File Handling in C: A Complete Guide to File Operations

Learn the fundamentals of file handling in C programming, where working with files is akin to managing documents on your computer. Discover how to use a file pointer to interact with files and utilize the fopen() function to open files. This guide covers different modes of operation, including creating a new file using the "w" mode, which allows you to write to a file or create it if it doesn't exist.

File Handling in C

Opening and Working with Files

In C programming, working with files is similar to handling documents on your computer. To manage files, you use a special type of variable known as a file pointer. Think of it as a guide that points to the file you want to interact with.

Opening a File

To open a file, you utilize the fopen() function. This function requires two parameters: the name of the file and the mode of operation (read, write, or append).

Creating a New File

If you intend to create a new file, use the "w" mode in the fopen() function. This indicates that you want to write to the file. If the file does not exist, it will be created automatically.

#include 

int main() {
    FILE *fptr; // Create a file pointer

    // Create a new file called "my_file.txt"
    fptr = fopen("my_file.txt", "w");

    // Close the file when you're done
    fclose(fptr);
    return 0;
}

Important Note

When you close a file using fclose(), it ensures that your changes are saved and that the file is ready for other programs to access.