Pause Console in C++ program

Question

Which is best way to pause the console in C++ programs?

1. using cin.get()
2. or using system("pause")
3. or using C functions like getch() or getchar()?

Is it true that use of system("pause") leads to non portable code and can't work in UNIX?

Is cin.get() is better to use to pause console?

Answer 1

There might be a best way (like using the portable cin.get()), but a good way doesn't exist. A program that has done its job should quit and give its resources back to the computer.

And yes, any usage of system() leads to unportable code, as the parameter is passed to the shell that owns your process.

Having pausing-code in your source code sooner or later causes hassles:

• someone forgets to delete the pausing code before checking in
  • now all working mates have to wonder why the app does not close anymore
  • version history is tainted
• #define is hell
• it's annoying to anyone who runs your code from the console
• it's very, very, very annoying when trying to start and end your program from within a script; quadly annoying if your program is part of a pipeline in the shell, because if the program does not end, the shell script or pipeline won't, too

Instead, explore your IDE. It probably has an option not to close the console window after running. If not, it's a great justification to you as a developer worth her/his money to always have a console window open nearby.

Alternatively, you can make this a program option, but I personally have never seen a program with an option --keep-alive-when-dead.

Moral of the story: This is the user's problem, and not the program's problem. Don't taint your code.