C Interview Questions

Q1. What are the basic Datatypes supported in C Programming Language?

Ans: The Datatypes in C Language are broadly classified into 4 categories.

They are as follows:

 Basic Datatypes
 Derived Datatypes
 Enumerated Datatypes
 Void Datatypes

The Basic Datatypes supported in C Language are as follows:

Datatype Name Datatype Size Datatype Range

char
short 1 byte -128 to 127
unsigned short 1 byte 0 to 255
char 1 byte -128 to 127
unsigned char 1 byte 0 to 255
int 2 bytes -32,768 to 32,767
unsigned int 2 bytes 0 to 65,535
-2,147,483,648 to
long 4 bytes
2,147,483,647
unsigned long 4 bytes 0 to 4,294,967,295
float 4 bytes 3.4E-38 to 3.4E+38
double 8 bytes 1.7E-308 to 1.7E+308
long double 10 bytes 3.4E-4932 to 1.1E+4932

Q2. What do you mean by Dangling Pointer Variable in C Programming?

Ans: A Pointer in C Programming is used to point the memory location of an

existing variable. In case if that particular variable is deleted and the Pointer is
still pointing to the same memory location, then that particular pointer variable
is called as a Dangling Pointer Variable.

Q3. What do you mean by the Scope of the variable? What is the scope of
the variables in C?
Ans: Scope of the variable can be defined as the part of the code area where the
variables declared in the program can be accessed directly. In C, all identifiers
are lexically (or statically) scoped.

Q4. What are static variables and functions?

Ans: The variables and functions that are declared using the keyword Static are
considered as Static Variable and Static Functions. The variables declared using
Static keyword will have their scope restricted to the function in which they are
declared.

Q5. Differentiate between calloc() and malloc()

Ans: calloc() and malloc() are memory dynamic memory allocating functions.
The only difference between them is that calloc() will load all the assigned
memory locations with value 0 but malloc() will not.

Q6. What are the valid places where the programmer can apply Break
Control Statement?

Ans: Break Control statement is valid to be used inside a loop and Switch
control statements.

Q7. How can we store a negative integer?

Ans: To store a negative integer, we need to follow the following steps.

Calculate the two’s complement of the same positive integer.

Eg: 1011 (-5)

Step-1 − One’s complement of 5: 1010

Step-2 − Add 1 to above, giving 1011, which is -5

Q8. Differentiate between Actual Parameters and Formal Parameters.

Ans: The Parameters which are sent from main function to the subdivided
function are called as Actual Parameters and the parameters which are
declared a the Subdivided function end are called as Formal Parameters.

Q9. Can a C program be compiled or executed in the absence of a main()?

Ans: The program will be compiled but will not be executed. To execute any C
program, main() is required.

Q10. What do you mean by a Nested Structure?

Ans: When a data member of one structure is referred by the data member of
another function, then the structure is called a Nested Structure.

Q11. What is a C Token?

Ans: Keywords, Constants, Special Symbols, Strings, Operators,

Identifiers used in C program are referred to as C Tokens.

Q12. What is Preprocessor?

Ans: A Preprocessor Directive is considered as a built-in predefined function or

macro that acts as a directive to the compiler and it gets executed before the
actual C Program is executed.

In case you are facing any challenges with these C Programming Interview
Questions, please write your problems in the comment section below.

Q13. Why is C called the Mother of all Languages?

Ans: C introduced many core concepts and data structures like arrays, lists,
functions, strings, etc. Many languages designed after C are designed on the
basis of C Language. Hence, it is considered as the mother of all languages.
Q14. Mention the features of C Programming Language.

Ans:

Q15. What is the purpose of printf() and scanf() in C Program?

Ans: printf() is used to print the values on the screen. To print certain values,
and on the other hand, scanf() is used to scan the values. We need an
appropriate datatype format specifier for both printing and scanning purposes.
For example,

 %d: It is a datatype format specifier used to print and scan

an integer value.
 %s: It is a datatype format specifier used to print and scan a string.
 %c: It is a datatype format specifier used to display and scan
a character value.
 %f: It is a datatype format specifier used to display and scan
a float value.

Q16. What is an array?

Ans. The array is a simple data structure that stores multiple elements of the
same datatype in a reserved and sequential manner. There are three types of
arrays, namely,

 One Dimensional Array

 Two Dimensional Array
 Multi-Dimensional Array

Q17. What is /0 character?

Ans: The Symbol mentioned is called a Null Character. It is considered as the

terminating character used in strings to notify the end of the string to the
compiler.

Q18. What is the main difference between the Compiler and the
Interpreter?

Ans: Compiler is used in C Language and it translates the complete code into
the Machine Code in one shot. On the other hand, Interpreter is used in Java
Programming Langauge and other high-end programming languages. It is
designed to compile code in line by line fashion.

Q19. Can I use int datatype to store 32768 value?

Ans: No, Integer datatype will support the range between -32768 and
32767. Any value exceeding that will not be stored. We can either
use float or long int.

Q20. How is a Function declared in C Language?

Ans: A function in C language is declared as follows,

1return_type function_name(formal parameter list)

2{
3 Function_Body;
4}
Q21. What is Dynamic Memory allocation? Mention the syntax.

Ans: Dynamic Memory Allocation is the process of allocating memory to the

program and its variables in runtime. Dynamic Memory Allocation process
involves three functions for allocating memory and one function to free the used
memory.

malloc() – Allocates memory

Syntax:

1ptr = (cast-type*) malloc(byte-size);

calloc() – Allocates memory

Syntax:

1ptr = (cast-type*)calloc(n, element-size);

realloc() – Allocates memory

Syntax:

1ptr = realloc(ptr, newsize);

free() – Deallocates the used memory

Syntax:

1free(ptr);

Q22. What do you mean by Dangling Pointer Variable in C Programming?

Ans: A Pointer in C Programming is used to point the memory location of an

existing variable. In case if that particular variable is deleted and the Pointer is
still pointing to the same memory location, then that particular pointer variable
is called as a Dangling Pointer Variable.

Q23. Where can we not use &(address operator in C)?

Ans: We cannot use & on constants and on a variable which is declared using
the register storage class.
Q24. Write a simple example of a structure in C Language

Ans: Structure is defined as a user-defined data type that is designed to store

multiple data members of the different data types as a single unit. A structure
will consume the memory equal to the summation of all the data members.

1struct employee
2{
3 char name[10];
4 int age;
5}e1;
6int main()
7{
8 printf("Enter the name");
9 scanf("%s",e1.name);
10 printf("n");
11 printf("Enter the age");
12 scanf("%d",&e1.age);
13 printf("n");
14 printf("Name and age of the employee: %s,%d",e1.name,e1.age);
15 return 0;
16}

Q25. Differentiate between call by value and call by reference.

Ans:

Factor Call by Value Call by Reference

Actual arguments cannot be Operations are performed on
Safety
changed and remain safe actual arguments, hence not safe
Separate memory locations are
Memory Actual and Formal arguments
created for actual and formal
Location share the same memory space.
arguments
Argument Copy of actual arguments are
Actual arguments are passed
s sent
//Example of Call by Value method

Q26. Differentiate between getch() and getche().

Ans: Both the functions are designed to read characters from the keyboard and
the only difference is that
getch(): reads characters from the keyboard but it does not use any buffers.
Hence, data is not displayed on the screen.

getche(): reads characters from the keyboard and it uses a buffer. Hence, data is
displayed on the screen.

//Example

1#include<stdio.h>
2#include<conio.h>
3int main()
4{
5 char ch;
6 printf("Please enter a character ");
7 ch=getch();
8 printf("nYour entered character is %c",ch);
9 printf("nPlease enter another character ");
10 ch=getche();
11 printf("nYour new character is %c",ch);
12 return 0;
13}
//Output

Please enter a character

Your entered character is x
Please enter another character z
Your new character is z

Q27. Explain toupper() with an example.

Ans. toupper() is a function designed to convert lowercase words/characters

into upper case.

//Example

1#include<stdio.h>
2#include<ctype.h>
3int main()
4{
5 char c;
6 c=a;
7 printf("%c after conversions %c", c, toupper(c));
8 c=B;
9 printf("%c after conversions %c", c, toupper(c));
//Output:

a after conversions A
B after conversions B

Q29. Can I create a customized Head File in C language?

Ans: It is possible to create a new header file. Create a file with function
prototypes that need to be used in the program. Include the file in the ‘#include’
section in its name.

Q31. Explain Local Static Variables and what is their use?

Ans: A local static variable is a variable whose life doesn’t end with a function
call where it is declared. It extends for the lifetime of the complete program. All
calls to the function share the same copy of local static variables.

1#include<stdio.h>
2void fun()
3{
4 static int x;
5 printf("%d ", x);
6 x = x + 1;
7}
8int main()
9{
10 fun();
11 fun();
12 return 0;
13}
//Output

01
Q32. What is the difference between declaring a header file with < > and ”
“?

Ans: If the Header File is declared using < > then the compiler searches for the
header file within the Built-in Path. If the Header File is declared using ” ” then
the compiler will search for the Header File in the current working directory and
if not found then it searches for the file in other locations.

Q33. When should we use the register storage specifier?

Ans: We use Register Storage Specifier if a certain variable is used very

frequently. This helps the compiler to locate the variable as the variable will be
declared in one of the CPU registers.

Q34. Which statement is efficient and why? x=x+1; or x++; ?

Ans: x++; is the most efficient statement as it just a single instruction to the
compiler while the other is not.

Q35. Can I declare the same variable name to the variables which have
different scopes?

Ans: Yes, Same variable name can be declared to the variables with different
variable scopes as the following example.

