linux - storing directory size into integer variable using c++ -

below c++ code in trying store size of directory integer variable

char path[60]; char exec[180]; sprintf(path,"%s","/home/directory"); sprintf(exec,"du %s",path); int k; k = system(exec); printf("\n value = %d\n",k); 

and output

 556 /home/directory  value = 0 

it not storing in k

here can store output file using either

sprintf(exec,"du %s" > file.txt,path); sprintf(exec,"du %s >> file.txt",path); 

but again have open file(file.txt) , read data variable.

my question there other alternative store size of directory integer variable kindly suggest me there alternative in advance

as joachim & mats explained, this.

below code reference only!

#include <stdio.h>  const int max_buffer = 2048; char path[60]; char cmd[180]; sprintf(path,"%s","/home/directory"); sprintf(cmd,"du /home/directory",path);  char buffer[max_buffer]; file *stream = popen(cmd, "r"); if (stream) {    while (!feof(stream))    {         if (fgets(buffer, max_buffer, stream) != null)         {            //...         }    }    pclose(stream); }