Monday, March 29, 2010

C Aptitude Questions -4

Questions 104
main()
{
unsigned int i=10;
while(i-->=0)
printf("%u ",i);
}
Answer:
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 65535 65534…..
Explanation:

Since i is an unsigned integer it can never become negative. So the expression i-- >=0 will always be true, leading to an infinite loop.

Questions 105
#include
main()
{
int x,y=2,z,a;
if(x=y%2) z=2;
a=2;
printf("%d %d ",z,x);
}
Answer:
Garbage-value 0

Explanation:
The value of y%2 is 0. This value is assigned to x. The condition reduces to if (x) or in other words if(0) and so z goes uninitialized.
Thumb Rule: Check all control paths to write bug free code.

Questions 106
main()
{
int a[10];
printf("%d",*a+1-*a+3);
}
Answer:

4

Explanation:
*a and -*a cancels out. The result is as simple as 1 + 3 = 4 !


Questions 107
#define prod(a,b) a*b
main()
{
int x=3,y=4;
printf("%d",prod(x+2,y-1));
}
Answer:

10

Explanation:
The macro expands and evaluates to as:
x+2*y-1 => x+(2*y)-1 => 10

Questions 108
main()
{
unsigned int i=65000;
while(i++!=0);
printf("%d",i);
}
Answer:
1

Explanation:
Note the semicolon after the while statement. When the value of i becomes 0 it comes out of while loop. Due to post-increment on i the value of i while printing is 1.

Questions 109
main()
{
int i=0;
while(+(+i--)!=0)
i-=i++;
printf("%d",i);
}
Answer:
-1

Explanation:
Unary + is the only dummy operator in C. So it has no effect on the expression and now the while loop is, while(i--!=0) which is false and so breaks out of while loop. The value –1 is printed due to the post-decrement operator.

Questions 110
main()
{
float f=5,g=10;
enum{i=10,j=20,k=50};
printf("%d\n",++k);
printf("%f\n",f<<2);
printf("%lf\n",f%g);
printf("%lf\n",fmod(f,g));
}
Answer:
Line no 5: Error: Lvalue required
Line no 6: Cannot apply leftshift to float
Line no 7: Cannot apply mod to float
Explanation:

Enumeration constants cannot be modified, so you cannot apply ++.Bit-wise operators and % operators cannot be applied on float values. fmod() is to find the modulus values for floats as % operator is for ints

C Aptitude Questions -3

Questions 94
main(){
char a[100];
a[0]='a';a[1]]='b';a[2]='c';a[4]='d';
abc(a);
}
abc(char a[]){
a++;
printf("%c",*a);
a++;
printf("%c",*a);
}
Explanation:
The base address is modified only in function and as a result a points to 'b' then after incrementing to 'c' so bc will be printed.

Questions 95
func(a,b)
int a,b;
{
return( a= (a==b) );
}
main()
{
int process(),func();
printf("The value of process is %d !\n ",process(func,3,6));
}
process(pf,val1,val2)
int (*pf) ();
int val1,val2;
{
return((*pf) (val1,val2));
}

Answer:
The value if process is 0 !

Explanation:The function 'process' has 3 parameters - 1, a pointer to another function 2 and 3, integers. When this function is invoked from main, the following substitutions for formal parameters take place: func for pf, 3 for val1 and 6 for val2. This function returns the result of the operation performed by the function 'func'. The function func has two integer parameters. The formal parameters are substituted as 3 for a and 6 for b. since 3 is not equal to 6, a==b returns 0. therefore the function returns 0 which in turn is returned by the function 'process'.

Questions 96
void main()
{
static int i=5;
if(--i){
main();
printf("%d ",i);
}
}
Answer:

0 0 0 0

Explanation:
The variable "I" is declared as static, hence memory for I will be allocated for only once, as it encounters the statement. The function main() will be called recursively unless I becomes equal to 0, and since main() is recursively called, so the value of static I ie., 0 will be printed every time the control is returned.

Questions 97
void main()
{
int k=ret(sizeof(float));
printf("\n here value is %d",++k);

}
int ret(int ret)
{
ret += 2.5;
return(ret);
}
Answer:
Here value is 7
Explanation:
The int ret(int ret), ie., the function name and the argument name can be the
same. Firstly, the function ret() is called in which the sizeof(float) ie., 4 is passed, after the first expression the value in ret will be 6, as ret is integer hence the value stored in ret will have implicit type conversion from float to int. The ret is returned in main() it is printed after and preincrement.

Questions 98
void main()
{
char a[]="12345\0";
int i=strlen(a);
printf("here in 3 %d\n",++i);
}
Answer:

here in 3 6

Explanation:The char array 'a' will hold the initialized string, whose length will be counted from 0 till the null character. Hence the 'I' will hold the value equal to 5, after the pre-increment in the printf statement, the 6 will be printed.

Questions 99
void main()
{
unsigned giveit=-1;
int gotit;
printf("%u ",++giveit);
printf("%u \n",gotit=--giveit);
}

Answer:
0 65535

100) void main()
{
int i;
char a[]="\0";
if(printf("%s\n",a))
printf("Ok here \n");
else
printf("Forget it\n");
}
Answer:
Ok here

Explanation:
Printf will return how many characters does it print. Hence printing a null character returns 1 which makes the if statement true, thus "Ok here" is printed.

Questions 101
void main()
{
void *v;
int integer=2;
int *i=&integer;
v=i;
printf("%d",(int*)*v);
}

Answer:
Compiler Error. We cannot apply indirection on type void*.

Explanation:
Void pointer is a generic pointer type. No pointer arithmetic can be done on it. Void pointers are normally used for,
1. Passing generic pointers to functions and returning such pointers.

2. As a intermediate pointer type.

3. Used when the exact pointer type will be known at a later point of time.

Questions 102
void main()
{
int i=i++,j=j++,k=k++;
printf(“%d%d%d”,i,j,k);
}

Answer:
Garbage values.

Explanation:

An identifier is available to use in program code from the point of its declaration.

So expressions such as i = i++ are valid statements. The i, j and k are automatic variables and so they contain some garbage value. Garbage in is garbage out (GIGO).

Questions 103
void main()
{
static int i=i++, j=j++, k=k++;
printf(“i = %d j = %d k = %d”, i, j, k);
}

Answer:

i = 1 j = 1 k = 1

Explanation:

Since static variables are initialized to zero by default.

Questions 104
void main()
{
while(1){
if(printf("%d",printf("%d")))
break;
else
continue;
}
}
Answer:

Garbage values

Explanation:
The inner printf executes first to print some garbage value. The printf returns no of characters printed and this value also cannot be predicted. Still the outer printf prints something and so returns a non-zero value. So it encounters the break statement and comes out of the while statement.

C Aptitude Questions -2

Questions 83
# include
aaa() {
printf("hi");
}
bbb(){
printf("hello");
}
ccc(){
printf("bye");
}
main()
{
int (*ptr[3])();
ptr[0]=aaa;
ptr[1]=bbb;
ptr[2]=ccc;
ptr[2]();
}
Answer:
bye

Explanation:
ptr is array of pointers to functions of return type int.ptr[0] is assigned to address of the function aaa. Similarly ptr[1] and ptr[2] for bbb and ccc respectively. ptr[2]() is in effect of writing ccc(), since ptr[2] points to ccc.

Questions 85
#include
main()
{
FILE *ptr;
char i;
ptr=fopen("zzz.c","r");
while((i=fgetch(ptr))!=EOF)
printf("%c",i);
}
Answer:
contents of zzz.c followed by an infinite loop

Explanation:
The condition is checked against EOF, it should be checked against NULL.

Questions 86
main()
{
int i =0;j=0;
if(i && j++)
printf("%d..%d",i++,j);
printf("%d..%d,i,j);
}
Answer:

0..0

Explanation:
The value of i is 0. Since this information is enough to determine the truth value of the boolean expression. So the statement following the if statement is not executed. The values of i and j remain unchanged and get printed.

