C Basics - C Programming Tutorial

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (HIDE)

1. Introduction to C
C Programming Language 2. Basic Syntaxes

2.1 Revision
2.2 Comments
Basics 2.3 Statements and Blocks

2.4 White Spaces and Formatting
2.5 Preprocessor Directives
3. Variables and Types
3.1 Variables
This chapter explains the features, technical details and syntaxes of the C programming language. I assume that
3.2 Identifiers
you could write some simple programs. Otherwise, read "Introduction to Programming in C for Novices and First-
3.3 Variable Declaration
time Programmers".
3.4 Constants (const)
3.5 Expressions
3.6 Assignment (=)
1. Introduction to C
3.7 Fundamental Types
3.8 Output via printf() Function
C Standards
3.9 Input via scanf() Function
C is standardized as ISO/IEC 9899. 3.10 Literals for Fundamental Type
1. K&R C: Pre-standardized C, based on Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie (K&R) "The C Programming 4. Operations
Language" 1978 book. 4.1 Arithmetic Operators
2. C90 (ISO/IEC 9899:1990 "Programming Languages. C"). Also known as ANSI C 89. 4.2 Arithmetic Expressions
4.3 Mixed-Type Operations
3. C99 (ISO/IEC 9899:1999 "Programming Languages. C")
4.4 Overflow/UnderFlow
4. C11 (ISO/IEC 9899:2011 "Programming Languages. C") 4.5 Compound Assignment Opera
4.6 Increment/Decrement Operato
C Features 4.7 Implicit Type-Conversion vs. Ex
[TODO] 4.8 Relational and Logical Operato
5. Flow Control
C Strength and Pitfall 5.1 Sequential Flow Control
5.2 Conditional (Decision) Flow Co
[TODO]
5.3 Loop Flow Control
5.4 Interrupting Loop Flow - "brea
5.5 Terminating Program
2. Basic Syntaxes 5.6 Nested Loops
5.7 Some Issues in Flow Control
2.1 Revision 5.8 Exercises
6. Writing Correct and Good Progr
Below is a simple C program that illustrates the important programming constructs (sequential flow, while-loop,
7. Arrays
and if-else) and input/output. Read "Introduction to Programming in C for Novices and First-time Programmers"
7.1 Array Declaration and Usage
if you need help in understanding this program.
7.2 Array and Loop
7.3 Multi-Dimensional Array
8. Functions
8.1 Why Functions?
8.2 Using Functions
8.3 Functions and Arrays
8.4 Pass-by-Value vs. Pass-by-Refe
8.5 "const" Function Parameters
8.6 Mathematical Functions (Head
8.7 Generating Random Numbers
8.8 Exercises
9. Characters and Strings
9.1 Character Type and Conversio
9.2 String/Number Conversion in
9.3 String Manipulation in <strin
9.4 char/string IO in <stdio.h> H
10. File Input/Output
10.1 File IO in <stdio.h> Header
10.2 Sequential-Access File
10.3 Direct-Access File IO
11. Pointers and Dynamic Allocatio
11.1 Array and Pointer
11.2 String as char pointer
12. struct, union and enum
https://www3.ntu.edu.sg/home/ehchua/programming/cpp/c1_Basics.html 1/43
13. Miscellaneous
13.1 Bit Operations
13.2 C Library Headers
13.3 Keywords
1 /*
2 * Sum the odd and even numbers, respectively, from 1 to a given upperbound.
3 * Also compute the absolute difference.
4 * (SumOddEven.c)
5 */
6 #include <stdio.h> // Needed to use IO functions
7
8 int main() {
9 int sumOdd = 0; // For accumulating odd numbers, init to 0
10 int sumEven = 0; // For accumulating even numbers, init to 0
11 int upperbound; // Sum from 1 to this upperbound
12 int absDiff; // The absolute difference between the two sums
13
14 // Prompt user for an upperbound
15 printf("Enter the upperbound: ");
16 scanf("%d", &upperbound); // Use %d to read an int
17
18 // Use a while-loop to repeatedly add 1, 2, 3,..., to the upperbound
19 int number = 1;
20 while (number <= upperbound) {
21 if (number % 2 == 0) { // Even number
22 sumEven += number; // Add number into sumEven
23 } else { // Odd number
24 sumOdd += number; // Add number into sumOdd
25 }
26 ++number; // increment number by 1
27 }
28
29 // Compute the absolute difference between the two sums
30 if (sumOdd > sumEven) {
31 absDiff = sumOdd - sumEven;
32 } else {
33 absDiff = sumEven - sumOdd;
34 }
35
36 // Print the results
37 printf("The sum of odd numbers is %d.\n", sumOdd);
38 printf("The sum of even numbers is %d.\n", sumEven);
39 printf("The absolute difference is %d.\n", absDiff);
40
41 return 0;
42 }
Enter the upperbound: 1000

The sum of odd numbers is 250000.
The sum of even numbers is 250500.
The absolute difference is 500.
2.2 Comments
Comments are used to document and explain your codes and program logic. Comments are not programming statements and are ignored by the compiler,
but they VERY IMPORTANT for providing documentation and explanation for others to understand your program (and also for yourself three days later).
There are two kinds of comments in C:

1. Multi-line Comment: begins with a /* and ends with a */, and can span several lines.
2. End-of-line Comment: begins with // and lasts till the end of the current line.
You should use comments liberally to explain and document your codes. During program development, instead of deleting a chunk of statements
permanently, you could comment-out these statements so that you could get them back later, if needed.
2.3 Statements and Blocks

Statement : A programming statement is the smallest independent unit in a program, just like a sentence in the English language. It performs a piece of
programming action. A programming statement must be terminated by a semi-colon (;), just like an English sentence ends with a period. (Why not ends
with a period like an english sentence? This is because period crashes with decimal point - it is hard for the dumb computer to differentiate between period
and decimal point!)
For examples,
// Each of the following lines is a programming statement, which ends with a semi-colon (;)
int number1 = 10;
int number2, number3 = 99;
int product;
product = number1 * number2 * number3;
printf("Hello\n");
Block : A block (or a compound statement) is a group of statements surrounded by braces { }. All the statements inside the block is treated as one unit.
Blocks are used as the body in constructs like function, if-else and loop, which may contain multiple statements but are treated as one unit. There is no need
to put a semi-colon after the closing brace to end a complex statement. Empty block (without any statement) is permitted. For examples,
// Each of the followings is a "complex" statement comprising one or more blocks of statements.
// No terminating semi-colon needed after the closing brace to end the "complex" statement.
// Take note that a "complex" statement is usually written over a few lines for readability.
if (mark >= 50) {
printf("PASS\n");
printf("Well Done!\n");
printf("Keep it Up!\n");
}
if (number == 88) {
printf("Got it\n");
} else {
printf("Try Again\n");
}
i = 1;
while (i < 8) {
printf("%d\n", i);
++i;
}
int main() {
...statements...
}
2.4 White Spaces and Formatting Source Codes

White Spaces : Blank, tab and new-line are collectively called white spaces. C ignores extra white spaces. That is, multiple contiguous white spaces are
treated as a single white space.
You need to use a white space to separate two keywords or tokens, e.g.,
int sum=0; // Need a white space between int and sum

double average; // Need a white space between double and average
average=sum/100.0;
Additional white spaces and extra lines are, however, ignored, e.g.,
// same as above
int sum
= 0 ;
double average ;
average = sum / 100.0;
Formatting Source Codes : As mentioned, extra white spaces are ignored and have no computational significance. However, proper indentation (with
tabs and blanks) and extra empty lines greatly improves the readability of the program, which is extremely important for others (and yourself three days
later) to understand your programs. For example, the following hello-world works, but can you understand the program?
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){printf("Hello, world!\n");return 0;}
Braces : Place the beginning brace at the end of the line, and align the ending brace with the start of the statement.
Indentation : Indent the body of a block by an extra 3 (or 4 spaces), according to its level.
For example,
/*
* Recommended Programming style.
*/
#include <stdio.h>
// blank line to separate sections of codes
int main() { // Place the beginning brace at the end of the current line
// Indent the body by an extra 3 or 4 spaces for each level
int mark = 70;

if (mark >= 50) { // in level-1 block, indent once
printf("You Pass!\n"); // in level-2 block, indent twice
} else {
printf("You Fail!\n");
}
return 0;
} // ending brace aligned with the start of the statement
Most IDEs (such as CodeBlocks, Eclipse and NetBeans) have a command to re-format your source code automatically.
Note: Traditional C-style formatting places the beginning and ending braces on the same column. For example,
/*
* Traditional C-style.
*/
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int mark = 70;
if (mark >= 50) // in level-1 block, indent once
{
printf("You Pass!\n"); // in level-2 block, indent twice
}
else
{
printf("You Fail!\n");
}
return 0;
}
2.5 Preprocessor Directives

C source code is preprocessed before it is compiled into object code (as illustrated).
A preprocessor directive, which begins with a # sign (such as #include, #define), tells the preprocessor to perform a certain action (such as including a
header file, or performing text replacement), before compiling the source code into object code. Preprocessor directives are not programming statements,
and therefore should NOT be terminated with a semi-colon. For example,
#include <stdio.h> // To include the IO library header

#include <math.h> // To include the Math library header
#define PI 3.14159265 // To substitute the term PI with 3.14159265 in this file
// DO NOT terminate preprocessor directive with a semi-colon
In almost all of the C programs, we use #include <stdio.h> to include the input/output stream library header into our program, so as to use the IO
library function to carry out input/output operations (such as printf() and scanf()).
More on preprocessor directives later.
3. Variables and Types
3.1 Variables
Computer programs manipulate (or process) data. A variable is used to store a piece of data for processing. It is called variable because you can change the
value stored.
More precisely, a variable is a named storage location, that stores a value of a particular data type. In other words, a variable has a name, a type and stores a
value.
A variable has a name (or identifier), e.g., radius, area, age, height. The name is needed to uniquely identify each variable, so as to assign a value to
the variable (e.g., radius=1.2), and retrieve the value stored (e.g., area = radius*radius*3.1416).
A variable has a type. Examples of type are,
int: for integers (whole numbers) such as 123 and -456;
double: for floating-point or real numbers such as 3.1416, -55.66, having a decimal point and fractional part.
A variable can store a value of that particular type. It is important to take note that a variable in most programming languages is associated with a type,
and can only store value of the particular type. For example, a int variable can store an integer value such as 123, but NOT real number such as 12.34,
nor texts such as "Hello".
The concept of type was introduced into the early programming languages to simplify interpretation of data made up of 0s and 1s. The type determines
the size and layout of the data, the range of its values, and the set of operations that can be applied.
The following diagram illustrates two types of variables: int and double. An int variable stores an integer (whole number). A double variable stores a real
number.
3.2 Identifiers
An identifier is needed to name a variable (or any other entity such as a function or a class). C imposes the following rules on identifiers:
An identifier is a sequence of characters, of up to a certain length (compiler-dependent, typically 255 characters), comprising uppercase and lowercase
letters (a-z, A-Z), digits (0-9), and underscore "_".
White space (blank, tab, new-line) and other special characters (such as +, -, *, /, @, &, commas, etc.) are not allowed.
An identifier must begin with a letter or underscore. It cannot begin with a digit. Identifiers beginning with an underscore are typically reserved for
system use.
An identifier cannot be a reserved keyword or a reserved literal (e.g.,int, double, if, else, for).
Identifiers are case-sensitive. A rose is NOT a Rose, and is NOT a ROSE.
Caution : Programmers don't use blank character in names. It is either not supported, or will pose you more challenges.
Variable Naming Convention

A variable name is a noun, or a noun phrase made up of several words. The first word is in lowercase, while the remaining words are initial-capitalized, with
no spaces between words. For example, thefontSize, roomNumber, xMax, yMin, xTopLeft and thisIsAVeryLongVariableName. This convention is also
known as camel-case.
Recommendations
1. It is important to choose a name that is self-descriptive and closely reflects the meaning of the variable, e.g., numberOfStudents or numStudents.
2. Do not use meaningless names like a, b, c, d, i, j, k, i1, j99.
3. Avoid single-alphabet names, which is easier to type but often meaningless, unless they are common names like x, y, z for coordinates, i for index.
4. It is perfectly okay to use long names of says 30 characters to make sure that the name accurately reflects its meaning!
5. Use singular and plural nouns prudently to differentiate between singular and plural variables. For example, you may use the variable row to refer to a
single row number and the variable rows to refer to many rows (such as an array of rows - to be discussed later).
3.3 Variable Declaration

To use a variable in your program, you need to first "introduce" it by declaring its name and type, in one of the following syntaxes:
Syntax Example
// Declare a variable of a specified type

type identifier; int option;
// Declare multiple variables of the same type, separated by commas
type identifier-1, identifier-2, ..., identifier-n; double sum, difference, product, quotient;
// Declare a variable and assign an initial value
type identifier = value; int magicNumber = 88;
// Declare multiple variables with initial values
type identifier-1 = value-1, ..., identifier-n = value-n; double sum = 0.0, product = 1.0;
Example,
int mark1; // Declare an int variable called mark1

mark1 = 76; // Use mark1
int mark2; // Declare int variable mark2
mark2 = mark1 + 10; // Use mark2 and mark1
double average; // Declare double variable average
average = (mark1 + mark2) / 2.0; // Use average, mark1 and mark2
int mark1; // Error: Declare twice
mark2 = "Hello"; // Error: Assign value of a different type
Take note that:

In C, you need to declare the name of a variable before it can be used.
C is a "strongly-type" language. A variable takes on a type. Once the type of a variable is declared, it can only store a value belonging to this particular
type. For example, an int variable can hold only integer such as 123, and NOT floating-point number such as -2.17 or text string such as "Hello". The
concept of type was introduced into the early programming languages to simplify interpretation of data made up of 0s and 1s. Knowing the type of a
piece of data greatly simplifies its interpretation and processing.
Each variable can only be declared once.
In C, you can declare a variable anywhere inside the program, as long as it is declared before used. (In C prior to C99, all the variables must be declared
at the beginning of functions.) It is recommended that your declare a variable just before it is first used.
The type of a variable cannot be changed inside the program.
CAUTION: Uninitialized Variables

