C Interview Questions

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Part1  |    Part2   |     ; Part3  |    ; Part4

Predict the output or error(s) for the following:
1. void main()
{
int const * p=5;
printf("%d",++(*p));
}
Answer:
Compiler error: Cannot modify a constant value.
Explanation:
p is a pointer to a "constant integer". But we tried to change the
value of the "constant integer".
2. main()
{
char s[ ]="man";
int i;
for(i=0;s[ i ];i++)
printf("\n%c%c%c%c",s[ i ],*(s+i),*(i+s),i[s]);
}
Answer:
mmmm
aaaa
nnnn
Explanation:
s[i], *(i+s), *(s+i), i[s] are all different ways of expressing the
same idea. Generally array name is the base address for that array. Here s is
the base address. i is the index number/displacement from the base address. So,
indirecting it with * is same as s[i]. i[s] may be surprising. But in the case of C
it is same as s[i].
3. main()
{
float me = 1.1;
double you = 1.1;
if(me==you)
printf("I love U");
else
printf("I hate U");
}
Answer:
I hate U
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Explanation:
For floating point numbers (float, double, long double) the values
cannot be predicted exactly. Depending on the number of bytes, the precession
with of the value represented varies. Float takes 4 bytes and long double takes
10 bytes. So float stores 0.9 with less precision than long double.
Rule of Thumb:
Never compare or at-least be cautious when using floating point
numbers with relational operators (== , >, <, <=, >=,!= ) .
4. main()
{
static int var = 5;
printf("%d ",var--);
if(var)
main();
}
Answer:
5 4 3 2 1
Explanation:
When static storage class is given, it is initialized once. The change
in the value of a static variable is retained even between the function calls. Main
is also treated like any other ordinary function, which can be called recursively.
5. main()
{
int c[ ]={2.8,3.4,4,6.7,5};
int j,*p=c,*q=c;
for(j=0;j<5;j++) { printf(" %d ",*c); ++q; } for(j=0;j<5;j++){ printf(" %d ",*p); ++p; } } Answer: 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 6 5 Explanation: Initially pointer c is assigned to both p and q. In the first loop, since only q is incremented and not c , the value 2 will be printed 5 times. In second loop p itself is incremented. So the values 2 3 4 6 5 will be printed. 6. main() { extern int i; i=20; printf("%d",i); } Answer: Linker Error : Undefined symbol '_i' Explanation: extern storage class in the following declaration, http://www.exforsys.com Page 3 6/26/2004 3 extern int i; specifies to the compiler that the memory for i is allocated in some other program and that address will be given to the current program at the time of linking. But linker finds that no other variable of name i is available in any other program with memory space allocated for it. Hence a linker error has occurred . 7. main() { int i=-1,j=-1,k=0,l=2,m; m=i++&&j++&&k++||l++; printf("%d %d %d %d %d",i,j,k,l,m); } Answer: 0 0 1 3 1 Explanation : Logical operations always give a result of 1 or 0 . And also the logical AND (&&) operator has higher priority over the logical OR (||) operator. So the expression ‘i++ && j++ && k++’ is executed first. The result of this expression is 0 (-1 && -1 && 0 = 0). Now the expression is 0 || 2 which evaluates to 1 (because OR operator always gives 1 except for ‘0 || 0’ combination- for which it gives 0). So the value of m is 1. The values of other variables are also incremented by 1. 8. main() { char *p; printf("%d %d ",sizeof(*p),sizeof(p)); } Answer: 1 2 Explanation: The sizeof() operator gives the number of bytes taken by its operand. P is a character pointer, which needs one byte for storing its value (a character). Hence sizeof(*p) gives a value of 1. Since it needs two bytes to store the address of the character pointer sizeof(p) gives 2. 9. main() { int i=3; switch(i) { default:printf("zero"); case 1: printf("one"); break; case 2:printf("two"); break; case 3: printf("three"); break; } } Answer : three http://www.exforsys.com Page 4 6/26/2004 4 Explanation : The default case can be placed anywhere inside the loop. It is executed only when all other cases doesn't match. 10. main() { printf("%x",-1<<4); } Answer: fff0 Explanation : -1 is internally represented as all 1's. When left shifted four times the least significant 4 bits are filled with 0's.The %x format specifier specifies that the integer value be printed as a hexadecimal value. 11. main() { char string[]="Hello World"; display(string); } void display(char *string) { printf("%s",string); } Answer: Compiler Error : Type mismatch in redeclaration of function display Explanation : In third line, when the function display is encountered, the compiler doesn't know anything about the function display. It assumes the arguments and return types to be integers, (which is the default type). When it sees the actual function display, the arguments and type contradicts with what it has assumed previously. Hence a compile time error occurs. 12. main() { int c=- -2; printf("c=%d",c); } Answer: c=2; Explanation: Here unary minus (or negation) operator is used twice. Same maths rules applies, ie. minus * minus= plus. Note: However you cannot give like --2. Because -- operator can only be applied to variables as a decrement operator (eg., i--). 2 is a constant and not a variable. 13. #define int char main() { int i=65; printf("sizeof(i)=%d",sizeof(i)); http://www.exforsys.com Page 5 6/26/2004 5 } Answer: sizeof(i)=1 Explanation: Since the #define replaces the string int by the macro char 14. main() { int i=10; i=!i>14;
Printf ("i=%d",i);
}
Answer:
i=0
Explanation:
In the expression !i>14 , NOT (!) operator has more precedence
than ‘ >’ symbol. ! is a unary logical operator. !i (!10) is 0 (not of true is false).
0>14 is false (zero).
15. #include
main()
{
char s[]={'a','b','c','\n','c','\0'};
char *p,*str,*str1;
p=&s[3];
str=p;
str1=s;
printf("%d",++*p + ++*str1-32);
}
Answer:
77
Explanation:
p is pointing to character '\n'. str1 is pointing to character 'a' ++*p. "p is
pointing to '\n' and that is incremented by one." the ASCII value of '\n' is 10,
which is then incremented to 11. The value of ++*p is 11. ++*str1, str1 is
pointing to 'a' that is incremented by 1 and it becomes 'b'. ASCII value of 'b' is
98.
Now performing (11 + 98 – 32), we get 77("M");
So we get the output 77 :: "M" (Ascii is 77).
16. #include
main()
{
int a[2][2][2] = { {10,2,3,4}, {5,6,7,8} };
int *p,*q;
p=&a[2][2][2];
*q=***a;
printf("%d----%d",*p,*q);
}
Answer:
SomeGarbageValue---1
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Explanation:
p=&a[2][2][2] you declare only two 2D arrays, but you are trying
to access the third 2D(which you are not declared) it will print garbage values.
*q=***a starting address of a is assigned integer pointer. Now q is pointing to
starting address of a. If you print *q, it will print first element of 3D array.
17. #include
main()
{
struct xx
{
int x=3;
char name[]="hello";
};
struct xx *s;
printf("%d",s->x);
printf("%s",s->name);
}
Answer:
Compiler Error
Explanation:
You should not initialize variables in declaration
18. #include
main()
{
struct xx
{
int x;
struct yy
{
char s;
struct xx *p;
};
struct yy *q;
};
}
Answer:
Compiler Error
Explanation:
The structure yy is nested within structure xx. Hence, the elements
are of yy are to be accessed through the instance of structure xx, which needs an
instance of yy to be known. If the instance is created after defining the structure
the compiler will not know about the instance relative to xx. Hence for nested
structure yy you have to declare member.
19. main()
{
printf("\nab");
printf("\bsi");
printf("\rha");
}
Answer:
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hai
Explanation:
\n - newline
\b - backspace
\r - linefeed
20. main()
{
int i=5;
printf("%d%d%d%d%d%d",i++,i--,++i,--i,i);
}
Answer:
45545
Explanation:
The arguments in a function call are pushed into the stack from left
to right. The evaluation is by popping out from the stack. and the evaluation is
from right to left, hence the result.
21. #define square(x) x*x
main()
{
int i;
i = 64/square(4);
printf("%d",i);
}
Answer:
64
Explanation:
the macro call square(4) will substituted by 4*4 so the expression
becomes i = 64/4*4 . Since / and * has equal priority the expression will be
evaluated as (64/4)*4 i.e. 16*4 = 64
22. main()
{
char *p="hai friends",*p1;
p1=p;
while(*p!='\0') ++*p++;
printf("%s %s",p,p1);
}
Answer:
ibj!gsjfoet
Explanation:
++*p++ will be parse in the given order

*p that is value at the location currently pointed by p will be taken

++*p the retrieved value will be incremented

when ; is encountered the location will be incremented that is p++ will be
executed
Hence, in the while loop initial value pointed by p is ‘h’, which is changed to ‘i’ by
executing ++*p and pointer moves to point, ‘a’ which is similarly changed to ‘b’
and so on. Similarly blank space is converted to ‘!’. Thus, we obtain value in p
becomes “ibj!gsjfoet” and since p reaches ‘\0’ and p1 points to p thus p1doesnot
print anything.
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23. #include
#define a 10
main()
{
#define a 50
printf("%d",a);
}
Answer:
50
Explanation:
The preprocessor directives can be redefined anywhere in the
program. So the most recently assigned value will be taken.
24. #define clrscr() 100
main()
{
clrscr();
printf("%d\n",clrscr());
}
Answer:
100
Explanation:
Preprocessor executes as a seperate pass before the execution of
the compiler. So textual replacement of clrscr() to 100 occurs.The input program
to compiler looks like this :
main()
{
100;
printf("%d\n",100);
}
Note:
100; is an executable statement but with no action. So it doesn't
give any problem
25. main()
{
41printf("%p",main);
}8Answer:
Some address will be printed.
Explanation:
Function names are just addresses (just like array names are
addresses).
main() is also a function. So the address of function main will be printed. %p in
printf specifies that the argument is an address. They are printed as hexadecimal
numbers.
27) main()
{
clrscr();
}
clrscr();
Answer:
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No output/error
Explanation:
The first clrscr() occurs inside a function. So it becomes a function
call. In the second clrscr(); is a function declaration (because it is
not inside any function).
28) enum colors {BLACK,BLUE,GREEN}
main()
{
printf("%d..%d..%d",BLACK,BLUE,GREEN);
return(1);
}
Answer:
0..1..2
Explanation:
enum assigns numbers starting from 0, if not explicitly defined.
29) void main()
{
char far *farther,*farthest;
printf("%d..%d",sizeof(farther),sizeof(farthest));
}
Answer:
4..2
Explanation:
the second pointer is of char type and not a far pointer
30) main()
{
int i=400,j=300;
printf("%d..%d");
}
Answer:
400..300
Explanation:
printf takes the values of the first two assignments of the program.
Any number of printf's may be given. All of them take only the first
two values. If more number of assignments given in the
program,then printf will take garbage values.
31) main()
{
char *p;
p="Hello";
printf("%c\n",*&*p);
}
Answer:
H
Explanation:
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* is a dereference operator & is a reference operator. They can be
applied any number of times provided it is meaningful. Here p
points to the first character in the string "Hello". *p dereferences it
and so its value is H. Again & references it to an address and *
dereferences it to the value H.
32) main()
{
int i=1;
while (i<=5) { printf("%d",i); if (i>2)
goto here;
i++;
}
}
fun()
{
here:
printf("PP");
}
Answer:
Compiler error: Undefined label 'here' in function main
Explanation:
Labels have functions scope, in other words the scope of the labels
is limited to functions. The label 'here' is available in function fun()
Hence it is not visible in function main.
33) main()
{
static char names[5][20]={"pascal","ada","cobol","fortran","perl"};
int i;
char *t;
t=names[3];
names[3]=names[4];
names[4]=t;
for (i=0;i<=4;i++) printf("%s",names[i]); } Answer: Compiler error: Lvalue required in function main Explanation: Array names are pointer constants. So it cannot be modified. 34) void main() { int i=5; printf("%d",i++ + ++i); } Answer: Output Cannot be predicted exactly. Explanation: http://www.exforsys.com Page 11 6/26/2004 11 Side effects are involved in the evaluation of i 35) void main() { int i=5; printf("%d",i+++++i); } Answer: Compiler Error Explanation: The expression i+++++i is parsed as i ++ ++ + i which is an illegal combination of operators. 36) #include
main()
{
int i=1,j=2;
switch(i)
{
case 1: printf("GOOD");
break;
case j: printf("BAD");
break;
}
}
Answer:
Compiler Error: Constant expression required in function main.