Questions 87
main()
{
int i;
i = abc();
printf("%d",i);
}
abc()
{
_AX = 1000;
}
Answer:

1000

Explanation:
Normally the return value from the function is through the information from the accumulator. Here _AH is the pseudo global variable denoting the accumulator. Hence, the value of the accumulator is set 1000 so the function returns value 1000.
Questions 88
int i;
main(){
int t;
for ( t=4;scanf("%d",&i)-t;printf("%d\n",i))
printf("%d--",t--);
}
// If the inputs are 0,1,2,3 find the o/p
Answer:
4--0

3--1

2--2

Explanation:Let us assume some x= scanf("%d",&i)-t the values during execution will be,

t i x

4 0 -4

3 1 -2

2 2 0

Questions 89
main(){
int a= 0;int b = 20;char x =1;char y =10;
if(a,b,x,y)
printf("hello");
}
Answer:
hello

Explanation:
The comma operator has associatively from left to right. Only the rightmost value is returned and the other values are evaluated and ignored. Thus the value of last variable y is returned to check in if. Since it is a non zero value if becomes true so, "hello" will be printed.

Questions 90
main(){
unsigned int i;
for(i=1;i>-2;i--)
printf("c aptitude");
}
Explanation:
i is an unsigned integer. It is compared with a signed value. Since the both types doesn't match, signed is promoted to unsigned value. The unsigned equivalent of -2 is a huge value so condition becomes false and control comes out of the loop.

Questions 91
In the following pgm add a stmt in the function fun such that the address of 'a' gets stored in 'j'.
main(){
int * j;
void fun(int **);
fun(&j);
}
void fun(int **k) {
int a =0;
/* add a stmt here*/
}
Answer:

*k = &a

Explanation:
The argument of the function is a pointer to a pointer.

Questions 92:
What are the following notations of defining functions known as?
int abc(int a,float b)
{
/* some code */
}
ii. int abc(a,b)
int a; float b;
{
/* some code*/
}
Answer:

i. ANSI C notation

ii. Kernighan & Ritche notation

Questions 93
main()
{
char *p;
p="%d\n";
p++;
p++;
printf(p-2,300);

}

Answer:
300
Explanation:
The pointer points to % since it is incremented twice and again decremented by 2, it points to '%d\n' and 300 is printed.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

C Aptitude Questions -1

Questions 76
struct aaa{
struct aaa *prev;
int i;
struct aaa *next;
};
main()
{
struct aaa abc,def,ghi,jkl;
int x=100;
abc.i=0;abc.prev=&jkl;
abc.next=&def;
def.i=1;def.prev=&abc;def.next=&ghi;
ghi.i=2;ghi.prev=&def;
ghi.next=&jkl;
jkl.i=3;jkl.prev=&ghi;jkl.next=&abc;
x=abc.next->next->prev->next->i;
printf("%d",x);
}
Answer:

2

Explanation:
above all statements form a double circular linked list;abc.next->next->prev->next->i this one points to "ghi" node the value of at particular node is 2.

Questions 77
struct point
{
int x;
int y;
};
struct point origin,*pp;
main()
{
pp=&origin;
printf("origin is(%d%d)\n",(*pp).x,(*pp).y);
printf("origin is (%d%d)\n",pp->x,pp->y);
}

Answer:

origin is(0,0)
origin is(0,0)

Explanation: pp is a pointer to structure. we can access the elements of the structure either with arrow mark or with indirection operator.

Note: Since structure point is globally declared x & y are initialized as zeroes



Questions 78
main()
{
int i=_l_abc(10);
printf("%d\n",--i);
}
int _l_abc(int i)
{
return(i++);
}
Answer:

9

Explanation:
return(i++) it will first return i and then increments. i.e. 10 will be returned.


Questions 79
main()
{
char *p;
int *q;
long *r;
p=q=r=0;
p++;
q++;
r++;
printf("%p...%p...%p",p,q,r);
}
Answer:

0001...0002...0004

Explanation:++ operator when applied to pointers increments address according to their corresponding data-types.

Questions 80
main()
{
char c=' ',x,convert(z);
getc(c);
if((c>='a') && (c<='z'))
x=convert(c);
printf("%c",x);
}
convert(z)
{
return z-32;
}
Answer:

Compiler error

Explanation:
declaration of convert and format of getc() are wrong.