When a variable is declared, it contains garbage until you assign an initial value. It is important to take note that C does not issue any warning/error if you
use a variable before initialize it - which certainly leads to some unexpected results. For example,
1 #include <stdio.h>
2
3 int main() {
4 int number; // Declared but not initialized
5 printf("%d\n", number); // Used before initialized
6 // No warning/error, BUT unexpected result
7 return 0;
8 }
3.4 Constants (const)

Constants are non-modifiable variables, declared with keyword const. Their values cannot be changed during program execution. Also, const must be
initialized during declaration. For examples:
const double PI = 3.1415926; // Need to initialize
Constant Naming Convention: Use uppercase words, joined with underscore. For example, MIN_VALUE, MAX_SIZE.
3.5 Expressions
An expression is a combination of operators (such as addition '+', subtraction '-', multiplication '*', division '/') and operands (variables or literal values),
that can be evaluated to yield a single value of a certain type. For example,
1 + 2 * 3 // give int 7
int sum, number;

sum + number // evaluated to an int value
double principal, interestRate;

principal * (1 + interestRate) // evaluated to a double value
3.6 Assignment (=)

An assignment statement:
1. assigns a literal value (of the RHS) to a variable (of the LHS); or
2. evaluates an expression (of the RHS) and assign the resultant value to a variable (of the LHS).
The RHS shall be a value; and the LHS shall be a variable (or memory address).
The syntax for assignment statement is:
Syntax Example
// Assign the literal value (of the RHS) to the variable (of the LHS)
variable = literal-value; number = 88;
// Evaluate the expression (RHS) and assign the result to the variable (LHS)
variable = expression; sum = sum + number;
The assignment statement should be interpreted this way: The expression on the right-hand-side (RHS) is first evaluated to produce a resultant value (called
rvalue or right-value). The rvalue is then assigned to the variable on the left-hand-side (LHS) (or lvalue, which is a location that can hold a rvalue). Take note
that you have to first evaluate the RHS, before assigning the resultant value to the LHS. For examples,
number = 8; // Assign literal value of 8 to the variable number

number = number + 1; // Evaluate the expression of number + 1,
// and assign the resultant value back to the variable number
The symbol "=" is known as the assignment operator. The meaning of "=" in programming is different from Mathematics. It denotes assignment instead of
equality. The RHS is a literal value; or an expression that evaluates to a value; while the LHS must be a variable. Note that x = x + 1 is valid (and often
used) in programming. It evaluates x + 1 and assign the resultant value to the variable x. x = x + 1 illegal in Mathematics. While x + y = 1 is allowed in
Mathematics, it is invalid in programming (because the LHS of an assignment statement must be a variable). Some programming languages use symbol
":=", "←", "->", or "→" as the assignment operator to avoid confusion with equality.
3.7 Fundamental Types

Integers: C supports these integer types: char, short, int, long, long long (in C11) in a non-decreasing order of size. The actual size depends on the
implementation. The integers (except char) are signed number (which can hold zero, positive and negative numbers). You could use the keyword unsigned
[char|short|int|long|long long] to declare an unsigned integers (which can hold zero and positive numbers). There are a total 10 types of integers -
signed|unsigned combined with char|short|int|long|long long.
Characters: Characters (e.g., 'a', 'Z', '0', '9') are encoded in ASCII into integers, and kept in type char. For example, character '0' is 48 (decimal) or
30H (hexadecimal); character 'A' is 65 (decimal) or 41H (hexadecimal); character 'a' is 97 (decimal) or 61H (hexadecimal). Take note that the type char can
be interpreted as character in ASCII code, or an 8-bit integer. Unlike int or long, which is signed, char could be signed or unsigned, depending on the
implementation. You can use signed char or unsigned char to explicitly declare signed or unsigned char.
Floating-point Numbers: There are 3 floating point types: float, double and long double, for single, double and long double precision floating
point numbers. float and double are represented as specified by IEEE 754 standard. A float can represent a number between ±1.40239846×10^-45 and
±3.40282347×10^38, approximated. A double can represented a number between ±4.94065645841246544×10^-324 and
±1.79769313486231570×10^308, approximated. Take note that not all real numbers can be represented by float and double, because there are infinite
real numbers. Most of the values are approximated.
The table below shows the typical size, minimum, maximum for the primitive types. Again, take note that the sizes are implementation dependent.
Bytes Minimum Maximum

Categor y Type Description
(Typical) (Typical) (Typical)
Integers int Signed integer (of at least 16 bits) 4 (2) -2147483648 2147483647
(or signed int)
unsigned int Unsigned integer (of at least 16 bits) 4 (2) 0 4294967295
char Character 1
(can be either signed or unsigned depends on
implementation)
signed char Character or signed tiny integer 1 -128 127
(guarantee to be signed)
unsigned char Character or unsigned tiny integer 1 0 255
(guarantee to be unsigned)
short Short signed integer (of at least 16 bits) 2 -32768 32767
(or short int)
(or signed short)
(or signed short int)
unsigned short Unsigned short integer (of at least 16 bits) 2 0 65535
(or unsigned shot int)
long Long signed integer (of at least 32 bits) 4 (8) -2147483648 2147483647
(or long int)
(or signed long)
(or signed long int)
unsigned long Unsigned long integer (of at least 32 bits) 4 (8) 0 same as
(or unsigned long int) above
long long Very long signed integer (of at least 64 bits) 8 -263 263-1
(or long long int)
(or signed long long)
(or signed long long
int)
unsigned long long Unsigned very long integer (of at least 64 bits) 8 0 264-1
(or unsigned long long
int)
Real float Floating-point number, ≈7 digits 4 3.4e38 3.4e-38
Numbers (IEEE 754 single-precision floating point format)
double Double precision floating-point number, ≈15 digits 8 1.7e308 1.7e-308
(IEEE 754 double-precision floating point format)
long double Long double precision floating-point number, ≈19 12 (8)
digits
(IEEE 754 quadruple-precision floating point format)
Wide wchar_t Wide (double-byte) character 2 (4)
Characters
In addition, many C library functions use a type called size_t, which is equivalent (typedef) to a unsigned int, meant for counting, size or length, with 0
and positive integers.
*The sizeof Operator

C provides an unary sizeof operator to get the size of the operand (in bytes). The following program uses sizeof operator to print the size of the
fundamental types.
1 /*
2 * Print Size of Fundamental Types (SizeofTypes.cpp).
3 */
5
6 int main() {
7 printf("sizeof(char) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(char));
8 printf("sizeof(short) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(short));
9 printf("sizeof(int) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(int));
10 printf("sizeof(long) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(long));
11 printf("sizeof(long long) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(long long));
12 printf("sizeof(float) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(float));
13 printf("sizeof(double) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(double));
14 printf("sizeof(long double) is %d bytes.\n", sizeof(long double));
15 return 0;
16 }
sizeof(char) is 1 bytes.
sizeof(short) is 2 bytes.
sizeof(int) is 4 bytes.
sizeof(long) is 4 bytes.
sizeof(long long) is 8 bytes.
sizeof(float) is 4 bytes.
sizeof(double) is 8 bytes.
sizeof(long double) is 12 bytes.
The results may vary among different systems.
*Header <limits.h>
The limits.h header contains information about limits of integer type. For example,
1 /* Test integer limits in <limits.h> header */

3 #include <limits.h> // integer limits
4
5 int main() {
6 printf("int max = %d\n", INT_MAX);
7 printf("int min = %d\n", INT_MIN);
8 printf("unsigned int max = %u\n", UINT_MAX);
9
10 printf("long max = %ld\n", LONG_MAX);
11 printf("long min = %ld\n", LONG_MIN);
12 printf("unsigned long max = %lu\n", ULONG_MAX);
13
14 printf("long long max = %lld\n", LLONG_MAX);
15 printf("long long min = %lld\n", LLONG_MIN);
16 printf("unsigned long long max = %llu\n", ULLONG_MAX);
17
18 printf("Bits in char = %d\n", CHAR_BIT);
19 printf("char max = %d\n", CHAR_MAX);
20 printf("char min = %d\n", CHAR_MIN);
21 printf("signed char max = %d\n", SCHAR_MAX);
22 printf("signed char min = %d\n", SCHAR_MIN);
23 printf("unsigned char max = %u\n", UCHAR_MAX);
24 return 0;
25 }
int max = 2147483647

int min = -2147483648
unsigned int max = 4294967295
long max = 2147483647
long min = -2147483648
unsigned long max = 4294967295
long long max = 9223372036854775807
long long min = -9223372036854775808
unsigned long long max = 18446744073709551615
Bits in char = 8
char max = 127
char min = -128
signed char max = 127
signed char min = -128
unsigned char max = 255
Again, the outputs depend on the system.
The minimum of unsigned integer is always 0. The other constants are SHRT_MAX, SHRT_MIN, USHRT_MAX, LONG_MIN, LONG_MAX, ULONG_MAX. Try inspecting
this header (search for limits.h under your compiler).
*Header <float.h>
Similarly, the float.h header contain information on limits for floating point numbers, such as minimum number of significant digits (FLT_DIG, DBL_DIG,
LDBL_DIG for float, double and long double), number of bits for mantissa (FLT_MANT_DIG, DBL_MANT_DIG, LDBL_MANT_DIG), maximum and minimum
exponent values, etc. Try inspecting this header (search for cfloat under your compiler).
Choosing Types
As a programmer, you need to choose variables and decide on the type of the variables to be used in your programs. Most of the times, the decision is
intuitive. For example, use an integer type for counting and whole number; a floating-point type for number with fractional part, char for a single
character, and boolean for binary outcome.
Rule of Thumb
Use int for integer and double for floating point numbers. Use byte, short, long and float only if you have a good reason to choose that specific
precision.
Use int (or unsigned int) for counting and indexing, NOT floating-point type (float or double). This is because integer type are precise and more
efficient in operations.
Use an integer type if possible. Use a floating-point type only if the number contains a fractional part.
Read my article on "Data Representation" if you wish to understand how the numbers and characters are represented inside the computer memory. In brief,
It is important to take note that char '1' is different from int 1, short 1, float 1.0, double 1.0, and String "1". They are represented differently in
the computer memory, with different precision and interpretation. For example, short 1 is "00000000 00000001", int 1 is "00000000 00000000
00000000 00000001", long long 1 is "00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001", float 1.0 is "0
01111111 0000000 00000000 00000000", double 1.0 is "0 01111111111 0000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000",
char '1' is "00110001".
There is a subtle difference between int 0 and double 0.0.
Furthermore, you MUST know the type of a value before you can interpret a value. For example, this value "00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001"
cannot be interpreted unless you know the type.
*The typedef Statement

Typing "unsigned int" many time can get annoying. The typedef statement can be used to create a new name for an existing type. For example, you can
create a new type called "uint" for "unsigned int" as follow. You should place the typedef immediately after #include. Use typedef with care because
it makes the program hard to read and understand.
typedef unsigned int uint;
Many C compilers define a type called size_t, which is a typedef of unsigned int.
typedef unsigned int size_t;
3.8 Output via printf() Function

C programs use function printf() of library stdio to print output to the console. You need to issue a so-called preprocessor directive "#include
<stdio.h>" to use printf().
To print a string literal such as "Hello, world", simply place it inside the parentheses, as follow:
printf(aStringLiteral);
For example,
printf("Hello, world\n");
Hello, world
_
The \n represents the newline character. Printing a newline advances the cursor (denoted by _ in the above example) to the beginning of next line.
printf(), by default, places the cursor after the printed string, and does not advance the cursor to the next line. For example,
printf("Hello");
printf(", ");
printf("world!");
printf("\n");
printf("Hello\nworld\nagain\n");
Hello, world!
Hello
world
again
_
Formatted Output via printf()
The "f" in printf() stands for "formatted" printing. To do formatted printing, you need to use the following syntax:
printf(formattingString, variable1, variable2, ...)
The formattingString is a string composing of normal texts and conversion specifiers. Normal texts will be printed as they are. A conversion specifier begins
with a percent sign (%), followed by a code to specify the type of variable and format of the output (such as the field width and number of decimal places).
For example, %d denotes an int; %3d for an int with field-width of 3. The conversion specifiers are used as placeholders, which will be substituted by the
variables given after the formatting string in a sequential manner. For example,
1 /*
2 * Test formatted printing for int (TestPrintfInt.c)
3 */
5
6 int main() {
7 int number1 = 12345, number2 = 678;
8 printf("Hello, number1 is %d.\n", number1); // 1 format specifier
9 printf("number1=%d, number2=%d.\n", number1, number2); // 2 format specifiers
10 printf("number1=%8d, number2=%5d.\n", number1, number2); // Set field-widths
11 printf("number1=%08d, number2=%05d.\n", number1, number2); // Pad with zero
12 printf("number1=%-8d, number2=%-5d.\n", number1, number2); // Left-align
13 return 0;
14 }
Hello, number1 is 12345.

number1=12345, number2=678.
number1= 12345, number2= 678.
number1=00012345, number2=00678.
number1=12345 , number2=678 .
Type Conversion Code

The commonly-used type conversion codes are:
Type Type Conversion Code Type & Format

Integers %d (or %i) (signed) int
%u unsigned int
%o int in octal
%x, %X int in hexadecimal (%X uses uppercase A-F)
%hd, %hu short, unsigned short

%ld, %lu long, unsigned long
%lld, %llu long long, unsigned long long

Floating-point %f float in fixed notation
%e, %E float in scientific notation

%g, %G float in fixed/scientific notation depending on its value
%f, %lf (printf), %lf (scanf) double: Use %f or %lf in printf(), but %lf in scanf().
%Lf, %Le, %LE, %Lg, %LG long double
Character %c char
String %s string
Notes:
For double, you must use %lf (for long float) in scanf() (or %le, %lE, %lg, %lG), but you can use either %f or %lf in printf() (or %e, %E, %g, %G, %le,
%lE, %lg, %lG).
Use %% to print a % in the formatting string.
For example,
int anInt = 12345;

float aFloat = 55.6677;
double aDouble = 11.2233;
char aChar = 'a';
char aStr[] = "Hello";
printf("The int is %d.\n", anInt);

