C++ program cannot find latex command with system() function call - c++

I am writing a C++ program which has to automatically generate some data to be used by students in an integrated exercise. I have already exported this data to .tex files and would also like the C++ program to be able to compile these tex files automatically.
Usually I would compile tex files from the command line by doing the following:
$ latex file.tex
$ latex file.tex
$ dvipdf file.dvi
So I tried doing the following in my C++ code (directory and filename are both strings):
//Move to the location where I created the files
string mycommand = "cd ";
mycommand += directory;
system(mycommand.c_str());
//Compile latex
mycommand = "latex " + filename + "_main.tex";
system(mycommand.c_str());
system(mycommand.c_str());
//Create .pdf
mycommand = "dvipdf " + filename + "_main.dvi";
system(mycommand.c_str());
Which then produces the following error message on the terminal output:
sh: latex: command not found
sh: latex: command not found
sh: dvipdf: command not found
I have searched this online but I have failed to find a solution for this problem, though I believe it is likely to be something very simple.
I am working on OSX and have the following version of latex installed:
pdfTeX 3.1415926-2.4-1.40.13 (TeX Live 2012)
kpathsea version 6.1.0
All help is greatly appreciated!

First, the path to the programs latex and dvipdf needs to be in your PATH environment variable.
Second, the calls of the shell via system are totally independent (in fact a new instance of the shell is started each time). So if you switch the directory in one, this does not affect the others. Switch instead the current directory of your program via:
chdir(directory.c_str())
You need for this
#include <cunistd>
using namespace std;
at the beginning of the file.
Please note that system calls with command lines depending on input parameters can be easily exploited to run arbitrary commands if the parameters (in your case the filename) are not carefully checked. As you do not have quotes, the program fails if there are e.g. whitespaces in the filename.

Related

C++ System(); function not working as expected / Windows console commands in C++

Hello friendly people of stack overflow!
I am currently working on a project using an Arduino Uno. Because i create all my files and sketches using a c++ program, i want to eliminate the Arduino IDE from my workflow. For that i can very easily use avrdude (which the IDE uses anyway) and some windows console commands.
These are the commands that i am using:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/bin/avrdude" "-CC:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/etc/avrdude.conf" -v -patmega328p -carduino -PCOM4 -b115200 -D -Uflash:w:C:\Users\Jzargo\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_build_766345/EPaper_TestDither.ino.hex:i
"EPaper_TestDither.ino" is the arduino Sketch i want to compile and upload. When using the console and manually inserting the above commands, everything works as expected.
And here comes the part I am struggeling with:
Because i also dont want the user to manually open the console and type in some gibberish code, i want to integrate this command into my c++ program using the system(); function:
system("\"C:\\Program Files(x86)\\Arduino\\hardware\\tools\\avr/bin/avrdude\" \" - CC:\\Program Files(x86)\\Arduino\\\hardware\\tools\\avr/etc/avrdude.conf\" -v -patmega328p -carduino -PCOM4 -b115200 -D -Uflash:w:C:\\Users\\Jzargo\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\arduino_build_766345/EPaper_TestDither.ino.hex:i");
When executing this function, the command cannot be executed because "Der Befehl "C:\Program" ist entweder falsch geschrieben oder konnte nicht gefunden werden.", which roughly translates to "The Command "C:\Program" is not written correctly or cant be found".
I do not understand why the console accepts the command when manually inserting it, but not when using the system(); function.
I hope you can help me figure this out.
Edit: By using
subst H: "C:\Program Files(x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr\bin" and
system("\"H:/avrdude \"-CC:/Program Files (x86)/Arduino/hardware/tools/avr/etc/avrdude.conf\"\" -v -patmega328p -carduino -PCOM4 -b115200 -D -Uflash:w:C:/Users/Jzargo/AppData/Local/Temp/arduino_build_833906/EPaper_TestDither.ino.hex:i");
I was able to upload my sketch. Note the changed Placement of \".
But for some reason, this does not work when using C:\Program Files(x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr\bin instead of H:.
Kindest regards
J'zargo
The command looks messed up with respect to the parameters, although I don't see how exactly that triggers your specific error.
The beginning is OK. The path is properly quoted (double quotes, protected by backslashes from the C compiler). But why do you have slashes and backslashes mixed? In some online examples I saw that people use forward slashes in Windows paths (C:/whatever...) ; that seems to work and is easier than using double backslashes all the time (but it should not trigger your — or any — error).
So system("\"C:\\Program Files(x86)\\Arduino\\hardware\\tools\\avr/bin/avrdude\" ... should call the right executable. Why don't you try that on its own (without parameters) to see whether the error persists?
I suspect that \" - CC:\\Program Files(x86)\\ ... is not correct though. avrdude expects a parameter -C<path>, not - C<path> (note the badly placed spaces before and after the dash).
As an aside, it may not hurt to quote parameters that contain funny characters like colons which may have special meanings.
The general advice for this kind of trouble:
Work in and with paths that do not contain spaces, brackets, or other non-identifier characters. If you don't want to change the avrdude installation path you can use the DOS subst command to create a drive whose root is C:\Program Files(x86) or even C:\Program Files(x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr\bin, e.g. subst H: "C:\Program Files(x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr\bin". The command would then be H:/avrdude :-).
If confronted with a bug you don't understand, simplify the problem radically until a toy version works; then add complexity bit by bit until you encounter the error; that should make it easier to recognize what triggered it.
Edit: I'm not sure this example is valid because I used the msys2 development environment and ran the example in a bash shell; I'm not even sure cmd is called as the system shell by the syste call!
In order to check the system call semantics I wrote the following minimal example (which uses mixed slashes/backslashes as a test). The current directory has a sub directory called "some dir" containing a minimal program showargs which simply writes its command line parameters to stdout:
$ ls -l "some dir" && echo && cat cmdline.c && echo && gcc -o cmdline cmdline.c && ./cmdline.exe
total 56
-rwxr-xr-x 1 Peter None 56097 Apr 16 17:23 showargs.exe
#include <stdlib.h>
int main(int argc, char **argv)
{
system("\".\\some dir/showargs\" 1 2 3");
}
->.\some dir/showargs<-
->1<-
->2<-
->3<-

Script for Notepad++ NppExec for C++ in ubuntu

I just switched to ubuntu and I wanted to setup notepad++ for CPP.
So I used the NppExec plugin to compile within notepad++,
My script was :
npp_save
g++ "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)" -o "$(CURRENT_DIRECTORY)\$(NAME_PART)obj"
./"$(NAME_PART)obj"
Here the "obj" I used is to just save the file with an "obj" keyword nothing else.
The last line ./"$(NAME_PART)obj" is to run the program.
But it looks not working in ubuntu, it produces this error:
NPP_SAVE: Z:\home\username\cpp\test.cpp
g++ "Z:\home\username\cpp\test.cpp" -o "Z:\home\username\cpp\testobj"
; about to start a child process: "g++ "Z:\home\username\cpp\test.cpp" -o "Z:\home\username\cpp\testobj"
CreatProcess() failed with error code 2:
File not found.
./"testobj"
; about to start a child process: "./"testobj""
CreatProcess() failed with error code 2:
File not found.
I have investigated some of what I think is the problem, so I think is the usage of / and \ in changing the directory.
I don't know how to fix that, so I can not be sure.
Any ideas? :) I am using vim btw in the same machine and it is working perfectly.
In theory it might be possible (see below), in practice it is rather convoluted and works only for simple compiles (like single file hello world type).
I would suggest you try a linux program, e.g.
an editor like
scite (same editing engine as notepad++) or
kate
or a real IDE like
kdeveloper or
qtcreator.
The problems with Notepad++ inside wine and g++ outside wine (from the linux install ) are this:
notepad++ inside wine under linux is still a windows program
NppExec can only do, what a cmd inside wine can do.
starting g++ directly inside cmd is an error due to g++ being a linux binary and not a windows binary
that is your CreatProcess() failed with error code 2, it means: you are trying to execute a linux program inside wine.
That does not work! (At least not so easy.)
Though you can start linux program inside cmd inside wine using start /unix ...
started this way, g++ wants linux paths and NppExec through its variables will provide only windows paths (whatever wine has set up as drives like Z:\home\username\src\hello.cpp)
though you can convert wine paths to linux paths via the winepath -u command.
g++ started through 'start /unix ... ' inside a cmd inside wine has no proper terminal to report errors to you
though you can start an xterm for g++ and have g++ reports its messages to the xterm
the downside is that g++ will report errors using the linux paths in the xterm, so you cannot double click on an error message an get to the corresponding filename and line.
You get the idea: its complicated not comfortable.
What worked for me for a helloword.cpp was this NppExec script:
NPP_SAVE
npp_run cmd /c start /unix /usr/bin/xterm -e "/usr/bin/winepath -u '$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)' | xargs g++ -o /tmp/a.out && /tmp/a.out ; echo 'Press return'; read"
The second line
uses an xterm,
let winepath convert the Z:\home\... path to /home/... and
have that send to g++ for compilation using /tmp/a.out as binary
if compile is successfull, /tmp/a.out is executed
the echo and read are for keeping the xterm open so that you can read the output.
If you really want to use Notepad++ inside wine, one option might be using Gnu Make outside of wine and have NppExec run make all or make run similar to the g++ in my script example. That would work for more complicated compiles.

