Simple Shell Gaming Project in C++

Projects Inventory

8 months ago

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <cstdlib>

using namespace std;

int main() {
    string command;

    cout << "Simple Shell - Type 'exit' to quit" << endl;

    while (true) {
        cout << "> ";
        getline(cin, command); // Read user input

        if (command == "exit") {
            break; // Exit the loop and terminate the shell
        }

        // Execute the command using system()
        int result = system(command.c_str());

        // Check if the command execution was successful
        if (result != 0) {
            cerr << "Error: Command failed with return code " << result << endl;
        }
    }

    return 0;
}

#include <iostream>

#include <string>

#include <cstdlib>

using namespace std;

int main() {

string command;

cout << "Simple Shell - Type 'exit' to quit" << endl;

while (true) {

cout << "> ";

getline(cin, command); // Read user input

if (command == "exit") {

break; // Exit the loop and terminate the shell

}

// Execute the command using system()

int result = system(command.c_str());

// Check if the command execution was successful

if (result != 0) {

cerr << "Error: Command failed with return code " << result << endl;

}

return 0;

}

Explanation

Headers:
- <iostream>: For input and output operations.
- <string>: To use the std::string class.
- <cstdlib>: For the system()
  
  function.
Main Function:
- Initialization:
  - Displays a welcome message indicating the shell’s start and how to exit.
- Command Loop:
  - Uses an infinite while (true) loop to continuously prompt the user for input.
  - getline(cin, command): Reads a full line of input from the user and stores it in the command
    
    string.
- Exit Condition:
  - If the user types exit, the loop breaks, and the shell terminates.
- Command Execution:
  - system(command.c_str()): Executes the command entered by the user. The c_str() method converts the std::string to a C-style string (const char*), which is required by the system() function.
  - Checks the return value of system(). A non-zero return value indicates that the command failed, and an error message is printed.

Notes:

This simple shell uses the system() function, which executes commands as if they were typed into the command line. It is useful for learning and basic use but has security and portability considerations.

The shell can execute any command that the underlying system’s shell can handle (e.g., ls, dir, mkdir, etc.).
For real-world applications, consider using more secure and sophisticated methods for command execution and shell interaction. This example is intended for educational purposes to illustrate basic shell functionality.

Explanation

Related Posts: