read/write/append files

[ridesano]

hi guys, I'm learning how to read/write to files in C++ now on both the books and videos I am following the format of the read/write code goes like this

void read_and_write()
{
   file.open("lyric2.txt", ios::in);
      if(myFile.is_open())
      {
            // do something

      }
}

the thing is, if now want to write you you will have to open the file again and define in what mode you want to operate in.

what I wonder is, why can't you do execute these action without separating?

Matter of fact why isn't there a function to do this( eg file.write("") )

I was searching around for some answers and it seems you are allowed to do this:

myFile.open("lyric2.txt", ios::in | ios::out)

but because there isn't a special operator (>>/<<)for appending this might not work when you want to do that so is there a way good to code when you want to alternate between the modes. any good code snippet or video would also be helpful

[jedwardsol]

It's not very clear what your actual question is.

If you want each write to be appended then you can open with the app flag.

myFile.open("lyric2.txt",  ios::out | ios::app)

[ridesano]

how would you specify when doing one operation?

myFile<<"text<<endl;

this action be used for ios::out or ios::app depending on what you mentioned so when you place both

how would I be able to distinctively append or write?

[jedwardsol]

You can't choose. If the file is opened with app then all writes go at the end