Ubuntu shell script: Using >> the output txt file is not opening

I using the following python script to create a shell script:
with open("decode_JOURNAL2017.sh", "a") as myfile:
levels_no = 16
#myfile.write("#!/bin/bash\n")
for x in range(0, levels_no):
myfile.write("/home/zinonas/SHM-12.3/bin/TAppDecoderStatic -b /home/zinonas/str/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P.bin -olsidx "+str(x)+" -o"+str(x)+" /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_"+str(x)+"_dec.yuv >> /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_"+str(x)+"_dec.txt\n")
Then I transfer the following created script to an ubuntu server:
/home/zinonas/SHM-12.3/bin/TAppDecoderStatic -b /home/zinonas/str/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P.bin -olsidx 0 -o0 /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_0_dec.yuv >> /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_0_dec.txt
/home/zinonas/SHM-12.3/bin/TAppDecoderStatic -b /home/zinonas/str/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P.bin -olsidx 1 -o1 /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_1_dec.yuv >> /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_1_dec.txt
/home/zinonas/SHM-12.3/bin/TAppDecoderStatic -b /home/zinonas/str/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P.bin -olsidx 2 -o2 /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_2_dec.yuv >> /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_2_dec.txt
When I run it, the txt files are created but when I double click to one to open it I get this message:
Can't create file 'C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Temp\scp43940\home\zinonas\decode\pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_0_dec.txt
'.
System Error. Code: 123.
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect
I can't even transfer this txt file to my windows desktop via winscp.
The yuv files are working properly!
EDIT: When I copy/paste the content of the shell script to the terminal, the txt files are working properly.
EDIT 2: When I rename the file and remove txt and add it again, the file opens properly...
Do you know how to fix this?
Thank you in advance!
You probably have Windows line endings in the script file – at least that's why I get from the error message if you pasted it correctly.
Run dos2unix scriptFilename.sh or sed -i 's/\r//' scriptFilename.sh to remove the Windows line endings from the script.
For Python scripting refer to this Question&Answer: How to write Unix end of line characters in Windows using Python
I found the solution.
While creating the shell script, next to the name of the txt file I had:
...
>> /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_"+str(x)+"_dec.txt\n")
so the new line character \n want next to txt. That was the problem. I added a new space between them and the problem solved!
My new code now reads:
...
>> /home/zinonas/decode/pirkagia_10b_lowdelay_P_level_"+str(x)+"_dec.txt \n")
Is there a "rogue" CR at the end of the file name?

Scite: "Go" not running compiled and built code, giving "not recognized" error

The "Go" function is Scite is giving me the following error
"'.' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file."
Is the '.' trying to relate to a path?
I have no trouble compiling and building. The exe file built works too. I just used a simple hello world code:
int main()
{
cout << "Hello " ;
return 0;
}
Thanks for any help.
This is because scite is using './' before the generated output file to execute the program and this is what we normally do to execute the programs in 'terminal' (linux). however, this is not required in windows and we just specify the output name and hit enter to execute '.exe' files.
you need to open cpp.properties in option menu and lookup the following:
# C++ styles
under the comment
# Braces are only matched in operator style
edit the line
command.go.*.c=./$(FileName)
to remove './'. Make it
command.go.*.c=$(FileName)
Again repeat the same thing below the following comment:
# To make the Go command both compile (if needed) and execute, use this setting:
#command.go.needs.*.c=gcc $(ccopts) -std=c99 $(FileNameExt) -o $(FileName)
Change
command.go.*.c=./$(FileName)
to
command.go.*.c=$(FileName)
'make' setting
If you are using mingW-gcc then lookup for the 'make' program in mingW-gcc installation folder. That should be 'mingw32-make'. Below the comment:
# Braces are only matched in operator style
Change
make.command=make
to
make.command=mingw32-make

What is a 'shebang' line?

