptr);

Always close the file to free up system resources.

8. Example: Write and Read from File


#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
FILE *file;
char ch;

// Open file for writing and reading


file = fopen("example.txt", "w+");

fputs("Hello!", file); // Write to file


rewind(file); // Go back to start

while ((ch = fgetc(file)) != EOF) {


putchar(ch); // Print each character
}

fclose(file);
return 0;
}

9. Checking if File Opened Successfully

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File Handling in C - Easy Notes

if (file == NULL) {
printf("File could not be opened.\n");
return 1;
}

10. File Handling Functions Summary


Function Purpose
fopen() Open file
fclose() Close file
fgetc() Read char
fputc() Write char
fgets() Read string/line
fputs() Write string
fscanf() Read formatted data
fprintf() Write formatted data
rewind() Go to beginning of file
fseek() Move file pointer
ftell() Get current position

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