//The int is 12345.
printf("The float is %f.\n", aFloat);
//The float is 55.667702.
printf("The double is %lf.\n", aDouble);
//The double is 11.223300.
printf("The char is %c.\n", aChar);
//The char is a.
printf("The string is %s.\n", aStr);
//The string is Hello.
printf("The int (in hex) is %x.\n", anInt);
//The int (in hex) is 3039.
printf("The double (in scientific) is %le.\n", aDouble);
//The double (in scientific) is 1.122330e+01.
printf("The float (in scientific) is %E.\n", aFloat);
//The float (in scientific) is 5.566770E+01.
Using the wrong type conversion code usually produces garbage.
Field Width
You can optionally specify a field-width before the type conversion code, e.g., %3d, %6f, %20s. If the value to be formatted is shorter than the field width, it
will be padded with spaces (by default). Otherwise, the field-width will be ignored. For example,
int number = 123456;

printf("number=%d.\n", number);
// number=123456.
printf("number=%8d.\n", number);
// number= 123456.
printf("number=%3d.\n", number); // Field-width too short. Ignored.
// number=123456.
Precision (Decimal Places) for Floating-point Numbers

For floating-point numbers, you can optionally specify the number of decimal places to be printed, e.g., %6.2f, %8.3f. For example,
double value = 123.14159265;

printf("value=%lf;\n", value);
//value=123.141593;
printf("value=%6.2lf;\n", value);
//value=123.14;
printf("value=%9.4lf;\n", value);
//value= 123.1416;
printf("value=%3.2lf;\n", value); // Field-width too short. Ignored.
//value=123.14;
Alignment
The output are right-aligned by default. You could include a "-" flag (before the field width) to ask for left-aligned. For example,
int i1 = 12345, i2 = 678;

printf("Hello, first int is %d, second int is %5d.\n", i1, i2);
//Hello, first int is 12345, second int is 678.
printf("Hello, first int is %d, second int is %-5d.\n", i1, i2);
//Hello, first int is 12345, second int is 678 .
char msg[] = "Hello";

printf("xx%20sxx\n", msg);
//xx Helloxx
printf("xx%-20sxx\n", msg);
//xxHello xx
Others
+ (plus sign): display plus or minus sign preceding the number.
# or 0: Pad with leading # or 0.
C11's printf_s()/scanf_s()
C11 introduces more secure version of printf()/scanf() called printf_s()/scanf_s() to deal with mismatched conversion specifiers. Microsoft Visual
C implemented its own versions of printf_s()/scanf_s() before C11, and issues a deprecated warning for using printf()/scanf().
3.9 Input via scanf() Function

In C, you can use scanf() function of <stdio.h> to read inputs from keyboard. scanf() uses the type-conversion code like printf(). For example,
1 /*
2 * TestScanf.c
3 */
5
6 int main() {
7 int anInt;
8 float aFloat;
9 double aDouble;
10
11 printf("Enter an int: "); // Prompting message
12 scanf("%d", &anInt); // Read an int from keyboard and assign to variable anInt.
13 printf("The value entered is %d.\n", anInt);
14
15 printf("Enter a floating-point number: "); // Prompting message
16 scanf("%f", &aFloat); // Read a double from keyboard and assign to variable aFloat.
17 printf("The value entered is %f.\n", aFloat);
18
19 printf("Enter a floating-point number: "); // Prompting message
20 scanf("%lf", &aDouble); // Read a double from keyboard and assign to variable aDouble.
21 printf("The value entered is %lf.\n", aDouble);
22
23 return 0;
24 }
Notes:
To place the input into a variable in scanf(), you need to prefix the variable name by an ampersand sign (&). The ampersand (&) is called address-of
operator, which will be explained later. However, it is important to stress that missing ampersand (&) is a common error.
For double, you must use type conversion code %lf for scanf(). You could use %f or %lf for printf().
Return-Value for scanf()

The scanf() returns an int indicating the number of values read.
For example,
int number1 = 55, number2 = 66;

int rcode = scanf("%d", &number);
printf("return code is %d\n", rcode);
printf("number1 is %d\n", number1);
The scanf() returns 1 if user enters an integer which is read into the variable number. It returns 0 if user enters a non-integer (such as "hello"), and variable
number is not assigned.
int number1 = 55, number2 = 66;

int rcode = scanf("%d%d", &number1, &number2);
printf("return code is %d\n", rcode);
The scanf() returns 2 if user enters two integers that are read into number1 and number2. It returns 1 if user enters an integer followed by a non-integer,
and number2 will not be affected. It returns 0 if user enters a non-integer, and both number1 and number2 will not be affected.
Checking the return code of scanf() is recommended for secure coding.
3.10 Literals for Fundamental Types and String

A literal is a specific constant value, such as 123, -456, 3.14, 'a', "Hello", that can be assigned directly to a variable; or used as part of an expression. They
are called literals because they literally and explicitly identify their values.
Integer Literals
A whole number, such as 123 and -456, is treated as an int, by default. For example,
int number = -123;

int sum = 4567;
int bigSum = 8234567890; // ERROR: this value is outside the range of int
An int literal may precede with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign, followed by digits. No commas or special symbols (e.g., $ or space) is allowed (e.g., 1,234 and
$123 are invalid). No preceding 0 is allowed too (e.g., 007 is invalid).
Besides the default base 10 integers, you can use a prefix '0' (zero) to denote a value in octal, prefix '0x' for a value in hexadecimal, and prefix '0b' for
binary value (in some compilers), e.g.,
int number1 = 1234; // Decimal

int number2 = 01234; // Octal 1234, Decimal 2322
int number3 = 0x1abc; // hexadecimal 1ABC, decimal 15274
int number4 = 0b10001001; // binary (may not work in some compilers)
A long literal is identified by a suffix 'L' or 'l' (avoid lowercase, which can be confused with the number one). A long long int is identified by a suffix
'LL'. You can also use suffix 'U' for unsigned int, 'UL' for unsigned long, and 'ULL' for unsigned long long int. For example,
long number = 12345678L; // Suffix 'L' for long

long sum = 123; // int 123 auto-casts to long 123L
long long bigNumber = 987654321LL; // Need suffix 'LL' for long long int
No suffix is needed for short literals. But you can only use integer values in the permitted range. For example,
short smallNumber = 1234567890; // ERROR: this value is outside the range of short.
short midSizeNumber = -12345;
Floating-point Literals
A number with a decimal point, such as 55.66 and -33.44, is treated as a double, by default. You can also express them in scientific notation, e.g., 1.2e3,
-5.5E-6, where e or E denotes the exponent in power of 10. You could precede the fractional part or exponent with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign. Exponent
shall be an integer. There should be no space or other characters (e.g., space) in the number.
You MUST use a suffix of 'f' or 'F' for float literals, e.g., -1.2345F. For example,
float average = 55.66; // Error! RHS is a double. Need suffix 'f' for float.
float average = 55.66f;
Use suffix 'L' (or 'l') for long double.
Character Literals and Escape Sequences

A printable char literal is written by enclosing the character with a pair of single quotes, e.g., 'z', '$', and '9'. In C, characters are represented using 8-bit
ASCII code, and can be treated as a 8-bit signed integers in arithmetic operations. In other words, char and 8-bit signed integer are interchangeable. You
can also assign an integer in the range of [-128, 127] to a char variable; and [0, 255] to an unsigned char.
You can find the ASCII code table HERE.
For example,
char letter = 'a'; // Same as 97

char anotherLetter = 98; // Same as the letter 'b'
printf("%c\n", letter); // 'a' printed
printf("%c\n", anotherLetter); // 'b' printed instead of the number
anotherLetter += 2; // 100 or 'd'
printf("%c\n", anotherLetter); // 'd' printed
printf("%d\n", anotherLetter); // 100 printed
Non-printable and control characters can be represented by so-called escape sequences, which begins with a back-slash (\) followed by a code. The
commonly-used escape sequences are:
Escape Hex
Description
Sequence (Decimal)
\n New-line (or Line-feed) 0AH (10D)
\r Carriage-return 0DH (13D)
\t Tab 09H (9D)
\" Double-quote (needed to include " in double- 22H (34D)
quoted string)
\' Single-quote 27H (39D)
\\ Back-slash (to resolve ambiguity) 5CH (92D)
Notes:
New-line (0AH) and carriage return (0dH), represented by \n, and \r respectively, are used as line delimiter (or end-of-line, or EOL). However, take note
that UNIX/Linux/Mac use \n as EOL, Windows use \r\n.
Horizontal Tab (09H) is represented as \t.

To resolve ambiguity, characters back-slash (\), single-quote (') and double-quote (") are represented using escape sequences \\, \' and \",
respectively. This is because a single back-slash begins an escape sequence, while single-quotes and double-quotes are used to enclose character and
string.
Other less commonly-used escape sequences are: \? or ?, \a for alert or bell, \b for backspace, \f for form-feed, \v for vertical tab. These may not be
supported in some consoles.
The <ctype.h> Header

The ctype.h header provides functions such as isalpha(), isdigit(), isspace(), ispunct(), isalnum(), isupper(), islower() to determine the type
of character; and toupper(), tolower() for case conversion.
String Literals
A String literal is composed of zero of more characters surrounded by a pair of double quotes, e.g., "Hello, world!", "The sum is ", "".
String literals may contains escape sequences. Inside a String, you need to use \" for double-quote to distinguish it from the ending double-quote, e.g.
"\"quoted\"". Single quote inside a String does not require escape sequence. For example,
printf("Use \\\" to place\n a \" within\ta\tstring\n");
Use \" to place

a " within a string
TRY: Write a program to print the following picture. Take note that you need to use escape sequences to print special characters.
'__'
(oo)
+========\/
/ || %%% ||
* ||-----||
"" ""
Example (Literals)
1 /* Testing Primitive Types (TestLiteral.c) */
3
4 int main() {
5 char gender = 'm'; // char is single-quoted
6 unsigned short numChildren = 8; // [0, 255]
7 short yearOfBirth = 1945; // [-32767, 32768]
8 unsigned int salary = 88000; // [0, 4294967295]
9 double weight = 88.88; // With fractional part
10 float gpa = 3.88f; // Need suffix 'f' for float
11
12 printf("Gender is %c.\n", gender);
13 printf("Number of children is %u.\n", numChildren);
14 printf("Year of birth is %d.\n", yearOfBirth);
15 printf("Salary is %u.\n", salary);
16 printf("Weight is %.2lf.\n", weight);
17 printf("GPA is %.2f.\n", gpa);
18 return 0;
19 }
Gender is m.
Number of children is 8.
Year of birth is 1945.
Salary is 88000.
Weight is 88.88.
GPA is 3.88.
4. Operations
4.1 Arithmetic Operators

C supports the following arithmetic operators for numbers: short, int, long, long long, char (treated as 8-bit signed integer), unsigned short,
unsigned int, unsigned long, unsigned long long, unsigned char, float, double and long double.
Operator Description Usage Examples

* Multiplication expr1 * expr2 2 * 3 → 6; 3.3 * 1.0 → 3.3
/ Division expr1 / expr2 1 / 2 → 0; 1.0 / 2.0 → 0.5
% Remainder (Modulus) expr1 % expr2 5 % 2 → 1; -5 % 2 → -1
+ Addition expr1 + expr2 1 + 2 → 3; 1.1 + 2.2 → 3.3
- Subtraction expr1 - expr2 1 - 2 → -1; 1.1 - 2.2 → -1.1
All the above operators are binary operators, i.e., they take two operands. The multiplication, division and remainder take precedence over addition and
subtraction. Within the same precedence level (e.g., addition and subtraction), the expression is evaluated from left to right. For example, 1+2+3-4 is
evaluated as ((1+2)+3)-4.
It is important to take note that int/int produces an int, with the result truncated, e.g., 1/2 → 0 (instead of 0.5).
Take note that C does not have an exponent (power) operator ('^' is exclusive-or, not exponent).
4.2 Arithmetic Expressions

In programming, the following arithmetic expression:
must be written as (1+2*a)/3 + (4*(b+c)*(5-d-e))/f - 6*(7/g+h). You cannot omit the multiplication symbol '*' (as in Mathematics).
Like Mathematics, the multiplication '*' and division '/' take precedence over addition '+' and subtraction '-'. Parentheses () have higher precedence.
The operators '+', '-', '*', and '/' are left-associative. That is, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 is treated as (((1+2) + 3) + 4).
4.3 Mixed-Type Operations

If both the operands of an arithmetic operation belong to the same type, the operation is carried out in that type, and the result belongs to that type. For
example, int/int → int; double/double → double.
However, if the two operands belong to different types, the compiler promotes the value of the smaller type to the larger type (known as implicit type-
casting). The operation is then carried out in the larger type. For example, int/double → double/double → double. Hence, 1/2 → 0, 1.0/2.0 → 0.5,
1.0/2 → 0.5, 1/2.0 → 0.5.
For example,
Type Example Operation

int 2 + 3 int 2 + int 3 → int 5
double 2.2 + 3.3 double 2.2 + double 3.3 → double 5.5
mix 2 + 3.3 int 2 + double 3.3 → double 2.0 + double 3.3 → double 5.3
Type Example Operation

int 1 / 2 int 1 / int 2 → int 0
double 1.0 / 2.0 double 1.0 / double 2.0 → double 0.5
mix 1 / 2.0 int 1 / double 2.0 → double 1.0 / double 2.0 → double 0.5
Example
1 /* Testing mix-type arithmetic operations (TestMixTypeOp.c) */
3
4 int main() {
5 int i1 = 2, i2 = 4;
6 double d1 = 2.5, d2 = 5.2;
7
8 printf("%d + %d = %d\n", i1, i2, i1+i2); // 2 + 4 = 6
9 printf("%.1lf + %.1lf = %.1lf\n", d1, d2, d1+d2); // 2.5 + 5.2 = 7.7
10 printf("%d + %.1lf = %.1lf\n", i1, d2, i1+d2); // 2 + 5.2 = 7.2 <== mix type
11
12 printf("%d / %d = %d\n", i1, i2, i1/i2); // 2 / 4 = 0 <== NOTE: truncate
13 printf("%.1lf / %.1lf = %.2lf\n", d1, d2, d1/d2); // 2.5 / 5.2 = 0.48
14 printf("%d / %.1lf = %.2lf\n", i1, d2, i1/d2); // 2 / 5.2 = 0.38 <== mix type
15 return 0;
16 }
4.4 Overflow/UnderFlow
Study the output of the following program:
1 /* Test Arithmetic Overflow/Underflow (TestOverflow.c) */

