Specify Download Directory

Question

I am learning C and am downloading a GitHub repository through code. This downloads the code to the current working directory (essentially where the C app is executed from). Is there a way to set the download directory?

Meaning always always have the file download to C:\Data\ProdData\

#include <stdlib.h>

int main(void)
{
  return system("git clone https://github.com/manleyManlious22/TestData");

}

Look at `chdir` to change the current working directory: https://www.gnu.org/software/libc/manual/html_node/Working-Directory.html — Joe, Feb 10 '19 at 20:54
Holy smokes, I had no idea it was as easy as chdir. Knowing the command to look for saves plenty of time on google, lol — Doctor Ford, Feb 10 '19 at 20:58

Keldorn · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-10T21:08:00.720

1

You should just add it to your command:

#include <stdlib.h>

int main(void)
{
  return system("git clone https://github.com/manleyManlious22/TestData C:\\Data\\ProdData\\");
}

Also, I'm not on windows so I can't check the path, but it does work on linux.

With the system call, you are running a command as if you were in a terminal. Any command which works in your shell should work there.

edited Feb 10 '19 at 21:08

answered Feb 10 '19 at 20:57

Keldorn

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Does it matter if the directory is empty? – Doctor Ford Feb 10 '19 at 20:58
1

It's probably better if the directory is empty, less risk of overwriting something. – Keldorn Feb 10 '19 at 20:58
Should it be "\\" for the directory to download to? – Doctor Ford Feb 10 '19 at 21:04
I just tested locally, it fails for me if the directory exists and is not empty. It did work if the directory does not exist. – Keldorn Feb 10 '19 at 21:05
Yes, use "\\" for back-slashes in the command, since "\" is an escape character, you need to double it to get it. I updated the answer. – Keldorn Feb 10 '19 at 21:13

Specify Download Directory

1 Answers1