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Q&A Problems with data structures and filestreams.

So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel l...

2 answers  ·  posted 3y ago by dumplings‭  ·  edited 2y ago by Alexei‭

#7: Post edited by user avatar Alexei‭ · 2022-06-26T16:24:17Z (over 2 years ago)
rollback to a revision that actually contains meaningful information
  • Can someone briefly explain how struct actually works in data structures?
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be adding beside the '&' operator in the brackets of my 'while' loop*/
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
#6: Post edited by user avatar dumplings‭ · 2022-06-26T14:08:16Z (over 2 years ago)
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be adding beside the '&' operator in the brackets of my 'while' loop*/
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
  • Can someone briefly explain how struct actually works in data structures?
#5: Post edited by user avatar Monica Cellio‭ · 2021-12-20T14:12:13Z (almost 3 years ago)
fixed title damaged in otherwise-good edit
  • Removed unnecessary formatting
  • Problems with data structures and filestreams.
#4: Post edited by user avatar anatolyg‭ · 2021-12-20T14:11:52Z (almost 3 years ago)
  • Problems with data structures and filestreams.
  • Removed unnecessary formatting
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • > Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be adding beside the '&' operator in the brackets of my 'while' loop*/
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • > (Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • > Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be adding beside the '&' operator in the brackets of my 'while' loop*/
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
#3: Post edited by user avatar dumplings‭ · 2021-12-13T15:32:30Z (almost 3 years ago)
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • > Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be adding beside the '&' operator in the brackets of my **** */
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • > (Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • > Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • > Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be adding beside the '&' operator in the brackets of my 'while' loop*/
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • > (Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • > Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
#2: Post edited by user avatar dumplings‭ · 2021-12-13T15:32:02Z (almost 3 years ago)
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • > Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be */
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){ //I'm confused on what I should put beside the '&' operator
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • > (Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • > Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
  • So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.
  • > Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.
  • ```
  • /*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
  • struct book{
  • char *title;
  • char *author;
  • char *subject;
  • };
  • struct library {
  • struct book collection;
  • int num_books;
  • struct library *next;
  • };
  • struct library* head;
  • struct book collection;
  • struct book *aPtr;
  • struct library aCollection;
  • struct library *aaPtr;
  • ```
  • ```
  • /*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
  • void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
  • //How to define library here?
  • FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
  • int j, found=0;
  • char stitle[MAX];
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
  • printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
  • scanf("%s", stitle);
  • /*I'm confused on what I should be adding beside the '&' operator in the brackets of my **** */
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
  • if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
  • found = 1;
  • }
  • else
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • if (found){
  • cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
  • cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");
  • while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){
  • fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
  • }
  • fclose(cfPtr);
  • fclose(cfPtr1);
  • }
  • }
  • /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/
  • /*Main function*/
  • int main (void){
  • FILE *cfPtr;
  • /*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
  • ```
  • > (Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.)
  • > Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?
#1: Initial revision by user avatar dumplings‭ · 2021-12-13T15:29:55Z (almost 3 years ago)
Problems with data structures and filestreams.
So I just started learning how to use file-streams in C & decided to attempt a question which is to do with library management in C, however I am currently encountering some problems and feel like I need some help/advice.

 > Basically, my file name is libraryy.txt, I want to delete a book that I have inserted into my libraryy.txt file. When I **enter the book's title into my compiler's output screen, I am expecting the compiler to read from my file (libraryy.txt) & delete that particular book's title, author & subject**. However when I run my program, it doesn't seem to delete anything from my libraryy.txt file.

```
/*Data structures that the question wants me to use:*/
struct book{
 char *title;
 char *author;
 char *subject;
};

struct library {
    struct book collection;
    int num_books;
    struct library *next;
};

struct library* head;
struct book collection;
struct book *aPtr;
struct library aCollection;
struct library *aaPtr;
```
```
/*Below is my deleteBook function which I'm having a problem with*/
void deleteBook(struct library* thislib){
    //How to define library here?
    FILE *cfPtr, *cfPtr1;
    int j, found=0;
    char stitle[MAX];
    cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "r");
    cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "w");
    printf("Enter book title to delete:\n");
    scanf("%s", stitle);

    /*I'm confused on what I should be */
    while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(struct library),1,cfPtr)){
        if(strcmp(stitle, thislib->collection.title)==0){
            found = 1;
        }
        else
            fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library), 1, cfPtr);
    }
    fclose(cfPtr);
    fclose(cfPtr1);

    if (found){
        cfPtr1 = fopen("temp.txt", "r");
        cfPtr = fopen("libraryy.txt", "w");

        while(fread(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr1)){ //I'm confused on what I should put beside the '&' operator 
            fwrite(&thislib->collection, sizeof(library),1,cfPtr);
        }
        fclose(cfPtr);
        fclose(cfPtr1);
    }
}

 /*Other irrelevant functions which I did not include here like insertBook().....*/

/*Main function*/
int main (void){

   FILE *cfPtr;
/*Didn't include the whole coding to avoid the lengthiness of this question*/
```

  
 > (Regarding the data structures provided that **we have to use as it is a pre-requisite of the question** as shown and defined in the code, I want to add that it seems that the 'library' data structure is supposed to access the 'book' data structure & the elements in it, so that it will allow me to delete the book (& its author, title as well as subject) from the file (libraryy.txt) when I enter the title of the book in my compiler screen.) 


 > Due to the question providing the data structure to me in that way, I am practically confused on how to access one data structure from another data structure, hence I'm not so sure on what to include beside the **'&' operator** in the while loop brackets as shown below for **fread**... is this how you do it, as shown in my code above? Also how do I define my library in the deleteBook() function?