3
4 int main() {
5 // Range of int is [-2147483648, 2147483647]
6 int i1 = 2147483647; // max int
7 printf("%d\n", i1 + 1); // -2147483648 (overflow)
8 printf("%d\n", i1 + 2); // -2147483647
9 printf("%d\n", i1 * i1); // 1
10
11 int i2 = -2147483648; // min int
12 printf("%d\n", i2 - 1); // 2147483647 (underflow)
13 printf("%d\n", i2 - 2); // 2147483646
14 printf("%d\n", i2 * i2); // 0
15 return 0;
16 }
In arithmetic operations, the resultant value wraps around if it exceeds its range (i.e., overflow or underflow). C runtime does not issue an error/warning
message but produces incorrect result.
It is important to take note that checking of overflow/underflow is the programmer's responsibility, i.e., your job!
This feature is an legacy design, where processors were slow. Checking for overflow/underflow consumes computation power and reduces performance.
To check for arithmetic overflow (known as secure coding) is tedious. Google for "INT32-C. Ensure that operations on signed integers do not result in
overflow" @ www.securecoding.cert.org.
4.5 Compound Assignment Operators

Besides the usual simple assignment operator '=' described earlier, C also provides the so-called compound assignment operators as listed:
Operator Usage Description Example

= var = expr Assign the value of the LHS to the variable at the RHS x = 5;
+= var += expr same as var = var + expr x += 5; same as x = x + 5
-= var -= expr same as var = var - expr x -= 5; same as x = x - 5
*= var *= expr same as var = var * expr x *= 5; same as x = x * 5
/= var /= expr same as var = var / expr x /= 5; same as x = x / 5
%= var %= expr same as var = var % expr x %= 5; same as x = x % 5
4.6 Increment/Decrement Operators

C supports these unary arithmetic operators: increment '++' and decrement '--'.
Operator Example Result

++ x++; ++x Increment by 1, same as x += 1
-- x--; --x Decrement by 1, same as x -= 1
Example
1 /* Test on increment (++) and decrement (--) Operator (TestIncDec.cpp) */
3
4 int main() {
5 int mark = 76; // declare & assign
6 printf("%d\n", mark); // 76
7
8 mark++; // increase by 1 (post-increment)
10
11 ++mark; // increase by 1 (pre-increment)
13
14 mark = mark + 1; // also increase by 1 (or mark += 1)
16
17 mark--; // decrease by 1 (post-decrement)
19
20 --mark; // decrease by 1 (pre-decrement)
22
23 mark = mark - 1; // also decrease by 1 (or mark -= 1)
25 return 0;
26 }
The increment/decrement unary operator can be placed before the operand (prefix operator), or after the operands (postfix operator). They take on
different meaning in operations.
Operator Description Example Result

++var Pre-Increment y = ++x; same as x=x+1; y=x;
Increment var, then use the new value of var
var++ Post-Increment y = x++; same as oldX=x; x=x+1;
Use the old value of var, then increment y=oldX;
var
--var Pre-Decrement y = --x; same as x=x-1; y=x;
var-- Post-Decrement y = x--; same as oldX=x; x=x-1;
y=oldX;
If '++' or '--' involves another operation, then pre- or post-order is important to specify the order of the two operations. For examples,
x = 5;
printf("%d\n", x++); // Save x (5); Increment x (=6); Print old x (5).
x = 5;
printf("%d\n", ++x); // Increment x (=6); Print x (6).
// This is confusing! Try to avoid! What is i=++i? What is i=i++?
Prefix operator (e.g, ++i) could be more efficient than postfix operator (e.g., i++) in some situations.
4.7 Implicit Type-Conversion vs. Explicit Type-Casting

Converting a value from one type to another type is called type casting (or type conversion). There are two kinds of type casting:
1. Implicit type-conversion performed by the compiler automatically, and
2. Explicit type-casting via an unary type-casting operator in the form of (new-type)operand.
Implicit (Automatic) Type Conversion

When you assign a value of a fundamental (built-in) type to a variable of another fundamental type, C automatically converts the value to the receiving
type, if the two types are compatible. For examples,
If you assign an int value to a double variable, the compiler automatically casts the int value to a double double (e.g., from 1 to 1.0) and assigns it to
the double variable.
if you assign a double value of to an int variable, the compiler automatically casts the double value to an int value (e.g., from 1.2 to 1) and assigns it
to the int variable. The fractional part would be truncated and lost. Some compilers issue a warning/error "possible loss in precision"; others do not.
1 /*
2 * Test implicit type casting (TestImplicitTypeCast.c)
3 */
5
6 int main() {
7 int i;
8 double d;
9
10 i = 3;
11 d = i; // Assign an int value to double
12 printf("d = %lf\n", d); // d = 3.0
13
14 d = 5.5;
15 i = d; // Assign a double value to int
16 printf("i = %d\n", i); // i = 5 (truncated, no warning!)
17
18 i = 6.6; // Assign a double literal to int
19 printf("i = %d\n", i); // i = 6 (truncated, no warning!)
20 }
C will not perform automatic type conversion, if the two types are not compatible.
Explicit Type-Casting
You can explicitly perform type-casting via the so-called unary type-casting operator in the form of (new-type)operand. The type-casting operator takes
one operand in the particular type, and returns an equivalent value in the new type. Take note that it is an operation that yields a resultant value, similar to
an addition operation although addition involves two operands. For example,
printf("%lf\n", (double)5); // int 5 -> double 5.0

printf("%d\n", (int)5.5); // double 5.5 -> int 5
double aDouble = 5.6;

int anInt = (int)aDouble; // return 5 and assign to anInt. aDouble does not change!
Example: Suppose that you want to find the average (in double) of the integers between 1 and 100. Study the following codes:
1 /*
2 * Testing Explicit Type Cast (Average1to100.c).
3 */
5
6 int main() {
7 int sum = 0;
8 double average;
9 int number = 1;
10 while (number <= 100) {
11 sum += number; // Final sum is int 5050
12 ++number;
13 }
14 average = sum / 100; // Won't work (average = 50.0 instead of 50.5)
15 printf("Average is %lf\n", average); // Average is 50.0
16 return 0;
17 }
You don't get the fractional part although the average is a double. This is because both the sum and 100 are int. The result of division is an int, which is
then implicitly casted to double and assign to the double variable average. To get the correct answer, you can do either:
average = (double)sum / 100; // Cast sum from int to double before division
average = sum / (double)100; // Cast 100 from int to double before division
average = sum / 100.0;
average = (double)(sum / 100); // Won't work. why?
Example:
1 /*
2 * Converting between Celsius and Fahrenheit (ConvertTemperature.c)
3 * Celsius = (5/9)(FahrenheitɃ32)
4 * Fahrenheit = (9/5)Celsius+32
5 */
7
8 int main() {
9 double celsius, fahrenheit;
10
11 printf("Enter the temperature in celsius: ");
12 scanf("%lf", &celsius);
13 fahrenheit = celsius * 9 / 5 + 32;
14 // 9/5*celsius + 32 gives wrong answer! Why?
15 printf("%.2lf degree C is %.2lf degree F\n", celsius, fahrenheit);
16
17 printf("Enter the temperature in fahrenheit: ");
18 scanf("%lf", &fahrenheit);
19 celsius = (fahrenheit - 32) * 5 / 9;
20 // 5/9*(fahrenheit - 32) gives wrong answer! Why?
21 printf("%.2lf degree F is %.2lf degree C\n", fahrenheit, celsius);
22 return 0;
23 }
4.8 Relational and Logical Operators

Very often, you need to compare two values before deciding on the action to be taken, e.g., if mark is more than or equal to 50, print "PASS".
C provides six comparison operators (or relational operators):
Operator Description Usage Example (x=5, y=8)

== Equal to expr1 == expr2 (x == y) → false
!= Not Equal to expr1 != expr2 (x != y) → true
> Greater than expr1 > expr2 (x > y) → false
>= Greater than or equal to expr1 >= expr2 (x >= 5) → true
< Less than expr1 < expr2 (y < 8) → false
<= Less than or equal to expr1 >= expr2 (y <= 8) → true
Each comparison operation involves two operands, e.g., x <= 100. It is invalid to write 1 < x < 100 in programming. Instead, you need to break out the
two comparison operations x > 1, x < 100, and join with with a logical AND operator, i.e., (x > 1) && (x < 100), where && denotes AND operator.
C provides four logical operators:
Operator Description Usage

&& Logical AND expr1 && expr2
|| Logical OR expr1 || expr2
! Logical NOT !expr
^ Logical XOR expr1 ^ expr2
The truth tables are as follows:
AND (&&) true false
true true false

false false false
OR (||) true false
true true true

false true false
NOT (!) true false
false true
XOR (^) true false
true false true

false true false
Example:
// Return true if x is between 0 and 100 (inclusive)

(x >= 0) && (x <= 100)
// wrong to use 0 <= x <= 100
// Return true if x is outside 0 and 100 (inclusive)

(x < 0) || (x > 100) //or
!((x >= 0) && (x <= 100))
// Return true if year is a leap year

// A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4 but not by 100, or it is divisible by 400.
((year % 4 == 0) && (year % 100 != 0)) || (year % 400 == 0)
Exercise: Given the year, month (1-12), and day (1-31), write a boolean expression which returns true for dates before October 15, 1582 (Gregorian
calendar cut over date).
Ans: (year < 1582) || (year == 1582 && month < 10) || (year == 1582 && month == 10 && day < 15)
5. Flow Control
There are three basic flow control constructs - sequential, conditional (or decision), and loop (or iteration), as illustrated below.
5.1 Sequential Flow Control

A program is a sequence of instructions. Sequential flow is the most common and straight-forward, where programming statements are executed in the
order that they are written - from top to bottom in a sequential manner.
5.2 Conditional (Decision) Flow Control

There are a few types of conditionals, if-then, if-then-else, nested-if (if-elseif-elseif-...-else), switch-case, and conditional expression.
Syntax Example Flowchart
// if-then if (mark >= 50) {

if ( booleanExpression ) { printf("Congratulation!\n");
true-block ; printf("Keep it up!\n");
} }
// if-then-else if (mark >= 50) {

if ( booleanExpression ) { printf("Congratulation!\n");
true-block ; printf("Keep it up!\n");
} else { } else {
false-block ; printf("Try Harder!\n");
} }
// nested-if if (mark >= 80) {

if ( booleanExpr-1 ) { printf("A\n");
block-1 ; } else if (mark >= 70) {
} else if ( booleanExpr-2 ) { printf("B\n");
} else if ( booleanExpr-3 ) { printf("C\n");
} else if ( booleanExpr-4 ) { printf("D\n");
...... } else {
} else { printf("F\n");
elseBlock ; }
}
// switch-case char oper; int num1, num2, result;

switch ( selector ) { ......
case value-1: switch (oper) {
block-1; break; case '+':
case value-2: result = num1 + num2; break;
block-2; break; case '-':
case value-3: result = num1 - num2; break;
block-3; break; case '*':
...... result = num1 * num2; break;
case value-n: case '/':
block-n; break; result = num1 / num2; break;
default: default:
default-block; printf("Unknown operator\n");
} }
"switch-case" is an alternative to the "nested-if". In a switch-case statement, a break statement is needed for each of the cases. If break is missing,
execution will flow through the following case. You can use either an int or char variable as the case-selector.
Conditional Operator : A conditional operator is a ternary (3-operand) operator, in the form of booleanExpr ? trueExpr : falseExpr. Depending
on the booleanExpr, it evaluates and returns the value of trueExpr or falseExpr.
Syntax Example
booleanExpr ? trueExpr : falseExpr printf("%s\n", (mark >= 50) ? "PASS" : "FAIL");

// print either "PASS" or "FAIL"
max = (a > b) ? a : b; // RHS returns a or b
abs = (a > 0) ? a : -a; // RHS returns a or -a
Braces: You could omit the braces { }, if there is only one statement inside the block. For example,
if (mark >= 50)

printf("PASS\n"); // Only one statement, can omit { } but not recommended
else { // more than one statements, need { }
printf("FAIL\n");
printf("Try Harder!\n");
}
However, I recommend that you keep the braces, even though there is only one statement in the block, to improve the readability of your program.
Exercises
[TODO]
5.3 Loop Flow Control

