Xref: utzoo comp.unix.questions:13144 comp.unix.wizards:15829
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!ucdavis!uop!jeff
From: jeff@uop.edu (Jeff Ferguson)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.wizards
Subject: system() --- the C function from hell?
Keywords: system, unix, question, does anyone use this line?
Message-ID: <1827@uop.edu>
Date: 30 Apr 89 02:52:01 GMT
Organization: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Lines: 42


	Hi kids,

	The system() call seems to wreak havoc with integer variables.
I have the following code:

/****** Code *******/

int lowp, hip;
...
scanf("%d", &hip);
scanf("%d", &lowp);
sprintf(str, "/bin/mkdir directory");
system(str);
...

/**** End Of Code ****/

I printed the values of LOWP and HIP before the system() call, and
everthing was pee-chee (like the folder).  I print them out after
the call and the values have been blown to high Heaven: before they
were both 3, while after system(str) they are in the tens of millions.

OK, people, for $200 and the chance at the Chevy Sprint Turbo --- my
question is this: what is happenning here an how can it be fixed?  I
am stymied.

Although I probably don't sound like it, I would be grateful (but not
dead) for any advice, suggestions, or visions from God.  Thanks, and
please drive safely.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Ferguson                | jeff@uop.edu
Computer Science Department  | uop!jeff@ucdavis.edu
University of the Pacific    | cogent!uop!jeff@pacbell.com
Stockton, California, USA    |
95211                 /^^^\  | "Get me out of this cage!" -- Rael
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