Questions 81
main(int argc, char **argv)
{
printf("enter the character");
getchar();
sum(argv[1],argv[2]);
}
sum(num1,num2)
int num1,num2;
{
return num1+num2;
}
Answer:

Compiler error.

Explanation:
argv[1] & argv[2] are strings. They are passed to the function sum without converting it to integer values.

Questions 82
# include
int one_d[]={1,2,3};
main()
{
int *ptr;
ptr=one_d;
ptr+=3;
printf("%d",*ptr);
}
Answer:

garbage value

C Aptitude Questions and Answers-8

Predict the output or error(s) for the following:
63. main()
{
int k=1;
printf("%d==1 is ""%s",k,k==1?"TRUE":"FALSE");
}

Answer:
1==1 is TRUE

Explanation:
When two strings are placed together (or separated by white-space) they are concatenated (this is called as "stringization" operation). So the string is as if it is given as "%d==1 is %s". The conditional operator( ?: ) evaluates to "TRUE".

64. main()
{
int y;
scanf("%d",&y); // input given is 2000
if( (y%4==0 && y%100 != 0) || y%100 == 0 )
printf("%d is a leap year");
else
printf("%d is not a leap year");
}

Answer:
2000 is a leap year

Explanation:
An ordinary program to check if leap year or not.

65. #define max 5
#define int arr1[max]
main()
{
typedef char arr2[max];
arr1 list={0,1,2,3,4};
arr2 name="name";
printf("%d %s",list[0],name);
}

Answer:
Compiler error (in the line arr1 list = {0,1,2,3,4})

Explanation:
arr2 is declared of type array of size 5 of characters. So it can be used to declare the variable name of the type arr2. But it is not the case of arr1. Hence an error.
Rule of Thumb:
#defines are used for textual replacement whereas typedefs are used for declaring new types.

66. int i=10;
main()
{
extern int i;
{
int i=20;
{
const volatile unsigned i=30;
printf("%d",i);
}
printf("%d",i);
}
printf("%d",i);
}

Answer:
30,20,10

Explanation:
'{' introduces new block and thus new scope. In the innermost block i is declared as,
const volatile unsigned
which is a valid declaration. i is assumed of type int. So printf prints 30. In the next block, i has value 20 and so printf prints 20. In the outermost block, i is declared as extern, so no storage space is allocated for it. After compilation is over the linker resolves it to global variable i (since it is the only variable visible there). So it prints i's value as 10.

67. main()
{
int *j;
{
int i=10;
j=&i;
}
printf("%d",*j);
}

Answer:
10

Explanation:
The variable i is a block level variable and the visibility is inside that block only. But the lifetime of i is lifetime of the function so it lives upto the exit of main function. Since the i is still allocated space, *j prints the value stored in i since j points i.

68. main()
{
int i=-1;
-i;
printf("i = %d, -i = %d \n",i,-i);
}

Answer:
i = -1, -i = 1

Explanation:
-i is executed and this execution doesn't affect the value of i. In printf first you just print the value of i. After that the value of the expression -i = -(-1) is printed.

69. #include
main()
{
const int i=4;
float j;
j = ++i;
printf("%d %f", i,++j);
}

Answer:
Compiler error

Explanation:
i is a constant. you cannot change the value of constant

70. #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:
garbagevalue..1

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 meAnswer:it will print first element of 3D array.

71. #include
main()
{
register i=5;
char j[]= "hello";
printf("%s %d",j,i);
}

Answer:
hello 5

Explanation:
if you declare i as register compiler will treat it as ordinary integer and it will take integer value. i value may be stored either in register or in memory.

72. main()
{
int i=5,j=6,z;
printf("%d",i+++j);
}

Answer:
11

Explanation:
the expression i+++j is treated as (i++ + j)

C Aptitude Questions and Answers -7

Predict the output or error(s) for the following:
52. int i,j;
for(i=0;i<=10;i++)
{
j+=5;
assert(i<5);
}

Answer:
Runtime error: Abnormal program termination.
assert failed (i<5), ,

Explanation:
asserts are used during debugging to make sure that certain conditions are satisfied. If assertion fails, the program will terminate reporting the same. After debugging use,
#undef NDEBUG
and this will disable all the assertions from the source code. Assertion
is a good debugging tool to make use of.

