Getopt

Getopt is a command-line argument parsing library and utility commonly used in Unix-like systems and C/C++ programming. It provides a standardized way to parse command-line options and arguments, handling short options (e.g., -h), long options (e.g., --help), and their associated values. It is widely implemented in various programming languages through libraries or built-in functions, helping developers create user-friendly command-line interfaces.

Also known as: getopt, getopt_long, GNU getopt, command-line argument parser, CLI argument parsing

Why learn Getopt?

Developers should learn Getopt when building command-line tools or scripts that require robust argument handling, such as system utilities, automation scripts, or applications with complex configuration options. It is particularly useful in C/C++ projects on Unix-like platforms, where it ensures compatibility with standard command-line conventions and simplifies error handling for invalid inputs. Use cases include parsing flags, options with values, and positional arguments in a consistent manner.

Learning Resources

• docs: GNU Getopt Manual
• docs: Linux man page for getopt
• tutorial: Tutorial on Getopt in C
• tutorial: Command Line Arguments in C/C++ with Getopt
• video: YouTube: Parsing Command Line Arguments with Getopt