Explanation:
The case statement can have only constant expressions (this
implies that we cannot use variable names directly so an error).
Note:
Enumerated types can be used in case statements.
37) main()
{
int i;
printf("%d",scanf("%d",&i)); // value 10 is given as input here
}
Answer:
1
Explanation:
Scanf returns number of items successfully read and not 1/0. Here
10 is given as input which should have been scanned successfully.
So number of items read is 1.
38) #define f(g,g2) g##g2
main()
{
int var12=100;
printf("%d",f(var,12));
}
Answer:
100
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39) main()
{
int i=0;
for(;i++;printf("%d",i)) ;
printf("%d",i);
}
Answer:
1
Explanation:
before entering into the for loop the checking condition is
"evaluated". Here it evaluates to 0 (false) and comes out of the
loop, and i is incremented (note the semicolon after the for loop).
40) #include
main()
{
char s[]={'a','b','c','\n','c','\0'};
char *p,*str,*str1;
p=&s[3];
str=p;
str1=s;
printf("%d",++*p + ++*str1-32);
}
Answer:
M
Explanation:
p is pointing to character '\n'.str1 is pointing to character 'a' ++*p
meAnswer:"p is pointing to '\n' and that is incremented by one."
the ASCII value of '\n' is 10. then it is incremented to 11. the value
of ++*p is 11. ++*str1 meAnswer:"str1 is pointing to 'a' that is
incremented by 1 and it becomes 'b'. ASCII value of 'b' is 98. both
11 and 98 is added and result is subtracted from 32.
i.e. (11+98-32)=77("M");
41) #include
main()
{
struct xx
{
int x=3;
char name[]="hello";
};
struct xx *s=malloc(sizeof(struct xx));
printf("%d",s->x);
printf("%s",s->name);
}
Answer:
Compiler Error
Explanation:
Initialization should not be done for structure members inside the
structure declaration
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42) #include
main()
{
struct xx
{
int x;
struct yy
{
char s;
struct xx *p;
};
struct yy *q;
};
}
Answer:
Compiler Error
Explanation:
in the end of nested structure yy a member have to be declared.
43) main()
{
extern int i;
i=20;
printf("%d",sizeof(i));
}
Answer:
Linker error: undefined symbol '_i'.
Explanation:
extern declaration specifies that the variable i is defined
somewhere else. The compiler passes the external variable to be
resolved by the linker. So compiler doesn't find an error. During
linking the linker searches for the definition of i. Since it is not
found the linker flags an error.
44) main()
{
printf("%d", out);
}
int out=100;
Answer:
Compiler error: undefined symbol out in function main.
Explanation:
The rule is that a variable is available for use from the point of
declaration. Even though a is a global variable, it is not available
for main. Hence an error.
45) main()
{
extern out;
printf("%d", out);
}
int out=100;
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Answer:
100
Explanation:
This is the correct way of writing the previous program.
46) main()
{
show();
}
void show()
{
printf("I'm the greatest");
}
Answer:
Compier error: Type mismatch in redeclaration of show.
Explanation:
When the compiler sees the function show it doesn't know anything
about it. So the default return type (ie, int) is assumed. But when
compiler sees the actual definition of show mismatch occurs since it
is declared as void. Hence the error.
The solutions are as follows:
1. declare void show() in main() .
2. define show() before main().
3. declare extern void show() before the use of show().
47) main( )
{
int a[2][3][2] = {{{2,4},{7,8},{3,4}},{{2,2},{2,3},{3,4}}};
printf(“%u %u %u %d \n”,a,*a,**a,***a);
printf(“%u %u %u %d \n”,a+1,*a+1,**a+1,***a+1);
}
Answer:
100, 100, 100, 2
114, 104, 102, 3
Explanation:
The given array is a 3-D one. It can also be viewed as a 1-D array.
2 4 7 8 3 4 2 2 2 3 3 4
100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122
thus, for the first printf statement a, *a, **a give address of first
element . since the indirection ***a gives the value. Hence, the
first line of the output.
for the second printf a+1 increases in the third dimension thus
points to value at 114, *a+1 increments in second dimension thus
points to 104, **a +1 increments the first dimension thus points to
102 and ***a+1 first gets the value at first location and then
increments it by 1. Hence, the output.
