C program to delete a file

The remove() function in C/C++ can be used to delete a file. The function returns 0 if the file is deleted successfully, Otherwise, it returns a non-zero value. The remove() is defined inside the <stdio.h> header file.

Syntax of remove()

remove("filename");

Parameters

This function takes a string as a parameter, which represents the name of the file to be deleted.

Return Value

The function returns 0 if the file is deleted successfully, Otherwise, it returns a non-zero value.

Examples of remove()

Example 1:

The below C program demonstrates the use of remove() function.

C

// C program that demonstrates
// the use of remove() function
#include <stdio.h>
 
int main()
{
    if (remove("abc.txt") == 0)
        printf("Deleted successfully");
    else
        printf("Unable to delete the file");
 
    return 0;
}

Output

If file deleted successfully
Deleted successfully
            OR
If file not deleted successfully
Unable to delete the file

Example 2:

Using remove() function in C, we can write a program that can destroy itself after it is compiled and executed.

C

// C program that can destroyitself
//after it is compiled and executed
//using remove() function.
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
 
int main(int c, char* argv[])
{
    printf("By the time you will compile me I will be "
           "destroyed \n");
 
    // array of pointers to command line arguments
    remove(argv[0]);
 
    // Note: argv[0] will contain the executable file i.e.
    // 'a.out'
 
    return 0;
}
 
// This code is contributed by MAZHAR IMAM KHAN.

Output

By the time you will compile me I will be destroyed

Explanation

Note that, this is done in the Linux environment. The remove function is fed the first parameter in the command line argument i.e. a.out file (executable file) created after compiling. Hence the program will be destroyed.