53. main()
{
int i=-1;
+i;
printf("i = %d, +i = %d \n",i,+i);
}

Answer:
i = -1, +i = -1

Explanation:
Unary + is the only dummy operator in C. Where-ever it comes you can just ignore it just because it has no effect in the expressions (hence the name dummy operator).

54. What are the files which are automatically opened when a C file is executed?
Answer:
stdin, stdout, stderr (standard input,standard output,standard error).

55. what will be the position of the file marker?
a: fseek(ptr,0,SEEK_SET);
b: fseek(ptr,0,SEEK_CUR);

Answer :
a: The SEEK_SET sets the file position marker to the starting of the file.
b: The SEEK_CUR sets the file position marker to the current position
of the file.

56. main()
{
char name[10],s[12];
scanf(" \"%[^\"]\"",s);
}
How scanf will execute?
Answer:
First it checks for the leading white space and discards it.Then it matches with a quotation mark and then it reads all character upto another quotation mark.

57. What is the problem with the following code segment?
while ((fgets(receiving array,50,file_ptr)) != EOF)
;
Answer & Explanation:
fgets returns a pointer. So the correct end of file check is checking for != NULL.

58. main()
{
main();
}

Answer:
Runtime error : Stack overflow.

Explanation:
main function calls itself again and again. Each time the function is called its return address is stored in the call stack. Since there is no condition to terminate the function call, the call stack overflows at runtime. So it terminates the program and results in an error.

59. main()
{
char *cptr,c;
void *vptr,v;
c=10; v=0;
cptr=&c; vptr=&v;
printf("%c%v",c,v);
}

Answer:
Compiler error (at line number 4): size of v is Unknown.

Explanation:
You can create a variable of type void * but not of type void, since void is an empty type. In the second line you are creating variable vptr of type void * and v of type void hence an error.

60. main()
{
char *str1="abcd";
char str2[]="abcd";
printf("%d %d %d",sizeof(str1),sizeof(str2),sizeof("abcd"));
}

Answer:
2 5 5

Explanation:
In first sizeof, str1 is a character pointer so it gives you the size of the pointer variable. In second sizeof the name str2 indicates the name of the array whose size is 5 (including the '\0' termination character). The third sizeof is similar to the second one.

61. main()
{
char not;
not=!2;
printf("%d",not);
}

Answer:
0

Explanation:
! is a logical operator. In C the value 0 is considered to be the boolean value FALSE, and any non-zero value is considered to be the boolean value TRUE. Here 2 is a non-zero value so TRUE. !TRUE is FALSE (0) so it prints 0.

62. #define FALSE -1
#define TRUE 1
#define NULL 0
main() {
if(NULL)
puts("NULL");
else if(FALSE)
puts("TRUE");
else
puts("FALSE");
}

Answer:
TRUE

Explanation:
The input program to the compiler after processing by the preprocessor is,
main(){
if(0)
puts("NULL");
else if(-1)
puts("TRUE");
else
puts("FALSE");
}
Preprocessor doesn't replace the values given inside the double quotes. The check by if condition is boolean value false so it goes to else. In second if -1 is boolean value true hence "TRUE" is printed.

C Aptitude Questions and Answers-6

Predict the output or error(s) for the following:
44. main()
{
extern out;
printf("%d", out);
}
int out=100;

Answer:
100

Explanation:
This is the correct way of writing the previous program.

45. 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().

46. 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.

47. main( )
{
int a[ ] = {10,20,30,40,50},j,*p;
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 non-modifiable lvalue.

48. 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 – 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.

49. main( )
{
void *vp;
char ch = ‘g’, *cp = “goofy”;
int j = 20;
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’.

50. main ( )
{
static char *s[ ] = {“black”, “white”, “yellow”, “violet”};
char **ptr[ ] = {s+3, s+2, s+1, s}, ***p;
p = ptr;
**++p;
printf(“%s”,*--*++p + 3);
}

Answer:
ck

Explanation:
In this problem we have an array of char pointers pointing to start of 4 strings. Then we have ptr which is a pointer to a pointer of type char and a variable p which is a pointer to a pointer to a pointer of type char. p hold the initial value of ptr, i.e. p = s+3. The next statement increment value in p by 1 , thus now value of p = s+2. In the printf statement the expression is evaluated *++p causes gets value s+1 then the pre decrement is executed and we get s+1 – 1 = s . the indirection operator now gets the value from the array of s and adds 3 to the starting address. The string is printed starting from this position. Thus, the output is ‘ck’.

