Linux exec from c++

Question

I am trying to send an email via mail command in linux c++, but execl is causing errors.

How do I send this command with exec?

/bin/echo llol | /usr/bin/mail -s "testt" [email protected]

Thanks.

Here is the code:

void AppConfig::sendEmail(string to, string subject, string body)
{
    stringstream ss;

    ss << "/bin/echo " << body << " | /usr/bin/mail -s \"" << subject << "\" " << to;
    cout << ss.str();
    cout << "rofl";
    errno = 0;
    int ret = execl(ss.str().c_str(), "", (char*) 0);
    cout << "ret=" << ret << " errno=" <<errno;
}

I get errno=2(directory not found).

Can you show us the code and the errors ?

cnicutar
– cnicutar

2011-12-27 23:38:22 +00:00
Commented Dec 27, 2011 at 23:38 — cnicutar
– cnicutar, Commented Dec 27, 2011 at 23:38

Sean · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-27 23:39:58Z

4

You probably want to use system() instead of execl().

system("/bin/echo llol | /usr/bin/mail -s "testt" [email protected]");

answered Dec 27, 2011 at 23:39

Sean

5,5302 gold badges26 silver badges22 bronze badges

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

3 Comments

James Cotter Over a year ago

beast, forgot about system lol...I'll acept ur answer soon as I can.

Sean Over a year ago

If you've used system() before then you probably know you should be wary about the possibility of user input leaking into the call to system(). This can allow users to execute arbitrary code. Using system() carries a great deal of risk but sometimes it's simply the easiest thing to do.

mark4o Over a year ago

If you use system() and any of those strings are controlled by the user or potentially contain characters special to the shell, then you will need to add code to ensure that they are quoted properly.

Bowie Owens · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-27 23:52:10Z

2

Since you want to stream text into the process that you exec you might be better off with popen(). This will eliminate the need for echo and you can just popen() /usr/bin/mail.

http://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/009604499/functions/popen.html

answered Dec 27, 2011 at 23:52

Bowie Owens

3,05627 silver badges23 bronze badges

Comments

Pablo Santa Cruz · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-27 23:40:37Z

0

I guess | only works on shells such as csh, sh or bash. So you would need to enclose those command in a bash script, or do the input/output redirection in C++. I would recommend the former. It's way easier. If you want to use the latter, take a look at pipe command.

answered Dec 27, 2011 at 23:40

Pablo Santa Cruz

182k33 gold badges250 silver badges300 bronze badges

Comments

user1056635 · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-27 23:54:55Z

0

You can also use popen function from C, works very well with C++.

answered Dec 27, 2011 at 23:54

user1056635

7952 gold badges9 silver badges12 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Linux exec from c++

4 Answers 4

3 Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

3 Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related