Currently I'm trying to start programming on my new Mac. I installed TextWrangler, and chose C++ as my language of choice; since I have some prior knowledge of it, from when I used Windows.
So, I wrote the ever so common "Hello World" program. Although, when I tried to run it, I got an error:
"This file doesn’t appear to contain a valid ‘shebang’ line (application error code: 13304)"
I tried searching the error code to find out how to fix this, but I couldn't find anything.. I have no idea what a 'shebang' line is... Can someone help me out?
You need to compile it with a compiler first. I assume you tried to run the source file like ./source but C++ doesn't work this way.
With some compilers however, you can provide a shebang-line as the first line of the source file (the #! is known as shebang or crunchbang, hence the name), like so:
#!/path/to/compiler
So that the shell knows what application is used to run that sort of file, and when you attempt to run the source file by itself, the compiler will compile and run it for you. That's a compiler-dependent feature though, so I recommend just plain compiling with G++ or whatever Macs use to get an executable, then run that.
While I wouldn't recommend it for regular C++ development, I'm using a simple shell script wrapper for small C++ utilities. Here is a Hello World example:
#if 0 // -- build and run wrapper script for C++ ------------------------------
TMP=$(mktemp -d)
c++ -o ${TMP}/a.out ${0} && ${TMP}/a.out ${#:1} ; RV=${?}
rm -rf ${TMP}
exit ${RV}
#endif // ----------------------------------------------------------------------
#include <iostream>
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
std::cout << "Hello world" << std::endl;
return 0;
}
It does appear that you are trying to run the source file directly, however you will need to compile using a C++ compiler, such as that included in the gcc (GNU Compiler Collection) which contains the C++ compiler g++ for the Mac. It is not included with the Mac, you have to download it first:
from http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/726/mac-os-x-install-gcc-compiler/ : "To install the gcc compiler, download the xcode package from http://connect.apple.com/. You’ll need to register for an Apple Developer Connection account. Once you’ve registered, login and click Download Software and then Developer Tools. Find the Download link next to Xcode Tools (version) – CD Image and click it!"
Once it's installed, if you are going for a quick Hello World, then, from a terminal window in the directory of your source file, you can execute the command g++ HelloWorld.cpp -o HelloWorld. Then you should be able to run it as ./HelloWorld.
Also, if you're coming from a Visual Studio world, you might want to give Mono and MonoDevelop a try. Mono is a free implementation of C# (and other languages), and MonoDevelop is an IDE which is very similar to Visual Studio. MonoDevelop supports C# and other .NET languages, including Visual Basic .NET, as well as C/C++ development. I have not used it extensively, but it does seem to be very similar to VS, so you won't have to learn new everything all in a day. I also have used KDevelop, which I liked a lot while I was using it, although that's been a while now. It has a lot of support for GNU-style development in C/C++, and was very powerful as I recall.
Good luck with your endeavors!
Links:
Mono: http://mono-project.com/Main_Page
MonoDevelop: http://monodevelop.com/
KDevelop: http://kdevelop.org/
shebang is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shebang_%28Unix%29.
not sure why your program is not running. you will need to compile and link to make an executable.
What I find confusing (/interesting) is C++ program giving "Shebang line" error. Shebang line is a way for the Unix like operating system to specify which program should be used to interpret the rest of the file. The shebang line usually points to the path of the interpreter. C++ is a compiled language and does not have interpreter for it.
To get the real technical details of how shebang lines work, do a man execve and get that man page online here - man execve.
If you're on a mac then doing something like this on the commandline:
g++ -o program program.cpp
Will compile and link your program into an executable called program. Then you can run it like:
./program
The reason you got the 'shebang' error is probably because you tried to run the cpp file like:
./program.cpp
And the shell tries to find an interpreter to run the code in the file. Because this is C++ there is no relevant interpreter but if your file contains Python or Bash then having a line like this
#!/usr/bin/python
at the 1st line in your source file will tell the shell to use the python interpreter
The lines that start with a pattern like this: #!/.../.../.. is called a shebang line. In other words, a shebang is the character sequence consisting of the characters number sign and exclamation mark (#!).In Unix-like operating systems, when a text file with a shebang is used as if it is an executable, the program loader mechanism parses the rest of the file's initial line as an interpreter directive. The loader executes the specified interpreter program, passing to it as an argument the path that was initially used when attempting to run the script, so that the program may use the file as input data.