51. main()
{
int i, n;
char *x = “girl”;
n = strlen(x);
*x = x[n];
for(i=0; i
{
printf(“%s\n”,x);
x++;
}
}

Answer:
(blank space)
irl
rl
l

Explanation:
Here a string (a pointer to char) is initialized with a value “girl”. The strlen function returns the length of the string, thus n has a value 4. The next statement assigns value at the nth location (‘\0’) to the first location. Now the string becomes “\0irl” . Now the printf statement prints the string after each iteration it increments it starting position. Loop starts from 0 to 4. The first time x[0] = ‘\0’ hence it prints nothing and pointer value is incremented. The second time it prints from x[1] i.e “irl” and the third time it prints “rl” and the last time it prints “l” and the loop terminates.

52.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.

C Aptitude Questions and Answers-5

Predict the output or error(s) for the following:
36. 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.

37. #define f(g,g2) g##g2
main()
{
int var12=100;
printf("%d",f(var,12));
}

Answer:
100

38. 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).

39. #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");

40. #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

41. #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

42. 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.

43. 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.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

C questions

Question: If we write C code in Turbo C compile and get an executable
out of it, will we be able to run the executable in Unix or
Linux ?Why?
Answer:

No, it won't run on a system other than what the compiler is targetting. Why? Because compilers are written to use libraries and these libraries are OS dependent. E.g. a program compiled for Windows has code to open and output to windows. That window support is not available in Linux or Unix.

C Aptitude Questions and Answers-4

25. main()
{
printf("%p",main);
}

Answer:
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.

26. main()
{
clrscr();
}
clrscr();

Answer:
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).

27. 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.

28. 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

29. 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.

30. main()
{
char *p;
p="Hello";
printf("%c\n",*&*p);
}

Answer:
H

Explanation:
* 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. void main()
{
int i=5;
printf("%d",i++ + ++i);
}

Answer:
Output Cannot be predicted exactly.

Explanation:
Side effects are involved in the evaluation of i

34. 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.

35. #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.

Difference between pre-increment and post-increment

++x is pre-increment and x++ is post-increment that is in the first x is incremented before being used and in the second x is incremented after being used.

Program:
#include
#include

int main(int argc, char **argp)
{
int x = 5;

printf("x=%d\n", ++x);
printf("x=%d\n", x++);
printf("x=%d\n", x);

return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}


output:
x=6
x=6
x=7

Explanation:
In the first printf statement x is incremented before being passed to printf so the value 6 is output, in the second x is passed to printf (so 6 is output) and then incremented and the 3rd printf statement just shows that post increment following the previous statement by outputting x again which now has the value 7.



Q.Why is the pre-increment operator (e.g. ++a) faster than the post-increment operator (e.g. a++)?

Whenever u do post increment, the value of variable is stored in a temporary location ( say any register ) and then the value of that variable is incremented and stored in its mem location.
After incr operation value from register or temp location is stored in whatever it is assigned to
for e;g i=a++, then value of "a" stored in reg will be stored in i.

preincrement doesnot involve the register operation so it is some what faster then post increment.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

words

1.sermon-a long talk in which someone tries to give you moral advice that you do not want - used to show disapproval [= lecture]
ex:The moment he starts his sermons, you may be thinking 'Here we go again!'
2.sequel-a book, film, play etc that continues the story of an earlier one, usually written or made by the same person [↪ prequel]:
ex:'Star Wars' and its sequels
3.frivolity-behaviour or activities that are not serious or sensible, especially when you should be serious or sensible.
ex:I don't think such frivolity helps the organization's public image.
4.saturation point-a situation in which no more people or things can be added because there are already too many.
ex:The number of summer tourists in the area has reached saturation point.
5.nagging-always complaining.
ex: naggging husband
6. perspective-a way of thinking about something, especially one which is influenced by the type of person you are or by your experiences.
ex:His father's death gave him a whole new perspective on life.
7.scron-the feeling that someone or something is stupid or does not deserve respect[= contempt]
ex:He felt scorn for his working-class parents.
8.glimpse-a quick look at someone or something that does not allow you to see them clearly
ex:They caught a glimpse of a dark green car.
9.respite-a short time when something bad stops happening, so that the situation is temporarily better.
ex:The trip was a welcome respite from the pressures of work.
10.inflammation-swelling and pain in part of your body, which is often red and feels hot.
ex:inflammation of the colon

