How can I change to another directory in C++?

I am writing a program in C++ where I have 500 folders, each containing one text file. I want to read each text file from each folder in C++.

How can I accomplish this?

From stackoverflow

• findfirstfile

• The C++ Standard does not specify any directory functions, so you will have to use something implementation-specific. For example, on Windows you can use the chdir() function. declared in <direct.h>.

  BTW, please note it's a good idea to indicate which operating system(s) you are interested in when posting questions like this.

• I have nothing to say.

  Thomas L Holaday : Rich B on the warpath :-)

• You don't want to change dir, but just open them to read their entries ( see opendir() )

  Usually I find it easier to handle the complete path than rely on the process's current directory.

• If you want a neat and portable way to access files and directories, look no further than Boost.Filesystem. You should browse through the documentation to find exactly what you need. Below is a suggestion of how you could use the framework to get things done.

  #include <iostream>
  #include <filesystem>
  
  using std::tr2::sys;
  using std::cout;
  
  void do_something_with_file( std::string const& p )
  {
    std::cout << "Found file : " << p << std::end;
  }
  
  void explore_directory( std::string const& p )
  {
      for (directory_iterator itr(p); itr!=directory_iterator(); ++itr)
      {
        if( is_directory(itr->status()) )
        {
          explore_directory(itr->path().filename());
        }
        else if( is_regular_file(itr->status()) )
        {
          do_something_with_file(itr->path().filename());
        }
      }
  }
  
  int main(int argc, char* argv[])
  {
    std::string p(argc <= 1 ? "." : argv[1]);
  
    if (is_directory(p))
    {
      explore_directory(p);
    }
    else cout << (exists(p) : "Found: " : "Not found: ") << p << '\n';
  
    return 0;
  }
  

  Adrian Grigore : I'm amazed that none of the previous 4 posts recommended boost.

  fa. : it gives a chance to learn to do it with the native system calls

  Benoît : You always can, but it's, in my opinion, not the most efficient (as in time-to-code) way to do it.

  anon : not everyone is s boost fan

  Benoît : I can see that but i guess i don't understand why :)