Again, there are a few types of loops: for-loop, while-do, and do-while.
Syntax Example Flowchart
// for-loop // Sum from 1 to 1000

for (init; test; post-proc) { int sum = 0, number;
body ; for (number = 1; number <= 1000; ++number) {
} sum += number;
}
// while-do int sum = 0, number = 1;

while ( condition ) { while (number <= 1000) {
body ; sum += number;
} ++number;
}
// do-while int sum = 0, number = 1;

do { do {
body ; sum += number;
} ++number;
while ( condition ) ; } while (number <= 1000);
The difference between while-do and do-while lies in the order of the body and condition. In while-do, the condition is tested first. The body will be executed
if the condition is true and the process repeats. In do-while, the body is executed and then the condition is tested. Take note that the body of do-while will be
executed at least once (vs. possibly zero for while-do).
Suppose that your program prompts user for a number between 1 to 10, and checks for valid input, do-while with a boolean flag could be more
appropriate.
// Input with validity check

bool valid = false;
int number;
do {
// prompt user to enter an int between 1 and 10
......
// if the number entered is valid, set done to exit the loop
if (number >=1 && number <= 10) {
valid = true;
}
} while (!valid); // Need a semi-colon to terminate do-while
Below is an example of using while-do:
// Game loop
bool gameOver = false;
while (!gameOver) {
// play the game
......
// Update the game state
// Set gameOver to true if appropriate to exit the game loop
......
}
Example (Counter-Controlled Loop): Prompt user for an upperbound. Sum the integers from 1 to a given upperbound and compute its average.
1 /*
2 * Sum from 1 to a given upperbound and compute their average (SumNumbers.c)
3 */
5
6 int main() {
7 int sum = 0; // Store the accumulated sum
8 int upperbound;
9
11 scanf("%d", &upperbound);
12
13 // Sum from 1 to the upperbound
14 int number;
15 for (number = 1; number <= upperbound; ++number) {
16 sum += number;
17 }
18 printf("Sum is %d\n", sum);
19 printf("Average is %.2lf\n", (double)sum / upperbound);
20
21 // Sum only the odd numbers
22 int count = 0; // counts of odd numbers
23 sum = 0; // reset sum
24 for (number = 1; number <= upperbound; number = number + 2) {
25 ++count;
26 sum += number;
27 }
28 printf("Sum of odd numbers is %d\n", sum);
29 printf("Average is %.2lf\n", (double)sum / count);
30 }
Example (Sentinel-Controlled Loop): Prompt user for positive integers, and display the count, maximum, minimum and average. Terminate when
user enters -1.
1 /* Prompt user for positive integers and display the count, maximum,
2 minimum and average. Terminate the input with -1 (StatNumbers.c) */
4 #include <limits.h> // for INT_MAX
5
6 int main() {
7 int numberIn = 0; // input number (positive integer)
8 int count = 0; // count of inputs, init to 0
9 int sum = 0; // sum of inputs, init to 0
10 int max = 0; // max of inputs, init to minimum
11 int min = INT_MAX; // min of inputs, init to maximum (need <climits>)
12 int sentinel = -1; // Input terminating value
13
14 // Read Inputs until sentinel encountered
15 printf("Enter a positive integer or %d to exit: ", sentinel);
16 scanf("%d", &numberIn);
17 while (numberIn != sentinel) {
18 // Check input for positive integer
19 if (numberIn > 0) {
20 ++count;
21 sum += numberIn;
22 if (max < numberIn) max = numberIn;
23 if (min > numberIn) min = numberIn;
24 } else {
25 printf("error: input must be positive! try again...\n");
26 }
27 printf("Enter a positive integer or %d to exit: ", sentinel);
28 scanf("%d", &numberIn);
29 }
30
31 // Print result
32 printf("\n");
33 printf("Count is %d\n", count);
34 if (count > 0) {
35 printf("Maximum is %d\n", max);
36 printf("Minimum is %d\n", min);
37 printf("Average is %.2lf\n", (double)sum / count);
38 }
39 }
Program Notes
In computing, a sentinel value is a special value that indicates the end of data (e.g., a negative value to end a sequence of positive value, end-of-file, null
character in the null-terminated string). In this example, we use -1 as the sentinel value to indicate the end of inputs, which is a sequence of positive
integers. Instead of hardcoding the value of -1, we use a variable called sentinel for flexibility and ease-of-maintenance.
Take note of the while-loop pattern in reading the inputs. In this pattern, you need to repeat the prompting and input statement.
Exercises
[TODO]
5.4 Interrupting Loop Flow - "break" and "continue"

The break statement breaks out and exits the current (innermost) loop.
The continue statement aborts the current iteration and continue to the next iteration of the current (innermost) loop.
break and continue are poor structures as they are hard to read and hard to follow. Use them only if absolutely necessary. You can always write the same
program without using break and continue.
Example (break): The following program lists the non-prime numbers between 2 and an upperbound.
1 /*
2 * List non-prime from 1 to an upperbound (NonPrimeList.c).
3 */
5 #include <math.h>
6
7 int main() {
8 int upperbound, number, maxFactor, factor;
12 // Not a prime, if there is a factor between 2 and sqrt(number)
13 maxFactor = (int)sqrt(number);
14 for (factor = 2; factor <= maxFactor; ++factor) {
15 if (number % factor == 0) { // Factor?
16 printf("%d ", number);
17 break; // A factor found, no need to search for more factors
18 }
19 }
20 }
21 printf("\n");
22 return 0;
23 }
Let's rewrite the above program without using break statement. A while loop is used (which is controlled by the boolean flag) instead of for loop with
break.
1 /*
2 * List primes from 1 to an upperbound (PrimeList.c).
3 */
5 #include <math.h>
6
7 int main() {
8 int upperbound, number, maxFactor, isPrime, factor;
11
13 // Not prime, if there is a factor between 2 and sqrt of number
14 maxFactor = (int)sqrt(number);
15 isPrime = 1;
16 factor = 2;
17 while (isPrime && factor <= maxFactor) {
18 if (number % factor == 0) { // Factor of number?
19 isPrime = 0;
20 }
21 ++factor;
22 }
23 if (isPrime) printf("%d ", number);
24 }
25 printf("\n");
26 return 0;
27 }
Example (continue):
// Sum 1 to upperbound, exclude 11, 22, 33,...

int upperbound = 100;
int sum = 0;
int number;
for (number = 1; number <= upperbound; ++number) {
if (number % 11 == 0) continue; // Skip the rest of the loop body, continue to the next iteration
sum += number;
}
// It is better to re-write the loop as:
for (number = 1; number <= upperbound; ++number) {
if (number % 11 != 0) sum += number;
}
Example (break and continue): Study the following program.
1 /* A mystery series (Mystery.c) */

3
4 int main() {
5 int number = 1;
6 while (1) {
7 ++number;
8 if ((number % 3) == 0) continue;
9 if (number == 133) break;
10 if ((number % 2) == 0) {
11 number += 3;
12 } else {
13 number -= 3;
14 }
15 printf("%d ", number);
16 }
17 printf("\n");
18 return 0;
19 }
5.5 Terminating Program

There are a few ways that you can terminate your program, before reaching the end of the programming statements.
exit(): You could invoke the function exit(int exitCode), in <stdlib.h>, to terminate the program and return the control to the Operating System.
By convention, return code of zero indicates normal termination; while a non-zero exitCode (-1) indicates abnormal termination. For example,
abort(): The header <stdlib.h> also provide a function called abort(), which can be used to terminate the program abnormally.
if (errorCount > 10) {

printf("too many errors\n");
exit(-1); // Terminate the program
// OR abort();
}
The "return" Statement: You could also use a "return returnValue" statement in the main() function to terminate the program and return
control back to the Operating System. For example,
int main() {
...
if (errorCount > 10) {
printf("too many errors\n");
return -1; // Terminate and return control to OS from main()
}
...
}
5.6 Nested Loops

The following diagram illustrates a nested for-loop, i.e., an inner for-loop within an outer for-loop.
Try out the following program, which prints a 8-by-8 checker box pattern using nested loops, as follows:
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
1 /*
2 * Print square pattern (PrintSquarePattern.c).
3 */
5
6 int main() {
7 int size = 8, row, col;
8 for (row = 1; row <= size; ++row) { // Outer loop to print all the rows
9 for (col = 1; col <= size; ++col) { // Inner loop to print all the columns of each row
10 printf("# ");
11 }
12 printf("\n"); // A row ended, bring the cursor to the next line
13 }
14
15 return 0;
16 }
This program contains two nested for-loops. The inner loop is used to print a row of eight "# ", which is followed by printing a newline. The outer loop
repeats the inner loop to print all the rows.
Suppose that you want to print this pattern instead (in program called PrintCheckerPattern.cpp):
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
You need to print an additional space for even-number rows. You could do so by adding the following statement before Line 8.
if ((row % 2) == 0) { // print a leading space for even-numbered rows

printf(" ");
}
Exercises
1. Print these patterns using nested loop (in a program called PrintPattern1x). Use a variable called size for the size of the pattern and try out various
sizes. You should use as few printf() statements as possible.
# * # * # * # * # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 1 1
# * # * # * # * # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 2 1 1 2
# * # * # * # * # # # # # # # # # # # # 3 2 1 1 2 3
# * # * # * # * # # # # # # # # # # 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
# * # * # * # * # # # # # # # # 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5
# * # * # * # * # # # # # # 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6
# * # * # * # * # # # # 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
# * # * # * # * # # 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Hints:
The equations for major and opposite diagonals are row = col and row + col = size + 1. Decide on what to print above and below the diagonal.
2. Print the timetable of 1 to 9, as follows, using nested loop. (Hints: you need to use an if-else statement to check whether the product is single-digit or
double-digit, and print an additional space if needed.)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
......
3. Print these patterns using nested loop.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
5.7 Some Issues in Flow Control

Dangling else: The "dangling else" problem can be illustrated as follows:
if (i == 0)
if (j == 0)
printf("i and j are zero\n");
else printf("i is not zero\n"); // intend for the outer-if
The else clause in the above codes is syntactically applicable to both the outer-if and the inner-if. The C compiler always associate the else clause with the
innermost if (i.e., the nearest if). Dangling else can be resolved by applying explicit parentheses. The above codes are logically incorrect and require explicit
parentheses as shown below.
if ( i == 0) {
if (j == 0) printf("i and j are zero\n");
} else {
printf("i is not zero\n"); // non-ambiguous for outer-if
}
Endless Loop: The following constructs:
while (1) { ...... }
is commonly used. It seems to be an endless loop (or infinite loop), but it is usually terminated via a break or return statement inside the loop body. This
kind of code is hard to read - avoid if possible by re-writing the condition.
5.8 Exercises
[TODO]
6. Writing Correct and Good Programs

It is important to write programs that produce the correct results. It is also important to write programs that others (and you yourself three days later) can
understand, so that the programs can be maintained - I call these programs good programs.
Here are the suggestions:
Follow established convention so that everyone has the same basis of understanding.
Format and layout of the source code with appropriate indents, white spaces and white lines. Use 3 or 4 spaces for indent, and blank lines to separate
sections of codes.
Choose good names that are self-descriptive and meaningful, e.g., row, col, size, xMax, numStudents. Do not use meaningless names, such as a, b, c,
d. Avoid single-alphabet names (easier to type but often meaningless), except common names likes x, y, z for co-ordinates and i for index.
Provide comments to explain the important as well as salient concepts. Comment your codes liberally.
Write your program documentation while writing your programs.
Avoid un-structured constructs, such as break and continue, which are hard to follow.
Use "mono-space" fonts (such as Consola, Courier New, Courier) for writing/displaying your program.
Programming Errors
There are generally three classes of programming errors:
1. Compilation Error (or Syntax Error): can be fixed easily.
2. Runtime Error: program halts pre-maturely without producing the results - can also be fixed easily.
3. Logical Error: program completes but produces incorrect results. It is easy to detect if the program always produces wrong result. It is extremely hard
to fix if the program produces the correct result most of the times, but incorrect result sometimes. For example,
// Can compile and execute, but give wrong result – sometimes!

if (mark > 50) {
printf("PASS\n");
} else {
printf("FAIL\n");
}
This kind of errors is very serious if it is not caught before production. Writing good programs helps in minimizing and detecting these errors. A good
testing strategy is needed to ascertain the correctness of the program. Software testing is an advanced topics which is beyond our current scope.
Debugging Programs
Here are the common debugging techniques:
1. Stare at the screen! Unfortunately, errors usually won't pop-up even if you stare at it extremely hard.
2. Study the error messages! Do not close the console when error occurs and pretending that everything is fine. This helps most of the times.
3. Insert print statements at appropriate locations to display the intermediate results. It works for simple toy program, but it is neither effective nor
efficient for complex program.
4. Use a graphic debugger. This is the most effective means. Trace program execution step-by-step and watch the value of variables and outputs.
5. Advanced tools such as profiler (needed for checking memory leak and function usage).
6. Proper program testing to wipe out the logical errors.
Testing Your Program for Correctness

How to ensure that your program always produces correct result, 100% of the times? It is impossible to try out all the possible outcomes, even for a simple
program. Program testing usually involves a set of representative test cases, which are designed to catch the major classes of errors. Program testing is
beyond the scope of this writing.
7. Arrays
7.1 Array Declaration and Usage

Suppose that you want to find the average of the marks for a class of 30 students, you certainly do not want to create 30 variables: mark1, mark2, ...,
mark30. Instead, You could use a single variable, called an array, with 30 elements.
An array is a list of elements of the same type, identified by a pair of square brackets [ ]. To use an array, you need to declare the array with 3 things: a
name, a type and a dimension (or size, or length). The syntax is:
type arrayName[arraylength];
I recommend using a plural name for array, e.g., marks, rows, numbers. For example,
int marks[5]; // Declare an int array called marks with 5 elements

double numbers[10]; // Declare an double array of 10 elements
// Use #define to specify the length

#define SIZE 9
int numbers[SIZE];
// Some compilers support an variable as array length, e.g.,

const int SIZE = 9;
float temps[SIZE]; // Use const int as array length
int size;
printf("Enter the length of the array: ");
scanf("%d", size);
float values[size];
Take note that, in C, the value of the elements are undefined after declaration.
You can also initialize the array during declaration with a comma-separated list of values, as follows:
// Declare and initialize an int array of 3 elements

int numbers[3] = {11, 33, 44};
// If length is omitted, the compiler counts the elements
int numbers[] = {11, 33, 44};
// Number of elements in the initialization shall be equal to or less than length
int numbers[5] = {11, 33, 44}; // Remaining elements are zero. Confusing! Don't do this
int numbers[2] = {11, 33, 44}; // ERROR: too many initializers
// Use {0} or {} to initialize all elements to 0

int numbers[5] = {0}; // First element to 0, the rest also to zero
int numbers[5] = {}; // All element to 0 too
Example: Array Declaration and Initialization

1 /* Test local array initialization (TestArrayInit.c) */
3 #define SIZE 5
4
5 int main() {
6 int i;
7
8 int a1[SIZE]; // Uninitialized
9 for (i = 0; i < SIZE; ++i) printf("%d ", a1[i]);
10 printf("\n"); // ? ? ? ? ?
11
12 int a2[SIZE] = {21, 22, 23, 24, 25}; // All elements initialized
14 printf("\n"); // 21 22 23 24 25
15
16 int a3[] = {31, 32, 33, 34, 35}; // Size deduced from init values
17 int a3Size = sizeof(a3)/sizeof(int);
18 printf("Size is %d\n", a3Size); // 5
19 for (i = 0; i < a3Size; ++i) printf("%d ", a3[i]);
20 printf("\n"); // 31 32 33 34 35
21
22 int a4[5] = {41, 42}; // Leading elements initialized, the rests to 0
24 printf("\n"); // 41 42 0 0 0
25
26 int a5[5] = {0}; // First elements to 0, the rests to 0 too
28 printf("\n"); // 0 0 0 0 0
29
30 int a6[5] = {}; // All elements to 0 too
32 printf("\n"); // 0 0 0 0 0
33
34 // Using variable as the length of array
35 const int SIZE_2 = 5;
36 int a7[SIZE_2]; // okay without initialization
37 int a8[SIZE_2] = {5, 4, 3, 2, 1}; // error: variable-sized object may not be initialized
38 }
You can refer to an element of an array via an index (or subscript) enclosed within the square bracket [ ]. C's array index begins with zero. For example,
suppose that marks is an int array of 5 elements, then the 5 elements are: marks[0], marks[1], marks[2], marks[3], and marks[4].
// Declare & allocate a 5-element int array

int marks[5];
// Assign values to the elements
marks[0] = 95;
marks[1] = 85;
marks[2] = 77;
marks[3] = 69;
marks[4] = 66;
printf("%d\n", marks[0]");
printf("%d\n", marks[3] + marks[4];
To create an array, you need to known the length (or size) of the array in advance, and allocate accordingly. Once an array is created, its length is fixed and
cannot be changed. At times, it is hard to ascertain the length of an array (e.g., how many students in a class?). Nonetheless, you need to estimate the
length and allocate an upper bound. This is probably the major drawback of using an array.
You can find the array length using expression sizeof(arrayName)/sizeof(arrayName[0]), where sizeof(arrayName) returns the total bytes of the
array and sizeof(arrayName[0]) returns the bytes of first element.
C does not perform array index-bound check. In other words, if the index is beyond the array's bounds, it does not issue a warning/error. For example,
const int size = 5;

int numbers[size]; // array index from 0 to 4
// Index out of bound!

