Format Specifier in C:
In C programming, a format specifier is a string utilized in formatted
input and output functions. The format string, crucial in determining the
presentation of input and output, invariably commences with a '%'
character.
The following are commonly used format specifiers in the printf() function:
%d or %i: Used to display signed integer values. A signed integer
can encompass both positive and negative values.
%u: Employed for presenting unsigned integer values. An unsigned
integer, in this context, can only hold positive values.
%o: Outputs the octal representation of an unsigned integer. Octal
integer values always commence with a '0'.
%x: Prints the hexadecimal representation of an unsigned integer.
Hexadecimal integer values commence with '0x', and alphabetical characters
are in lowercase (e.g., a, b, c).
%X: Similar to %x, but with uppercase alphabetical characters (e.g.,
A, B, C).
%f: Used for printing decimal floating-point values. By default, it
displays six values after the decimal point.
%e/%E: Outputs values in scientific notation, also known as Mantissa
or Exponent.
%g: Presents decimal floating-point values using fixed precision,
ensuring that the value after the decimal in the input is exactly the same
as in the output.
%p: Displays the address in hexadecimal form.
%c: Outputs an unsigned character.
%s: Prints strings.
%ld: Utilized to display long signed integer values.
Let's understand the format specifiers in detail through an example.
1.Program to Using %d and %i in printf:
Program:
#include <stdio.h>
//int value to print using %d & %i
int main(){
int a=10;
printf("using %%d to print a=%d\n",a);
printf("using %%i to print a=%i\n",a);
}
Output:
using %d to print a=10
using %i to print a=10
2.Program to using %X print the int value in hexadecimal
Program:
#include<stdio.h>
int main(){
//print hexadecimal value of a using %X
int a=11;
printf("using %%X hexadecimal of a =%X\n",a);
printf("using %%#X hexadecimal of a =%#X\n",a);
}
Output:
using %X hexadecimal of a =B
using %#X hexadecimal of a =0XB
3.Program to all Format Specifier
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int integerVar = 42;
unsigned int unsignedVar
= 99;
char charVar = 'A';
float floatVar = 3.14;
double doubleVar =
2.71828;
long longVar = 123456789;
// Using %d to print a signed integer
printf("Signed Integer: %d\n", integerVar);
// Using %u to print an unsigned integer
printf("Unsigned Integer: %u\n", unsignedVar);
// Using %c to print a character
printf("Character: %c\n", charVar);
// Using %f to print a float
printf("Float: %f\n", floatVar);
// Using %lf to print a double
printf("Double: %lf\n", doubleVar);
// Using %ld to print a long integer
printf("Long Integer: %ld\n", longVar);
// Using %x to print an integer in hexadecimal
(lowercase)
printf("Hexadecimal (lowercase): %x\n", integerVar);
// Using %X to print an integer in hexadecimal
(uppercase)
printf("Hexadecimal (uppercase): %X\n", integerVar);
// Using %e to print a float in scientific
notation
printf("Scientific Notation: %e\n", floatVar);
// Using %g to print a float in a compact format
printf("Compact Format: %g\n", floatVar);
// Using %p to print the address of a variable
printf("Address: %p\n", (void*)&integerVar);
// Using %s to print a string
printf("String: %s\n", "Hello, World!");
return 0;
}
Output:
Signed Integer: 42
Unsigned Integer: 99
Character: A
Float: 3.140000
Double: 2.718280
Long Integer: 123456789
Hexadecimal (lowercase): 2a
Hexadecimal (uppercase): 2A
Scientific Notation: 3.140000e+00
Compact Format: 3.14
Address: 0x7ffd50b4ae4c
String: Hello, World!
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