text files manipulation question without MFC

Hi every one
Is there any tutorial, sample code, classes or a book that can show me how can I do some text file manipulation?

What I am really wishing for is to know how can I writ formatted text files, to be used as log file that a user can read, or data aligned in raws and columns.

Also, how can I find one letter or string in a text file than delete it or replace it than write the result to another file? How can I read a letter at time or word at time or line at time?

And how can I divide one text file into sections than use it to store grouped data of the same kind, ex. Address book can store information of different people in one text file. When you click or select any name the app search the text file for the name than find the related information than populate the its Edit Controls.

Best regards.