💻 File Editor (C++)

📌 Overview

This project presents the design and implementation of a command-line file editor written in C++.

The application allows users to open, view, edit, and save files in multiple formats, including hexadecimal, binary, and character representations.

👉 This project demonstrates low-level data manipulation and systems programming using modern C++.

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⚡ Quick Demo

1. Open file → enter 1
2. Enter filename (e.g. test.txt)
3. Display hex → enter 2
4. Display characters → enter 4
5. Exit → enter 10

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⚙️ Features

• 📂 Open and read binary files

• 🔍 Display file content in:

  • Hexadecimal format
  • Binary format
  • Character format

• ✏️ Edit file data:

  • Modify bytes in hex
  • Modify bits in binary
  • Modify characters directly

• 💾 Save modified files

• ⚠️ Error handling for invalid inputs and file operations

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🧠 System Architecture

The application follows a modular design, separating responsibilities across components:

• FileManager → Handles file reading and writing
• Editing → Performs byte-level modifications
• DataDisplay → Displays file content in different formats
• UserInterface → Manages command-line interaction

This structure improves maintainability, scalability, and clarity.

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🧩 Project Structure

file-editor-cpp/
│
├── src/        # Implementation files (.cpp)
├── include/    # Header files (.h)
├── results/    # Screenshots
├── CMakeLists.txt
└── README.md

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▶️ How to Run

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/jessysutherns/file-editor-cpp.git
cd file-editor-cpp

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2. Build using CMake

On Windows (Visual Studio / PowerShell)

mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
cmake --build .

Run:

cd Debug
FileEditor.exe

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On Mac/Linux

mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
make
./FileEditor

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📊 Example Output

CLI Interaction

Hex View Example

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📈 Key Concepts Demonstrated

• File handling using binary streams
• Memory management with std::vector<uint8_t>
• Data representation (hex, binary, ASCII)
• Modular software architecture
• Command-line interface design

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🛠️ Technologies Used

• C++ (C++17)
• CMake
• Standard Template Library (STL)

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🚧 Future Improvements

• Graphical user interface (GUI)
• Undo/redo functionality
• Search and replace features
• Support for large files and performance optimization

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💼 Author

Jessica Sutherns https://github.com/jessysutherns

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⭐ Project Significance

This project highlights fundamental systems programming skills, including:

• Low-level data manipulation
• File system interaction
• Structured software design

It demonstrates the ability to build efficient, modular, and functional C++ applications.