1int var;
2void function()
3{
4 int variable;
5}
6int main()
7{
8 int variable;
9}

Q36. Which variable can be used to access Union data members if the
Union variable is declared as a pointer variable?
Ans: Arrow Operator( -> ) can be used to access the data members of a Union if
the Union Variable is declared as a pointer variable.

Q37. Mention File operations in C Language.

Ans: Basic File Handling Techniques in C, provide the basic functionalities

that user can perform against files in the system.

Function Operation
fopen() To Open a File
fclose() To Close a File
fgets() To Read a File
fprint() To Write into a File
In case you are facing any challenges with these C Programming Interview
Questions, please write your problems in the comment section below.

Q38. What are the different storage class specifiers in C?

Ans: The different storage specifiers available in C Language are as follows:

 auto
 register
 static
 extern

Q39. What is typecasting?

Ans: Typecasting is a process of converting one data type into another is known
as typecasting. If we want to store the floating type value to an int type, then we
will convert the data type into another data type explicitly.

Syntax:

1(type_name) expression;

Q40. Write a C program to print hello world without using a semicolon (;).

Ans:
1#include<stdio.h>
2void main()
3{
4 if(printf("hello world")){}
5}
//Output:

hello world

Q41. Write a program to swap two numbers without using the third
variable.

Ans:

1#include<stdio.h>
2#include<conio.h>
3main()
4{
5 int a=10, b=20;
6 clrscr();
7 printf("Before swapping a=%d b=%d",a,b);
8 a=a+b;
9 b=a-b;
10 a=a-b;
11 printf("nAfter swapping a=%d b=%d",a,b);
12 getch();
13}
//Output

Before swapping a=10 b=20

After swapping a=20 b=10

Q42. How can you print a string with the symbol % in it?

Ans: There is no escape sequence provided for the symbol % in C. So, to print
% we should use ‘%%’ as shown below.

1printf(<there are 90%% chances of rain tonight>;);

Q44. Explain the # pragma directive.

Ans: The following points explain the Pragma Directive.

 This is a preprocessor directive that can be used to turn on or off certain

features.
 It is of two types #pragma startup, #pragma exit and pragma warn.
 #pragma startup allows us to specify functions called upon program
startup.
 #pragma exit allows us to specify functions called upon program exit.
 #pragma warn tells the computer to suppress any warning or not.

Q45. What is Bubble Sort Algorithm? Explain with a program.

Ans: Bubble sort is a simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps through the
list, compares adjacent elements and swaps them if they are in the wrong order.
The pass through the list is repeated until the list is sorted.

The following code executes Bubble Sort.

1int main()
2{
3 int array[100], n, i, j, swap;
4 printf("Enter number of elementsn");
5 scanf("%d", &amp;amp;n);
6 printf("Enter %d Numbers:n", n);
7 for(i = 0; i&amp;lt;n; i++)
8 scanf("%d", &amp;amp;array[i]);
9 for(i = 0 ; i&amp;lt;n - 1; i++)
10 {
11 for(j = 0 ; j &amp;lt; n-i-1; j++) { if(array[j]&amp;gt;array[j+1])
12 {
13 swap=array[j];
14 array[j]=array[j+1];
15 array[j+1]=swap;
16 }
17 }
18 }
19 printf("Sorted Array:n");
20 for(i = 0; i &amp;lt; n; i++)
21 printf("%dn", array[i]);
22 return 0;
23}

Q47. Which structure is used to link the program and the operating
system?

Ans: The answer can be explained through the following points,

 The structure used to link the operating system to a program is file.

 The file is defined in the header
file “stdio.h”(standard input/output header file).
 It contains the information about the file being used, its current size and
its location in memory.
 It contains a character pointer that points to the character that is being
opened.
 Opening a file establishes a link between the program and the operating
system about which file is to be accessed.

Q48. What are the limitations of scanf() and how can it be avoided?

Ans: The Limitations of scanf() are as follows:

 scanf() cannot work with the string of characters.

 It is not possible to enter a multiword string into a single variable using
scanf().
 To avoid this the gets( ) function is used.
 It gets a string from the keyboard and is terminated when enter key is
pressed.
 Here the spaces and tabs are acceptable as part of the input string.

Q49. Differentiate between the macros and the functions.

Ans: The differences between macros and functions can be explained as

follows:
  Macro call replaces the templates with the expansion in a literal way.
 The Macro call makes the program run faster but also increases the
program size.
 Macro is simple and avoids errors related to the function calls.
 In a function, call control is transferred to the function along with
arguments.
 It makes the functions small and compact.
 Passing arguments and getting back the returned value takes time and
makes the program run at a slower rate.

Q50. Suppose a global variable and local variable have the same name. Is it
is possible to access a global variable from a block where local variables are
defined?

Ans: No. It is not possible in C. It is always the most local variable that gets
preference.