Can iostream be replaced with fstream?

Answer 1

<iostream> includes <istream> and <ostream>.
<fstream> includes <ifstream> and <ofstream>.

As for why an object of iostream can reference an object of fstream, this is because <ifstream> and <ofstream> are derived from <istream> and <ostream> respective, as has been pointed out by Timon Paßlick:

fstream extends iostream.

Now, <iostream> cannot replace <fstream> because a base class does not contain all the members of the derived class.

Similarly, <fstream> cannot replace <iostream> because some members of the base class cannot be invoked by an object of the derived class.

Answer 2

As I know iostream is used for input-output operation. fstream is used for files manipulation. You can use both of them.

Answer 3

Damyan Petkov but in case making a project we use only fstream instead of iostream..

Answer 4

Timon Paßlick yes I did...

Answer 5

Timon Paßlick I am asking that can fstream be used instead of iostream...no using the turbo and online compiler...

Answer 6

Timon Paßlick means its legal to use

Answer 7

//compiles

#include <fstream>
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
std::fstream fs;
std::iostream& ios = fs;
}

Answer 8

Shuvam Lal So you never use the console?

Answer 9

Shuvam Lal But the console works with istreams and ostreams.
Or did you use the old C functions?

Answer 10

fstream extends iostream.

Answer 11

What do you mean with legal?