// Can compiled and run, but could pose very serious side effect!
numbers[88] = 999;
printf("%d\n", numbers[77]);
This is another pitfall of C. Checking the index bound consumes computation power and depicts the performance. However, it is better to be safe than fast.
Newer programming languages such as Java/C# performs array index bound check.
7.2 Array and Loop

Arrays works hand-in-hand with loops. You can process all the elements of an array via a loop, for example,
1 /*
2 * Find the mean and standard deviation of numbers kept in an array (MeanStdArray.c).
3 */
5 #include <math.h>
6 #define SIZE 7
7
8 int main() {
9 int marks[] = {74, 43, 58, 60, 90, 64, 70};
10 int sum = 0;
11 int sumSq = 0;
12 double mean, stdDev;
13 int i;
14 for (i = 0; i < SIZE; ++i) {
15 sum += marks[i];
16 sumSq += marks[i] * marks[i];
17 }
18 mean = (double)sum/SIZE;
19 printf("Mean is %.2lf\n", mean);
20
21 stdDev = sqrt((double)sumSq/SIZE - mean*mean);
22 printf("Std dev is %.2lf\n", stdDev);
23
24 return 0;
25 }
Exercises
[TODO]
7.3 Multi-Dimensional Array

For example,
int[2][3] = { {11, 22, 33}, {44, 55, 66} };
For 2D array (table), the first index is the row number, second index is the column number. The elements are stored in a so-called row-major manner, where
the column index runs out first.
Example
1 /* Test Multi-dimensional Array (Test2DArray.c) */
3 void printArray(const int[][3], int);
4
5 int main() {
6 int myArray[][3] = {{8, 2, 4}, {7, 5, 2}}; // 2x3 initialized
7 // Only the first index can be omitted and implied
8 printArray(myArray, 2);
9 return 0;
10 }
11
12 // Print the contents of rows-by-3 array (columns is fixed)
13 void printArray(const int array[][3], int rows) {
14 int i, j;
15 for (i = 0; i < rows; ++i) {
16 for (j = 0; j < 3; ++j) {
17 printf("%d ", array[i][j]);
18 }
19 printf("\n");
20 }
21 }
8. Functions
8.1 Why Functions?

At times, a certain portion of codes has to be used many times. Instead of re-writing the codes many times, it is better to put them into a "subroutine", and
"call" this "subroutine" many time - for ease of maintenance and understanding. Subroutine is called method (in Java) or function (in C/C++).
The benefits of using functions are:

1. Divide and conquer: construct the program from simple, small pieces or components. Modularize the program into self-contained tasks.
2. Avoid repeating codes: It is easy to copy and paste, but hard to maintain and synchronize all the copies.
3. Software Reuse: you can reuse the functions in other programs, by packaging them into library codes.
Two parties are involved in using a function: a caller who calls the function, and the function called. The caller passes argument(s) to the function. The
function receives these argument(s), performs the programmed operations within the function's body, and returns a piece of result back to the caller.
8.2 Using Functions
Get Started with an Example

Suppose that we need to evaluate the area of a circle many times, it is better to write a function called getArea(), and re-use it when needed.
1 /* Test Function (TestFunction.c) */

3 const int PI = 3.14159265;
4
5 // Function Prototype (Function Declaration)
6 double getArea(double radius);
7
8 int main() {
9 double radius1 = 1.1, area1, area2;
10 // call function getArea()
11 area1 = getArea(radius1);
12 printf("area 1 is %.2lf\n", area1);
14 area2 = getArea(2.2);
15 printf("area 2 is %.2lf\n", area2);
17 printf("area 3 is %.2lf\n", getArea(3.3));
18 }
19
20 // Function Definition
21 // Return the area of a circle given its radius
22 double getArea(double radius) {
23 return radius * radius * PI;
24 }
area 1 is 3.63
area 2 is 14.52
area 3 is 32.67
In the above example, a reusable function called getArea() is defined, which receives a parameter (in double) from the caller, performs the calculation,
and return a piece of result (in double) to the caller. In the main(), we invoke getArea() functions thrice, each time with a different parameter.
In C, you need to declare a function prototype (before the function is used), and provide a function definition, with a body containing the programmed
operations.
Function Definition
The syntax for function definition is as follows:
returnValueType functionName ( parameterList ) {

functionBody ;
}
The parameterList consists of comma-separated parameter-type and parameter-name, i.e., param-1-type param-1-name, param-2-type param-2-
name,...
The returnValueType specifies the type of the return value, such as int or double. An special return type called void can be used to denote that the
function returns no value. In C, a function is allowed to return one value or no value (void). It cannot return multiple values. [C does not allow you to
return an array!]
The "return" Statement

Inside the function's body, you could use a return statement to return a value (of the returnValueType declared in the function's header) and pass the
control back to the caller. The syntax is:
return expression; // Evaluated to a value of returnValueType declared in function's signature

return; // For function with return type of void
Take note that invoking a function (by the caller) transfers the control to the function. The return statement in the function transfers the control back to the
caller.
Function Naming Convention

A function's name shall be a verb or verb phrase (action), comprising one or more words. The first word is in lowercase, while the rest are initial-capitalized
(known as camel-case). For example, getArea(), setRadius(), moveDown(), isPrime(), etc.
Function Prototype
In C, a function must be declared before it can be called. It can be achieved by either placing the function definition before it is being used, or declare a so-
called function prototype.
A function prototype tells the compiler the function's interface, i.e., the return-type, function name, and the parameter type list (the number and type of
parameters). The function can now be defined anywhere in the file. For example,
// Function prototype - placed before the function is used.

double getArea(double); // without the parameter name
int max(int, int);
You could optionally include the parameter names in the function prototype. The names will be ignored by the compiler, but serve as documentation. For
example,
// Function Prototype
double getArea(double radius); // parameter names are ignored, but serve as documentation
int max(int number1, int number2);
Function prototypes are usually grouped together and placed in a so-called header file. The header file can be included in many programs. We will discuss
header file later.
Another Example
We have a function called max(int, int), which takes two int and return their maximum. We invoke the max() function from the main().
1 /* Testing max function (TestMaxFunction.c) */

3
4 int maximum(int, int); // Function prototype (declaration)
5
6 int main() {
7 printf("%d\n", maximum(5, 8)); // Call maximum() with literals
8
9 int a = 6, b = 9, c;
10 c = maximum(a, b); // Call maximum() with variables
11 printf("%d\n", c);
12
13 printf("%d\n", maximum(c, 99)); // Call maximum()
14 }
15
16 // Function definition
17 // A function that returns the maximum of two given int
18 int maximum(int num1, int num2) {
19 return (num1 > num2) ? num1 : num2;
20 }
The "void" Return Type

Suppose that you need a function to perform certain actions (e.g., printing) without a need to return a value to the caller, you can declare its return-value
type as void. In the function's body, you could use a "return;" statement without a return value to return control to the caller. In this case, the return
statement is optional. If there is no return statement, the entire body will be executed, and control returns to the caller at the end of the body.
Actual Parameters vs. Formal Parameters

Recall that a function receives arguments from its caller, performs the actions defined in the function's body, and return a value (or nothing) to the caller.
In the above example, the variable (double radius) declared in the signature of getArea(double radius) is known as formal parameter. Its scope is
within the function's body. When the function is invoked by a caller, the caller must supply so-called actual parameters (or arguments), whose value is then
used for the actual computation. For example, when the function is invoked via "area1 = getArea(radius1)", radius1 is the actual parameter, with a
value of 1.1.
Scope of Function's Local Variables and Parameters

All variables, including function's parameters, declared inside a function are available only to the function. They are created when the function is called, and
freed (destroyed) after the function returns. They are called local variables because they are local to the function and not available outside the function.
They are also called automatic variables, because they are created and destroyed automatically - no programmer's explicit action needed to allocate and
deallocate them.
Boolean Functions
A boolean function returns a int value of either 0 or not 0 to the caller.
Suppose that we wish to write a function called isOdd() to check if a given number is odd.
1 /*
2 * Test Boolean function (BooleanfunctionTest.c).
3 */
5
6 // Function Prototype
7 int isOdd(int);
8
9 int main() {
10 printf("%d\n", isOdd(5)); // 1 (true)
11 printf("%d\n", isOdd(6)); // 0 (false)
12 printf("%d\n", isOdd(-5)); // 0 (false)
13 }
14
15 int isOdd(int number) {
16 if (number % 2 == 1) {
17 return 1;
18 } else {
19 return 0;
20 }
21 }
This seemingly correct codes produces false for -5, because -5%2 is -1 instead of 1. You may rewrite the condition:
bool isOdd(int number) {

if (number % 2 == 0) {
return false;
} else {
return true;
}
}
The above code produces the correct answer, but is poor. For boolean function, you should simply return the resultant value of the comparison, instead of
using a conditional statement, as follow:
int isEven(int number) {

return (number % 2 == 0);
}
int isOdd(int number) {

return !(number % 2 == 0); // OR return !isEven(number);
}
int main() {
int number = -9;
if (isEven(number)) { // Don't write (isEven(number) != 0)
printf("Even\n");
}
if (isOdd(number)) { // Don't write (isOdd(number) != 0)
printf("Odd\n");
}
}
8.3 Functions and Arrays

You can also pass arrays into function. However, you also need to pass the size of the array into the function. This is because there is no way to tell the size
of the array from the array argument inside the called function.
For example,
Example: Computing the Sum of an Array and Print Array's Contents

1 /* Function to compute the sum of an array (SumArray.c) */
3
4 // Function prototype
5 int sum(int array[], int size); // Need to pass the array size too
6 void print(int array[], int size);
7
8 // Test Driver
9 int main() {
10 int a1[] = {8, 4, 5, 3, 2};
11 print(a1, 5); // {8,4,5,3,2}
12 printf("sum is %d\n", sum(a1, 5)); // sum is 22
13 }
14
15 // Function definition
16 // Return the sum of the given array
17 int sum(int array[], int size) {
18 int sum = 0;
19 int i;
20 for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
21 sum += array[i];
22 }
23 return sum;
24 }
25
26 // Print the contents of the given array
27 void print(int array[], int size) {
28 int i;
29 printf("{");
30 for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
31 printf("%d", array[i]);
32 if (i < size - 1) {
33 printf(",");
34 }
35 }
36 printf("}\n");
37 }
8.4 Pass-by-Value vs. Pass-by-Reference

There are two ways that a parameter can be passed into a function: pass by value vs. pass by reference.
Pass-by-Value
In pass-by-value, a "copy" of argument is created and passed into the function. The invoked function works on the "clone", and cannot modify the original
copy. In C, fundamental types (such as int and double) are passed by value. That is, you cannot modify caller's value inside the function - there is no side
effect.
Example (Fundamental Types are Passed by Value)

1 /* Fundamental types are passed by value into Function (TestPassByValue.c) */
3
4 // Function prototypes
5 int inc(int number);
6
7 // Test Driver
8 int main() {
9 int n = 8;
10 printf("Before calling function, n is %d\n", n); // 8
11 int result = inc(n);
12 printf("After calling function, n is %d\n", n); // 8
13 printf("result is %d\n", result); // 9
14 }
15
16 // Function definitions
17 // Return number+1
18 int inc(int number) {
19 ++number; // Modify parameter, no effect to caller
20 return number;
21 }
Pass-by-Reference
On the other hand, in pass-by-reference, a reference of the caller's variable is passed into the function. In other words, the invoked function works on the
same data. If the invoked function modifies the parameter, the same caller's copy will be modified as well.
In C, arrays are passed by reference. That is, you can modify the contents of the caller's array inside the invoked function - there could be side effect in
passing arrays into function.
C does not allow functions to return an array. Hence, if you wish to write a function that modifies the contents of an array (e.g., sorting the elements of an
array), you need to rely on pass-by-reference to work on the same copy inside and outside the function. Recall that in pass-by-value, the invoked function
works on a clone copy and has no way to modify the original copy.
Example (Array is passed by Reference): Increment Each Element of an Array

1 /* Function to increment each element of an array (IncrementArray.c) */
3
4 // Function prototypes
5 void inc(int array[], int size);
6 void print(int array[], int size);
7
8 // Test Driver
9 int main() {
10 int a1[] = {8, 4, 5, 3, 2};
11
12 // Before increment
13 print(a1, 5); // {8,4,5,3,2}
14 // Do increment
15 inc(a1, 5); // Array is passed by reference (having side effect)
16 // After increment
17 print(a1, 5); // {9,5,6,4,3}
18 }
19
20 // Function definitions
21
22 // Increment each element of the given array
23 void inc(int array[], int size) { // array[] is not const
24 int i;
25 for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
26 array[i]++; // side-effect
27 }
28 }
29
30 // Print the contents of the given array
31 void print(int array[], int size) {
32 int i;
33 printf("{");
34 for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
35 printf("%d", array[i]);
36 if (i < size - 1) {
37 printf(",");
38 }
39 }
40 printf("}\n");
41 }
Array is passed into function by reference. That is, the invoked function works on the same copy of the array as the caller. Hence, changes of array inside the
function is reflected outside the function (i.e., side effect).
Why Arrays are Pass-by-Reference?

