Merge Files , in c++

[bindiK]

I need help immediately to solve the following question:
can somebody suggest how to code the following?

Write functions OpenFiles and MergeAndDisplay:

  OpenFiles syntax:
     ifstream *OpenFiles(char * const fileNames[], size_t count);
  Parameters:
     fileNames - a pointer to the first element in an array representing
                 the names of text files to be opened.  The array has
                 the underlying format:
                     char *fileNames[] = { "fileA", "fileB", etc. };
     count -     the number of elements in <fileNames>
  Synopsis:
     Dynamically creates an array of <count> ifstream objects then uses
     them to open the files named in <fileNames>, in order.  All opens
     are in the read-only text mode.  If any open fails all previously
     opened files are closed, the dynamic allocation is deleted, an
     error message is output to cerr, and the program is terminated with
     an error exit code.  If <count> is zero an error message is output
     to cerr and the program is terminated with an error exit code.
  Return:
     a pointer to the first entry in the ifstream array if <count> is
     non-zero and all opens succeed; otherwise, the function does not
     return.


  MergeAndDisplay syntax:
     void MergeAndDisplay(ifstream files[], size_t count);
  Parameters:
     files -  a pointer to the first element in an array of <count>
              ifstream objects, where each object represents a text
              file open in the text mode for reading.
     count -  the number of elements in the array in <files>
  Synopsis:
     Proceeding in order from the first file specified in <files>, the
     first line in each is read and displayed, followed by the second
     line in each, follow by the third, etc.  When the end of any file
     is reached that file is closed and the process continues using only
     the remaining open files, until all files have finally been closed.
     Empty lines are displayed as empty lines.  Empty files are simply
     closed and ignored.
  Return:
     void

• Specify the file name(s) on the command line.
• Both functions must handle any arbitrary number of files.
• Assume no line will contain more than 511 characters.
• Do not attempt to store the contents of any file.
• Do not attempt to read a file after reaching its EOF.

Please suggest ,its urgent

Thanks,

[Ancient Dragon]

The first OpenFile() should be pretty easy. Use the new operator to allocate menory for an array of ifstream objects, open each of the files, then return the array.

The second function is a little more complicated. You will need a loop to read one line from each file in each loop iteration.

Would I write the program for you? I could, but I won't. You give it a try and post the code you have written, then ask questions about what you do not understand.

[bindiK]

The first OpenFile() should be pretty easy. Use the new operator to allocate menory for an array of ifstream objects, open each of the files, then return the array.

The second function is a little more complicated. You will need a loop to read one line from each file in each loop iteration.

Would I write the program for you? I could, but I won't. You give it a try and post the code you have written, then ask questions about what you do not understand.

Below is my code .just for the open files.Could you please review and suggest for any corrections that are needed to make it working.

ifstream *OpenFiles(char * const fileNames[], size_t count)
{
   char *first, *last, *ptr;
   fileNames[] = new char * const [count];
   int cnt = 0;
   for(first = fileNames, last = &first[count - 1]; first <= last; ++first)
   {
      OpenFiles (first, ios::in);
      cnt++;
      if(!OpenFiles.is_open())
      {
         while(cnt == 0)
         {
         OpenFiles.close();
         delete first;
        	cerr << "Can't open input file " << FILENAME << endl; // If file is not opened,display an error message
		   exit (1);
         --cnt;
         }
       else if( count == 0)
       {
          cerr << "Can't open input file " << FILENAME << endl; // If file is not opened,display an error message
		    exit (1);
       }
       else
       {
         cout<< "Success in opening file " << FILENAME << endl; 	
       }
      }
   }
   return fileNames;
}