Problems with mapcalc

...
G_system("r.mapcalc < text_file");
...

Such a line is 'ignored'.
There is no standard output from GRASS and no map is generated.
There are no errors in text_file, because it works in GRASS.

        Have you tried specifying the full pathname for 'text_file'.
        r.mapcalc shouldn't need one, I think.
        Also, check the return status of G_system.

        Martin