Array is designed to be passed by reference, instead of by value using a cloned copy. This is because passing huge array by value is inefficient - the huge
array needs to be cloned.
8.5 "const" Function Parameters

Pass-by-reference risks corrupting the original data. If you do not have the intention of modifying the arrays inside the function, you could use the const
keyword in the function parameter. A const function argument cannot be modified inside the function.
Use const whenever possible for passing references as it prevents you from inadvertently modifying the parameters and protects you against many
programming errors.
Example: Search an Array using Linear Search

In a linear search, the search key is compared with each element of the array linearly. If there is a match, it returns the index of the array between [0, size-1];
otherwise, it returns -1 or the size of of the array (some implementations deal with only positive indexes). Linear search has complexity of O(n).
1 /* Search an array for the given key using Linear Search (LinearSearch.c) */
3
4 int linearSearch(const int a[], int size, int key);
5
6 int main() {
7 const int SIZE = 8;
8 int a1[] = {8, 4, 5, 3, 2, 9, 4, 1};
9
10 printf("%d\n", linearSearch(a1, SIZE, 8)); // 0
11 printf("%d\n", linearSearch(a1, SIZE, 4)); // 1
12 printf("%d\n", linearSearch(a1, SIZE, 99)); // 8 (not found)
13 }
14
15 // Search the array for the given key
16 // If found, return array index [0, size-1]; otherwise, return size
17 int linearSearch(const int a[], int size, int key) {
18 int i;
19 for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
20 if (a[i] == key) return i;
21 }
22 return size;
23 }
Program Notes:
[TODO]
Example: Sorting an Array using Bubble Sort

Wiki "Bubble Sort" for the detailed algorithm and illustration. In brief, we pass thru the list, compare two adjacent items and swap them if they are in the
wrong order. Repeat the pass until no swaps are needed. For example,
{8,4,5,3,2,9,4,1}
PASS 1 ...
{8,4,5,3,2,9,4,1} => {4,8,5,3,2,9,4,1}
{4,8,5,3,2,9,4,1} => {4,5,8,3,2,9,4,1}
{4,5,8,3,2,9,4,1} => {4,5,3,8,2,9,4,1}
{4,5,3,8,2,9,4,1} => {4,5,3,2,8,9,4,1}
{4,5,3,2,8,9,4,1} => {4,5,3,2,8,4,9,1}
{4,5,3,2,8,4,9,1} => {4,5,3,2,8,4,1,9}
PASS 2 ...
{4,5,3,2,8,4,1,9} => {4,3,5,2,8,4,1,9}
{4,3,5,2,8,4,1,9} => {4,3,2,5,8,4,1,9}
{4,3,2,5,8,4,1,9} => {4,3,2,5,4,8,1,9}
{4,3,2,5,4,8,1,9} => {4,3,2,5,4,1,8,9}
PASS 3 ...
{4,3,2,5,4,1,8,9} => {3,4,2,5,4,1,8,9}
{3,4,2,5,4,1,8,9} => {3,2,4,5,4,1,8,9}
{3,2,4,5,4,1,8,9} => {3,2,4,4,5,1,8,9}
{3,2,4,4,5,1,8,9} => {3,2,4,4,1,5,8,9}
PASS 4 ...
{3,2,4,4,1,5,8,9} => {2,3,4,4,1,5,8,9}
{2,3,4,4,1,5,8,9} => {2,3,4,1,4,5,8,9}
PASS 5 ...
{2,3,4,1,4,5,8,9} => {2,3,1,4,4,5,8,9}
PASS 6 ...
{2,3,1,4,4,5,8,9} => {2,1,3,4,4,5,8,9}
PASS 7 ...
{2,1,3,4,4,5,8,9} => {1,2,3,4,4,5,8,9}
PASS 8 ...
{1,2,3,4,4,5,8,9}
Bubble sort is not efficient, with complexity of O(n2).
1 /* Sorting an array using Bubble Sort (BubbleSort.c) */

3
4 void bubbleSort(int a[], int size);
5 void print(const int a[], int size);
6
7 int main() {
9 int a[] = {8, 4, 5, 3, 2, 9, 4, 1};
10
11 print(a, SIZE);
12 printf("\n");
13 bubbleSort(a, SIZE);
14 print(a, SIZE);
15 printf("\n");
16 }
17
18 // Sort the given array of size
19 void bubbleSort(int a[], int size) {
20 int done = 0; // terminate if no more swap thru a pass
21 int pass = 0; // pass number, for tracing
22 int temp; // use for swapping
23
24 while (!done) {
25 printf("PASS %d...\n", ++pass); // for tracing
26 done = 1;
27 // Pass thru the list, compare adjacent items and swap
28 // them if they are in wrong order
29 int i;
30 for (i = 0; i < size - 1; ++i) {
31 if (a[i] > a[i+1]) {
32 print(a, size); // for tracing
33 temp = a[i];
34 a[i] = a[i+1];
35 a[i+1] = temp;
36 done = 0; // swap detected, one more pass
37 printf("=> "); // for tracing
38 print(a, size);
39 printf("\n");
40 }
41 }
42 }
43 }
44
45 // Print the contents of the given array of size
46 void print(const int a[], int size) {
47 int i;
48 printf("{");
49 for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
50 printf("%d", a[i]);
51 if (i < size - 1) printf(",");
52 }
53 printf("} ");
54 }
Program Notes:
[TODO]
Example: Sorting an Array using Insertion Sort

Wiki "Insertion Sort" for the algorithm and illustration. In brief, pass thru the list. For each element, compare with all previous elements and insert it at the
correct position by shifting the other elements. For example,
{8,4,5,3,2,9,4,1}
{8} {4,5,3,2,9,4,1}
{4,8} {5,3,2,9,4,1}
{4,5,8} {3,2,9,4,1}
{3,4,5,8} {2,9,4,1}
{2,3,4,5,8} {9,4,1}
{2,3,4,5,8,9} {4,1}
{2,3,4,4,5,8,9} {1}
{1,2,3,4,4,5,8,9}
Insertion sort is also not efficient, with complexity of O(n2).
1 /* Sorting an array using Insertion Sort (InsertionSort.c) */

3
4 void insertionSort(int a[], int size);
5 void print(const int a[], int iMin, int iMax);
6
7 int main() {
9 int a[] = {8, 4, 5, 3, 2, 9, 4, 1};
10
11 print(a, 0, SIZE - 1);
12 printf("\n");
13 insertionSort(a, SIZE);
15 printf("\n");
16 }
17
18 // Sort the given array of size using insertion sort
19 void insertionSort(int a[], int size) {
20 int temp; // for shifting elements
21 int i, prev, shift;
22 for (i = 1; i < size; ++i) {
23 // for tracing
24 print(a, 0, i - 1); // already sorted
25 print(a, i, size - 1); // to be sorted
26 printf("\n");
27
28 // For element at i, insert into proper position in [0, i-1]
29 // which is already sorted.
30 // Shift down the other elements
31 for (prev = 0; prev < i; ++prev) {
32 if (a[i] < a[prev]) {
33 // insert a[i] at prev, shift the elements down
34 temp = a[i];
35 for (shift = i; shift > prev; --shift) {
36 a[shift] = a[shift-1];
37 }
38 a[prev] = temp;
39 break;
40 }
41 }
42 }
43 }
44
45 // Print the contents of the array in [iMin, iMax]
46 void print(const int a[], int iMin, int iMax) {
47 int i;
48 printf("{");
49 for (i = iMin; i <= iMax; ++i) {
50 printf("%d" ,a[i]);
51 if (i < iMax) printf(",");
52 }
53 printf("} ");
54 }
Program Notes:
[TODO]
Example: Sorting an Array using Selection Sort

Wiki "Selection Sort" for the algorithm and illustration. In brief, Pass thru the list. Select the smallest element and swap with the head of the list. For
example,
{8,4,5,3,2,9,4,1}
{} {8,4,5,3,2,9,4,1} => {} {1,4,5,3,2,9,4,8}
{1} {4,5,3,2,9,4,8} => {1} {2,5,3,4,9,4,8}
{1,2} {5,3,4,9,4,8} => {1,2} {3,5,4,9,4,8}
{1,2,3} {5,4,9,4,8} => {1,2,3} {4,5,9,4,8}
{1,2,3,4} {5,9,4,8} => {1,2,3,4} {4,9,5,8}
{1,2,3,4,4} {9,5,8} => {1,2,3,4,4} {5,9,8}
{1,2,3,4,4,5} {9,8} => {1,2,3,4,4,5} {8,9}
{1,2,3,4,4,5,8,9}
Selection sort is also not efficient, with complexity of O(n2).
1 /* Sorting an array using Selection Sort (SelectionSort.c) */

3
4 void selectionSort(int a[], int size);
5 void print(const int a[], int iMin, int iMax);
6
7 int main() {
9 int a[] = {8, 4, 5, 3, 2, 9, 4, 1};
10
12 printf("\n");
13 selectionSort(a, SIZE);
15 printf("\n");
16 }
17
18 // Sort the given array of size using selection sort
19 void selectionSort(int a[], int size) {
20 int temp; // for swapping
21 int i, j;
22 for (i = 0; i < size - 1; ++i) {
23 // for tracing
24 print(a, 0, i - 1);
25 print(a, i, size - 1);
26
27 // [0, i-1] already sort
28 // Search for the smallest element in [i, size-1]
29 // and swap with a[i]
30 int minIndex = i; // assume fist element is the smallest
31 for (j = i + 1; j < size; ++j) {
32 if (a[j] < a[minIndex]) minIndex = j;
33 }
34 if (minIndex != i) { // swap
35 temp = a[i];
36 a[i] = a[minIndex];
37 a[minIndex] = temp;
38 }
39
40 // for tracing
41 printf("=> ");
42 print(a, 0, i - 1);
43 print(a, i, size - 1);
44 printf("\n");
45 }
46 }
47
48 // Print the contents of the array in [iMin, iMax]
49 void print(const int a[], int iMin, int iMax) {
50 int i;
51 printf("{");
52 for (i = iMin; i <= iMax; ++i) {
53 printf("%d", a[i]);
54 if (i < iMax) printf(",");
55 }
56 printf("} ");
57 }
Program Notes:
[TODO]
"const" Fundamental-Type Function Parameters?

You could also use const for fundamental-type function parameters (such as int, double) to prevent the parameters from being modified inside the
function. However, as fundamental-type parameters are passed by value (with a cloned copy), there will never be side effect on the caller. We typically do
not use the const keyword for fundamental types. In other words, const is used to indicate that there shall NOT be side-effect.
8.6 Mathematical Functions (Header <math.h>)

C provides many common-used Mathematical functions in library <math.h>. The signatures of some of these functions are:
sin(x), cos(x), tan(x), asin(x), acos(x), atan(x):

Take argument-type and return-type of float, double, long double.
atan2(y, x):
Return arc-tan of y/x. Better than atan(x) for handling 90 degree.
sinh(x), cosh(x), tanh(x):

hyper-trigonometric functions.
pow(x, y), sqrt(x):

power and square root.
ceil(x), floor(x):
returns the ceiling and floor integer of floating point number.
fabs(x), fmod(x, y):

floating-point absolute and modulus.
exp(x), log(x), log10(x):

exponent and logarithm functions.
8.7 Generating Random Numbers

The stdlib.h header provides a function rand(), which generates a pseudo-random integral number between 0 and RAND_MAX (inclusive). RAND_MAX is a
constant defined in stdlib.h (typically the maximum value of 16-/32-bit signed integer, such as 32767). You can generate a random number between
[0,n) via rand() % n.
rand() generates the same squence of pseudo-random numbers on different invocations. The stblib.h also provides a srand() function to seed or
initialize the random number generator. We typically seed it with the current time obtained via time(0) function (in <time.h> header), which returns the
number of seconds since January 1st, 1970.
Example 1: Test rand() and srand(time(0))

1 /* Test Random Number Generation (TestRand.c) */
3 #include <stdlib.h> // for rand(), srand()
4 #include <time.h> // for time()
5
6 int main() {
7 // rand() generate a random number in [0, RAND_MAX]
8 printf("RAND_MAX is %d\n", RAND_MAX); // 32767
9
10 // Generate 10 pseudo-random numbers between 0 and 99
11 // without seeding the generator.
12 // You will get the same sequence, every time you run this program
13 int i;
14 for (i = 0; i < 10; ++i) {
15 printf("%d ", rand() % 100); // need <stdlib.h> header
16 }
17 printf("\n");
18
19 // Seed the random number generator with current time
20 srand(time(0)); // need <cstdlib> and <ctime> header
21 // Generate 10 pseudo-random numbers
22 // You will get different sequence on different run,
23 // because the current time is different
24 for (i = 0; i < 10; ++i) {
25 printf("%d ", rand() % 100); // need <stdlib.h> header
26 }
27 printf("\n");
28 }
Example 2: Test rand()'s Distribution

We shall test the rand()'s distribution by repeatedly throwing a 6-sided die and count the occurrences.
1 /* Test rand() distribution by throwing a die repeatedly (TestRandomDie.c) */

3 #include <stdlib.h> // for rand(), srand()
4 #include <time.h> // for time()
5
6 const int TOTAL_COUNT = 2000000; // Close to INT_MAX
7 const int NUM_FACES = 6;
8 int frequencies[6] = {0}; // frequencies of 0 to 5, init to zero
9
10 int main() {
11 srand(time(0)); // seed random number generator with current time
12 // Throw the die and count the frequencies
13 int i;
14 for (i = 0; i < TOTAL_COUNT; ++i) {
15 ++frequencies[rand() % 6];
16 }
17
18 // Print statistics
19 for (i = 0; i < NUM_FACES; i++) {
20 printf("%d: %d (%.2lf%)\n", i+1, frequencies[i],
21 100.0 * frequencies[i] / TOTAL_COUNT);
22 }
23 }
1: 333109 (16.66%)
2: 333113 (16.66%)
3: 333181 (16.66%)
4: 333562 (16.68%)
5: 333601 (16.68%)
6: 333434 (16.67%)
As seen from the output, rand() is fairly uniformly-distributed over [0, RAND_MAX].
8.8 Exercises
[TODO]
9. Characters and Strings