my links

pointer tutorials-http://c-pointer.blogspot.com/2009/06/far-pointer-in-c-programming.html
scjp-http://www.xyzws.com/scjp/SGS11/1/1,http://java2share.com/SCJP/SCJP_Tutorials/?s=1
comparing c++ and java-http://www.vyoms.com/articles/details/comparing-c-and-java-666.asp
expert answers-http://www.allexperts.com/
java faqs-http://www.codestyle.org/java/faq-API.shtml


http://www.learn-mysql-tutorial.com/Install.cfm#h1.1

C Aptitude Questions and Answers-3

Predict the output or error(s) for the following:
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

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:
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
Ø *p that is value at the location currently pointed by p will be taken
Ø ++*p the retrieved value will be incremented
Ø 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.

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

C Aptitude Questions and Answers-2

Predict the output or error(s) for the following:
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

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));
}

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).

C Aptitude Questions and Answers-1

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

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,
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 .

extern variable has program scope in c

extern variable has program scope in c

If declared an extern variables or function globally then its visibility will whole the program which may contain one file or many files. For example consider a c program which has written in two files named as one.c and two.c:
(a)

//one.c

#include
int i=25; //By default extern variable
int j=5; //By default extern variable
/**
Above two line is initialization of variable i and j.
*/
void main(){
clrscr();
sum();
getch();
}

//two.c

#include
extern int i; //Declaration of variable i.
extern int j; //Declaration of variable j.
/**
Above two lines will search the initialization statement of variable i and j either in two.c (if initialized variable is static or extern) or one.c (if initialized variable is extern)
*/
void sum(){
int s;
s=i+j;
printf("%d",s);
}

Compile and execute above two file one.c and two.c at the same time:

In Turbo c compiler

Step 1: Write above two codes in the file named as one.c and two.c (You can give any name as you like) and save it.


Step 2: In Turbo c++ IDE click on Project -> Open project menu as shown in following screen dump.











Step 3: After Clicking on open project you will get following screen:






In Open project File text field write any project name with .prj extension. In this example I am writing project name as CProject.PRJ. Now press OK button.

Step 4: After pressing OK button you will get following screen:





Now click on Project -> Add item menu.

Step 5: After clicking Add item you will get following screen:






In the name text field write down all c source code file one by one i.e. first write one.c and click on Add button
Then write two.c and click on Add button and so on




Step 6: At the end click on Done button. After clicking on done button you will get following screen:





At the lower part of window you can see project name, list of files you have added etc.
Step7: To compile the two files press Alt+F9 and to run the above program press Ctrl+F9

Note: To close the project click on Project -> Close project.

Output: 30

Hence we can say variable i and j which has initialized into two.c is also visible in file one.c. This example proves visibility of globally declared extern variable is program.

Note: In the above example function sum which was declared and defined in two.c has also storage class extern. So we can call from other file (one.c).If it will static then we cannot call function sum since static storage class is only visible to the file where it has declared.
An extern variables or functions have external linkage. An external linkage variables or functions are visible to all files.

Monday, March 15, 2010

NetBeans for C development in Windows

This tutorial is meant for people who want to develop applications in C using the NetBeans IDE. It uses the MinGW tools and not the cygwin tools.

I have found that cygwin is often used but I don't like/want to have a *nix environment installed in my system, I have my Ubuntu Linux for that. I also find that the few GBs that a cygwin installation can take up are somewhat abusive and really prefer the 65MB of a MinGW + MSys system. Other than that I like cygwin a lot ;)

This tutorial will tell you how to set up a C/C++ development environment in a windows machine. I have not tested it with the new Windows Vista and I don't know if MinGW and MSys are ready for Vista. This has been tested in Windows XP Professional Edition with SP3.

