C++ file read and write (plus search or something)

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <math.h>
#include <fstream>
#include <conio.h>

/**
 * This briefly demonstrates writing a file in C++
 * using a console application. It will take in a line
 * text and put that line in a file.
 *
 * Asks how many entries into a text file and asks for
 * some details. There is also something to assign tasks
 * to the 'entered' user. This was an example script for
 * some Coventry University students who had an arbitrary
 * set by some academic to show file handling.
 *
 * @Author:     Shaun B
 * @Version:    1.0.2 - 2013-01-09
 * @Todo:
 *
 **/

int main();
int retrieve();
void clearKeyboardBuffer();
using namespace std;

/**
 * Main entry of example
 * @author Shaun B
 * @version 0.0.1
 */
int main()
{
    string name         = "\0";
    string dob          = "\0";
    string age          = "\0";
    int numberOfPeople  = 0;
    int numberOfTasks   = 0;
    int i               = 0;
    string buffer       = "\0";
    string myTextFile   = "\0";
    ofstream myfile ("tester.txt");

    cout << "Record system v1.0." << endl;
    cout << "How many records would you like to create?" << endl;
    cin >> numberOfPeople;

    if (numberOfPeople>0)
    {
       for (i=0; i<numberOfPeople; i++)
       {
           //clearKeyboardBuffer();
           cout << "Please enter the users name for record: " << i+1 << endl;
           getline(cin, buffer);
           myTextFile.append(buffer);
           myTextFile.append("\n");
           cout << "Please enter their date of birth (DD/MM/YY)" << endl;
           getline(cin, buffer);
           myTextFile.append(buffer);
           myTextFile.append("\n");
           cout << "What is your favourite colour?"<< endl;
           getline(cin, buffer);
           myTextFile.append(buffer);
           myTextFile.append("\n");
           cout << "What is your favourite sport?" << endl;
           getline(cin, buffer);
           myTextFile.append(buffer);
           myTextFile.append("\n");
           cout << "Please enter their age" << endl;
           cin >> age;
           myTextFile.append(age);
           myTextFile.append("\n");
           cout << "How many tasks would you like to set? (Zero for none)" << endl;
           cin >> numberOfTasks;
           if (numberOfTasks>0)
           {
               for (int x = 0; x < numberOfTasks; x++)
               {
                   clearKeyboardBuffer();
                   cout << "Please enter task " << x+1 << endl;
                   getline(cin, buffer);
                   if(!buffer.empty())
                   {
                       myTextFile.append(buffer);
                   }
                   buffer.clear();
                   cout << "Is task number " << x+1 << " a priority task (Y/N)" << endl;
                   cin >> buffer;
                   if(!buffer.substr(0,1).compare("Y") || !buffer.substr(0,1).compare("y"))
                   {
                       myTextFile.append(" !Important");
                   }
                   myTextFile.append("\n");
               }
           }
           else
           {
               cout << "No tasks set for this person." << endl;
           }
           myTextFile.append("!END\n");
       }
    }
    myTextFile.append("\0");
    buffer.clear();
    try
    {
        if(myTextFile.length()>=1)
        {
            cout << "Creating file: tester.txt" << endl;
            myfile << myTextFile;
        }
        myfile.close();
    }
    catch (int e)
    {
        cout << "An exception has occurred in your programme." << endl;
    }
    retrieve();
    return 0;
}

/**
 * Retrieves line from file
 * @author Shaun B
 * @version 0.0.1
 */
int retrieve ()
{
    string line         = "\0";
    string text         = "\0";
    string wholeFile    = "\0";
    string searchInFile = "\0";
    string answer       = "\0";
    bool found          = false;
    int counter         = 0;
    int len             = 0;
    clearKeyboardBuffer();
    ifstream myfile ("tester.txt");
    if (myfile.is_open())
    {
        while ( myfile.good() )
        {
            cout << "What user name do you want to search for?" << endl;
            getline(cin, searchInFile);
            len = searchInFile.length();
            while (getline (myfile,line))
            {
                text.append(line);
                int i = 0;
                while(i+len <= text.length())
                {
                    if (!text.substr(i,i+len).compare(searchInFile))
                    {
                        cout << "User found! " << endl;
                        found = true;
                        cout << "Would you like to view the users details (Y/N)?" << endl;
                        cin >> answer;
                        if(!answer.substr(0,1).compare("Y") || !answer.substr(0,1).compare("y"))
                        {
                            cout << "Details:" << endl;
                            while(text.compare("!END"))
                            {
                                cout << text << endl;
                                text.clear();
                                getline(myfile,line);
                                text.append(line);
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    i++;
                }
                counter++;
                text.clear();
            }
        }
        if (!found)
        {
            cout << "User was not found." << endl;
        }
    }
    else
    {
        cout << "Unable to open file";
        return -1;
    }
    myfile.close();
    return 0;
}

/**
 * clears keyboard buffer
 *
 * @author Shaun B
 * @version 0.0.2
 * @fixed 15-01-2016
 */
void clearKeyboardBuffer()
{
    while (_kbhit())
    {
        _getche();
    }
}