A C-string is an array of characters terminated with a null character, denoted as '\0' which is equivalent to ASCII 0. For example,
char message[] = {'H', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o', '\0'};

char message[] = "Hello"; // same as above
Clearly, the length of array is the length of string plus 1, to account for the terminating null character '\0'.
You can use scanf() to input a string, and printf() to print a string, with %s conversion specifier. For example,
2 #include <string.h>
3
4 int main() {
5 char message[256];
6 // The length of char array shall be sufficient to hold the string
7 // plus the terminating null character '\0'
8 printf("Enter a message: ");
9 scanf("%s", message);
10 // Do not place an & before the array variable
11 printf("The message is: %s\n", message);
12 // Print up to but not including the terminating null character '\0'
13
14 // print each characters
15 int i;
16 for (i = 0; message[i] != '\0'; ++i) {
17 printf("'%c' ", message[i]);
18 }
19 printf("\n");
20
21 int len = strlen(message);
22 // Length of string does not include terminating null character '\0'
23 printf("The length of string is %d\n", len);
24 }
Enter a message: hello

The message is: hello
'h' 'e' 'l' 'l' 'o'
The length of string is 5
Take note that you need to allocate a char array that is big enough to hold the input string including the terminating null character '\0'.
9.1 Character Type and Conversion in <ctype.h> Header

Function Description
int isalpha(int c); [a-zA-Z] Check the character's type and return true (non-zero) or false (0)
int isdigit(int c); [0-9]
int isalnum(int c); [a-zA-Z0-9]
int isxdigit(int [0-9A-Fa-f]
c); [ \t\n]
int isspace(int c); Control character
int iscntrl(int c); Punctuation
int ispunct(int c); character
int isprint(int c); Printable character
int isgraph(int c); Graphical character
int isupper(int c); [A-Z] Check if uppercase/lowercase and return true (non-zero) or false (0)
int islower(int c); [a-z]
int toupper(int c); To Uppercase Return the uppercase/lowercase character, if c is a lowercase/uppercase character; otherwise, return
int tolower(int c); To Lowercase c.
Example: [TODO]
9.2 String/Number Conversion in <stdlib.h> Header

The stdlib.h contains function prototypes for conversion between string and numbers.
int atoi(const char * str); String to int Convert the str to
double atof(const char * str); String to double int/double/long/long long.
long atol(const char * str); String to long
long long atoll(const char * str); String to long long
double strtod(const char* str, char** endptr); String to double Convert the str to double/float.
float strtof(const char* str, char** endptr); String to float If endptr is not a null pointer,
it will be set to point to the first character after the
number.
long strtol(const char* str, char** endptr, int base); String to long Convert the str to long/unsigned long.
unsigned long strtoul(const char* str, char** endptr, String to unsigned
int base); long
Example: [TODO]
9.3 String Manipulation in <string.h> Header

char* strcpy(char* dest, const char* src); String copy Copy src into dest.
char* strncpy(char* dest, const char* src, size_t String copy at most n-chars Return dest.
n);
char* strcat(char* dest, const char* src); String concatenation Concatenate src into dest.
char* strncat(char* dest, const char* src, size_t String concatenation at most n-char Return dest.
n);
int strcmp(const char* s1, const char* s2); String compare Comparing s1 and s2.
int strncmp(const char* s1, const char* s2, size_t String compare at most n-char Return 0, less than 0, more than 0
n); if s1 is the same, less than, more than
s2.
int strlen(const char* str); String Length Return the length of str
(excluding terminating null char)
char* strchr(const char* str, int c); Search string for char Return a pointer to the first/last
char* strrchr(const char* str, int c); Search string for char reverse occurrence
of c in str
if present. Otherwise, return NULL.
char* strpbrk(const char* str, const char* Search string for char in pattern Locate the first occurrence in str
pattern); of any character in pattern.
char* strstr(const char* str, const char* substr); Search string for sub-string Return a pointer to the first occurrence
of substr in str
if present. Otherwise, return NULL.
char* strspn(const char* str, const char* substr); Search string for span of substr
char* strcspn(const char* str, const char* substr); Search string for complement span of
substr
char* strtok(char* str, char *delimit); Split string into tokens
void* memcpy(void *dest, const void *src, size_t Memory block copy
n); Memory block move
void* memmove(void *dest, const void *src, size_t Memory block compare
n); Search memory block for char
int memcmp(const void *p1, const void *p2, size_t Memory block set (fill)
n);
void* memchr(void *ptr, int value, size_t n);
void* memset(void *ptr, int value, size_t n);
Example: [TODO]
9.4 char/string IO in <stdio.h> Header

int getchar(); Get character (from stdin) Input/Output a character

int putchar(int c); Put character (to stdout) from stdin/stdout.
int getc(FILE *stream); Get character (from FILE stream) Input/Output a character
int putc(int c, FILE *stream); Put character (to FILE stream) from FILE stream.
int ungetc(int c, FILE *stream); Un-get character (to FILE stream)
char* gets(char *str); Get string (from stdin) Input/Output string

int puts(const char* str); Put string (to stdout) from stdin/stdout.
int sprintf(char *str, const char *format, ...); Formatted print (to string) Formatted string input/output.
int sscanf(char *str, const char *format, ....); Formatted scan (from string) Similar to printf() and scanf(),
except that the output/input comes from the str.
Example: [TODO]
10. File Input/Output

[TODO]
10.1 File IO in <stdio.h> Header

FILE* fopen(const char* filename, const char* mode); File open Open/Close a file.
int fclose(FILE *stream); File close
FILE* freopen(const char* filename, const char* mode, FILE
*stream);
int fprintf(FILE *stream, const char *format, ...); Formatted print to file Formatted file input/output.
int fscanf(FILE *stream, const char *format, ...); Formatted scan from Similar to printf()/scanf(),
file except that the input/output comes from file
int fgetc(FILE *stream) Get character from Unformatted character/string input/output
int fputc(int c, FILE *stream); file from file
char* fgets(char *str, size_t n, FILE *stream); Put character to file
int fputs(const char *str, FILE *stream); Get string from file
Put string to file
size_t fread(void *ptr size_t size, size_t count, FILE File read Direct Access
*stream) File write
size_t fwrite(const void *ptr, size_t size, size_t count, FILE Get file position
*stream); Set file position
int fgetpos(FILE *stream, fpos_t *pos); File seek
int fsetpos(FILE *stream, const fpos_t *pos); Tell file
int fseek(FILE *stream, long offset, int origin);
long ftell(FILE *stream);
void rewind(FILE *stream); Rewind file Set the file position to the beginning
int fflush(FILE *stream); File Flush
int feof(FILE *stream); Test end-of-file

int ferror(FILE *stream); Check file error
void perror(const char *str); Print error message
Open/Close File
To open a file, use fopen(filename, mode). The modes are:
Mode Description
"r" Read Open file for reading. The file shall exist.
"w" Write Open file for writing. If the file does not exist, create a new file; otherwise, discard existing contents.
"a" Append Open file for writing. If the file does not exist, create a new file; otherwise, append to the existing file.
"r+" Read/Write Open file for reading/writing. The file shall exist.
"w+" Read/Write Open file for reading/writing. If the file does not exist, create a new file; otherwise, discard existing contents.
"a+" Read/Append Open file for reading/writing. If the file does not exist, create a new file; otherwise, append to the existing file.
"rb" "wb" "ab" "rb+" "wb+" "ab+" For binary files.
File Stream
You can use stdin, stdout, stderr to denote standard input stream (keyboard), standard output stream (console) and standard error stream (console).
10.2 Sequential-Access File
Example 1: Formatted File Input/Output

1 /* Test File IO (TestFileIO.c) */
3
4 int main() {
5 FILE *fin, *fout;
6
7 fout = fopen("test.txt", "w");
8 fprintf(fout, "%d %lf %s\n", 123, 44.55, "Hello");
9 fclose(fout);
10
11 fin = fopen("test.txt", "r");
12 int i;
13 double d;
14 char msg[80];
15 fscanf(fin, "%d %lf %s", &i, &d, msg);
16 printf("i is %d\n", i);
17 printf("d is %lf\n", d);
18 printf("msg is %s\n", msg);
19 fclose(fin);
20 }
Example 2
2 #define SIZE 80 // size of string buffer
3
4 int main() {
5 FILE * pFile;
6 char buffer[SIZE];
7
8 pFile = fopen("test.txt" , "r");
9 if (pFile == NULL) {
10 perror("Error opening file");
11 } else {
12 while (!feof(pFile)) {
13 if (fgets(buffer, SIZE, pFile) == NULL) break;
14 fputs (buffer , stdout);
15 }
16 fclose(pFile);
17 }
18 return 0;
19 }
10.3 Direct-Access File IO

[TODO]
11. Pointers and Dynamic Allocation

[TODO]
11.1 Array and Pointer

[TODO]
11.2 String as char pointer

In C, an array name is equivalent to a pointer pointing to the first element of the array. For example, if msg is a char array (char msg[256]), then msg is
&msg[0].
We can declare and initialize a string via char pointer; and operate the string via char pointer.
2
3 int main() {
4 char *msg = "hello"; // Append a terminating null character '\0'
5 char *p;
6
7 for (p = msg; *p != '\0'; ++p) {
8 printf("'%c' ", *p);
9 }
10 printf("\n");
11 }
[TODO]
12. struct, union and enum

[TODO]
13. Miscellaneous
13.1 Bit Operations

[TODO]
13.2 C Library Headers

<stdio.h>: contains function prototypes for standard input/output functions such as printf() and scanf().
<stdlib.h>: contains function prototypes for conversion between numbers and texts (e.g., atoi(), atof(), strtod()); memory allocation
(malloc(), free()); random number generator (rand(), srand()); system utilities (exit(), abort()).
<math.h>: contains function prototypes for mathematical functions (e.g., pow(), sqrt()).
<ctype.h>: (character type) contains function prototypes for testing character properties (isupper(), isalpha(), isspace()) and case conversion
(toupper(), tolower()).
<limits.h>, <float.h>: contains integer and float size and limits.
<string.h>: contains function prototypes for string processing functions (e.g., strcpy(), strcat(), strcmp()).
<time.h>: contains function prototypes for date and time functions (e.g., time()).
<assert.h>: for assertion (to aid in diagnostics).
<errno.h>: for error reporting.
<signal.h>: for raising and handling signals.
<stdarg.h>: for handling variable argument.
<stddef.h>: contains common type definition such as size_t.
<locale.h>:
<setjmp.h>:
13.3 Keywords
ISO C90 (ANSI C 89) has 32 keywords:
Type: int, double, long, char, float, short, unsigned, signed, typedef, sizeof (10).
Control: if, else, switch, case, break, default, for, do, while, continue, goto (11).
Function: return, void (2)
Data Structure: struct, enum, union (3)
Memory: auto, register, extern, const, volatile, static (6).
ISO C99 adds 5 keywords, total of 37:

_Bool, _Complex, _Imaginary, inline, restrict (5).
ISO C11 adds 7 more keywords, total of 44:

_Alignas, _Alignof, _Atomic, _Generic, _Noreturn, _Static_assert, _Thread_local (7).
Link to "C References and Resources"
Latest version tested: Cygwin/MInGW GCC g++ 4.6.2

Last modified: June, 2013
Feedback, comments, corrections, and errata can be sent to Chua Hock-Chuan (ehchua@ntu.edu.sg) | HOME

C Basics - C Programming Tutorial

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (HIDE)

C Programming Language 2. Basic Syntaxes

Basics 2.3 Statements and Blocks

Enter the upperbound: 1000

There are two kinds of comments in C:

2.3 Statements and Blocks

2.4 White Spaces and Formatting Source Codes

int sum=0; // Need a white space between int and sum

int mark = 70;

2.5 Preprocessor Directives

#include <stdio.h> // To include the IO library header

More on preprocessor directives later.

3. Variables and Types

Variable Naming Convention

3.3 Variable Declaration

// Declare a variable of a specified type

int mark1; // Declare an int variable called mark1

Take note that:

CAUTION: Uninitialized Variables

3.4 Constants (const)

const double PI = 3.1415926; // Need to initialize

int sum, number;

double principal, interestRate;

3.6 Assignment (=)

The syntax for assignment statement is:

number = 8; // Assign literal value of 8 to the variable number

3.7 Fundamental Types

Bytes Minimum Maximum

*The sizeof Operator

The results may vary among different systems.

1 /* Test integer limits in <limits.h> header */

int max = 2147483647

Again, the outputs depend on the system.

There is a subtle difference between int 0 and double 0.0.

*The typedef Statement

typedef unsigned int uint;

typedef unsigned int size_t;

3.8 Output via printf() Function

Formatted Output via printf()

printf(formattingString, variable1, variable2, ...)

Hello, number1 is 12345.

Type Conversion Code

Type Type Conversion Code Type & Format

%x, %X int in hexadecimal (%X uses uppercase A-F)

%hd, %hu short, unsigned short

%lld, %llu long long, unsigned long long

%e, %E float in scientific notation

int anInt = 12345;

printf("The int is %d.\n", anInt);

Using the wrong type conversion code usually produces garbage.

int number = 123456;

Precision (Decimal Places) for Floating-point Numbers

double value = 123.14159265;

int i1 = 12345, i2 = 678;

char msg[] = "Hello";

3.9 Input via scanf() Function

Return-Value for scanf()

int number1 = 55, number2 = 66;

int number1 = 55, number2 = 66;

Checking the return code of scanf() is recommended for secure coding.

3.10 Literals for Fundamental Types and String

int number = -123;

int number1 = 1234; // Decimal

long number = 12345678L; // Suffix 'L' for long

Use suffix 'L' (or 'l') for long double.

Character Literals and Escape Sequences

You can find the ASCII code table HERE.

char letter = 'a'; // Same as 97

Horizontal Tab (09H) is represented as \t.

The <ctype.h> Header

printf("Use \\\" to place\n a \" within\ta\tstring\n");

Use \" to place

4.1 Arithmetic Operators

Operator Description Usage Examples