How to get application file path as string C++

Question

I have a function called "ExePath"

string exepath()
{
char buffer[MAX_PATH];
GetModuleFileName( NULL, buffer, MAX_PATH );
return std::string(buffer);
}

This returns the path of the application. Later, I try to copy the application to another place.

CopyFile(exepath, "C:\\Example\\Example.exe", FALSE);

When compiling I get the following error:

[Error] cannot convert 'std::string' to 'LPCSTR' for argument '1' to 'WINBOOL CopyFileA(LPCSTR, LPCSTR, WINBOOL)'

I take this as it cant use the string as a string. What? Basically I am trying to find the path that the application has been executed and copy it to another place. Any and all help is appreciated.

std::string and LPCSTR are two completely different types. The compiler's error message couldn't be more clear. You should spend some time studying the difference between std::string, a C++ class, and C-style strings, and how to convert between the two. — Sam Varshavchik
– Sam Varshavchik, Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 2:29

jblixr · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-23 02:43:22Z

1

LPCSTR is a Long Pointer to a Const STRing(const char *), string::c_str function will return the corresponding const char * to your string class.

So the first parameter should be as exepath.c_str().

CopyFile(exepath.c_str(), "C:\\Example\\Example.exe", FALSE);

edited Jul 23, 2016 at 2:43

answered Jul 23, 2016 at 2:36

jblixr

1,40716 silver badges34 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to get application file path as string C++

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related