48) main( )
{
int a[ ] = {10,20,30,40,50},j,*p;
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for(j=0; j<5; j++) { printf(“%d” ,*a); a++; } p = a; for(j=0; j<5; j++) { printf(“%d ” ,*p); p++; } } Answer: Compiler error: lvalue required. Explanation: Error is in line with statement a++. The operand must be an lvalue and may be of any of scalar type for the any operator, array name only when subscripted is an lvalue. Simply array name is a nonmodifiable lvalue. **49) main( ) { static int a[ ] = {0,1,2,3,4}; int *p[ ] = {a,a+1,a+2,a+3,a+4}; int **ptr = p; ptr++; printf(“\n %d %d %d”, ptr-p, *ptr-a, **ptr); *ptr++; printf(“\n %d %d %d”, ptr-p, *ptr-a, **ptr); *++ptr; printf(“\n %d %d %d”, ptr-p, *ptr-a, **ptr); ++*ptr; printf(“\n %d %d %d”, ptr-p, *ptr-a, **ptr); } Answer: 111 222 333 344 Explanation: Let us consider the array and the two pointers with some address a 0 1 2 3 4 100 102 104 106 108 p 100 102 104 106 108 1000 1002 1004 1006 1008 ptr 1000 2000 After execution of the instruction ptr++ value in ptr becomes 1002, if scaling factor for integer is 2 bytes. Now ptr – p is value in ptr – http://www.exforsys.com Page 16 6/26/2004 16 starting location of array p, (1002 – 1000) / (scaling factor) = 1, *ptr – a = value at address pointed by ptr – starting value of array a, 1002 has a value 102 so the value is (102 – 100)/(scaling factor) = 1, **ptr is the value stored in the location pointed by the pointer of ptr = value pointed by value pointed by 1002 = value pointed by 102 = 1. Hence the output of the firs printf is 1, 1, 1. After execution of *ptr++ increments value of the value in ptr by scaling factor, so it becomes1004. Hence, the outputs for the second printf are ptr – p = 2, *ptr – a = 2, **ptr = 2. After execution of *++ptr increments value of the value in ptr by scaling factor, so it becomes1004. Hence, the outputs for the third printf are ptr – p = 3, *ptr – a = 3, **ptr = 3. After execution of ++*ptr value in ptr remains the same, the value pointed by the value is incremented by the scaling factor. So the value in array p at location 1006 changes from 106 10 108,. Hence, the outputs for the fourth printf are ptr – p = 1006 – 1000 = 3, *ptr – a = 108 – 100 = 4, **ptr = 4. 50) main( ) { char *q; int j; for (j=0; j<3; j++) scanf(“%s” ,(q+j)); for (j=0; j<3; j++) printf(“%c” ,*(q+j)); for (j=0; j<3; j++) printf(“%s” ,(q+j)); } Explanation: Here we have only one pointer to type char and since we take input in the same pointer thus we keep writing over in the same location, each time shifting the pointer value by 1. Suppose the inputs are MOUSE, TRACK and VIRTUAL. Then for the first input suppose the pointer starts at location 100 then the input one is stored as M O U S E \0 When the second input is given the pointer is incremented as j value becomes 1, so the input is filled in memory starting from 101. M T R A C K \0 The third input starts filling from the location 102 M T V I R T U A L \0 This is the final value stored . The first printf prints the values at the position q, q+1 and q+2 = M T V The second printf prints three strings starting from locations q, q+1, q+2 i.e MTVIRTUAL, TVIRTUAL and VIRTUAL. 51) main( ) { void *vp; char ch = ‘g’, *cp = “goofy”; int j = 20; http://www.exforsys.com Page 17 6/26/2004 17 vp = &ch; printf(“%c”, *(char *)vp); vp = &j; printf(“%d”,*(int *)vp); vp = cp; printf(“%s”,(char *)vp + 3); } Answer: g20fy Explanation: Since a void pointer is used it can be type casted to any other type pointer. vp = &ch stores address of char ch and the next statement prints the value stored in vp after type casting it to the proper data type pointer. the output is ‘g’. Similarly the output from second printf is ‘20’. The third printf statement type casts it to print the string from the 4th value hence the output is ‘fy’. Part1  |    Part2   |     ; Part3  |    ; Part4