What I will not do is teach you how to write programs in C/C++ nor how to use the NetBeans IDE or the compiler and any of the tools that come with MinGW or MSys, just how to set them up.

TOC
Introduction

Bringing the GNU tools into MS Windows requires some experience in development and the use of tool chains. It's not easy to just grab the GNU port for MS Windows and start working with it. Therefor I recommend you follow the instructions in how to use thestable release.

But the stable release of the MinGw project has a few problems, mainly the use of older versions of the GNU tool, the last stable GCC version used is 3.4.5, which is a bit old. It's something the MinGw developers have chosen to stick with: using only official ports of the GNU tools. And for those that need a bit more updated versions, I have tried to explain how to setup the MinGw + MSYS environment using an alternative distribution of the MinGw package and some of the proposed and candidate versions of MSYS.

Needed tools:
Downloading and setting up

Using the stable releases is easiest way to install all the software. We will use the installers provided to configure everything

Java JDK and Netbeans IDE

Almost every computer has a Java Runtime Environment but JDK is not always installed. Although you only need JDK for Java development and not for C/C++, the Netbeans IDE needs to have a JDK in order to install and run. Use version 5.0 or above of the JDK.

You can find the Netbeans IDE on the netbeans page at http://www.netbeans.org. We will be using version 6.0, the Java JDK, which you need to run the IDE is available at http://java.sun.com. If you forgot do select the installer that includes the C/C++ module, you can install it from the update center, just go to Tools > Plugins > Avaliable Plugins, and find the one related to C/C++ development.

MinGW, MSYS, GDB and MSYS Supplementary Tools

Follow the download link from the MinGw project home page, http://www.mingw.org and find the installers for: Automated MinGW Installer, MSYS Base System, GNU Source-Level Debugger and MSYS Supplementary Tools.

Start by installing MingW using the automated installer, this is a small setup utility that will download the necessary files and install the MinGw system. It is better to place the automated installer inside a new folder as the downloaded files will be placed in the same folder as the installer.

After installing MinGw use the MSys installer, follow the instructions and when asked if you want to configure the installation, answer 'yes'. You'll need to provide the path to the MinGw installation folder, but notice that the back slash, '\', must be replaced by a forward slash, '/'.

Install the supplementary tools and the gdb, the supplementary tools go into the MSys base folder and the gdb is installed in the MinGw base folder.

This is an image of the folder I created and the files downloaded, I also placed the other installers inside this folder so that I would have everything I need at hand. If you save this folder, you don't need to download the stable release again as the automated installer will detect the files and use them instead of downloading new ones.

Configuring the system

The first thing to do is to configure your system path.

Go to the "Advanced" tab on Windows' System Properties and access the "Environment Variables"

On the "System Variables" select "Path" and press "Edit"

Edit the path to include:

  • "\1.0\bin"
  • "\bin"
  • "\lib"
  • "\include"

Make sure make.exe's folder is the first in you path. Make.exe's folder is the "bin" in MSys' installation folder.

We can now test and see if both the MSYS console and the MS DOS console recognize GCC, lets issue the gcc --version command on them:

Configuring the IDE - NetBeans 6.0

The current version of C/C++ will detect most, if not all, settings. You won't have nothing to configure and you're options panel should look something like this:

Note that I deselected the option to install the Fortran compiler when I installed MinGw, that's what causes the red warning in the options panel, but as I don't want to develop using Fortran, the missing compiler is not important.

The "Hello World" program

Now if you create a new project, you can see the option for C/C++ Development. Lets see if it works...

We can see that our project was created successfully and that all important files are present. This was all created by the wizard and I will not go through them in this tutorial.

We right click the "Source Files" item, select "New", then "Main C File...". Just follow the wizard's instructions and a new C file with a main function will be created. And here we can see the code completion feature in action, trying to complete the parameters for the scanf I'm writing.

If we compile and run the project, everything works fine, so this is all that is needed to have a fully functional development environment using the GNU tools in MS Windows