C Language - Cheat Sheet

10/9/24, 11:16 PM C Language - Cheat Sheet
C Language - Cheat Sheet

This C language cheat sheet gives a quick overview of C language concepts starting from
the basics to the advanced level. This cheat sheet is very useful for students, developers,
and those who are preparing for an interview. Go through this cheat sheet to learn all
basic and advanced concepts of C programming language.
Basis Structure of C Program

The basic structure of a C program gives you an idea about the basic statements that you
need to use to write a program in C language. The following is the basic structure of a C
program −
// Preprocessor directive/header file inclusion section

#include <stdio.h>
// Global declaration section
// the main() function

int main() {
// Variable declarations section
int x, y;
// other code statements section
// Return o
return 0;
}
// Other user-defined function definition section
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/cprogramming/c_language_cheatsheet.htm 1/27
#include <stdio.h>
#include is a preprocessor directive that includes the header file in the C program. The
stdio.h is a header file where all input and output-related functions are defined.
main() Function
The main() function is an entry point of a C program, the program's executions start from
the main() function.
The below is the syntax of the main() function −
int main() {
return 0;
}
Comments
There are two types of comments in C language. Single-line and multi-line comments.
Comments are ignored by the compilers.
Single-line Comments
Use // to write a single-line comment.
// This is a single-line comment
Multi-line Comments
Use /* and */ before and after the text to write multi-line comments in C language.
/*
This is line 1
This is line 2
..
*/
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Printing (printf() Function)

The printf() function is a library function to print the formatted text on the console output.
Whenever you want to print anything, use the printf().
Example
printf("Hello world");
User Input (scanf() Function)

The scanf() function is used to take various types of inputs from the user.
Here is the syntax of the scanf() function −
scanf("format_specifier", &variable_name);
Format Specifiers
The following is the list of C format specifiers that are used in printf() and scanf()
functions to print/input specific type of values.
Format Specifier Type
%c Character
%d Signed integer
%e or %E Scientific notation of floats
%f Float values
%g or %G Similar as %e or %E
%hi Signed integer (short)
%hu Unsigned Integer (short)
%i Unsigned integer
%l or %ld or %li Long
%lf Double
%Lf Long double
%lu Unsigned int or unsigned long
%lli or %lld Long long
%llu Unsigned long long
%o Octal representation
%p Pointer
%s String
%u Unsigned int
%x or %X Hexadecimal representation
Example
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
int age = 18;
float percent = 67.75;
printf("Age: %d \nPercent: %f", age, percent);
return 0;
}
Output
Age: 18
Percent: 67.750000
Data Types
The data types specify the type and size of the data to be stored in a variable. Data types
are categorized in 3 sections −
Basic Data Types
Derived Data Types

User-defined Data Types
Basic Data Types

The basic data types are the built-in data types in C language and they are also used to
create derived data types.
Data Type Name Description
int Integer Represents integer Value
char Character Represents a single character
float Float Represents float value
Derived Data Types

The derived data types are derived from the basic data types. The derived data types are
−
Array
Pointer
User-defined Data Types

The user-defined data types are created by the programmer to handle data of different
type and based on the requirements. The user-defined data types are −
Structures
Unions
Enumerations
Basic Input & Output

For basic input and output in C language, we use printf() and scanf() functions.
The printf() function is used to print the formatted text on the console.
printf("Hello world");
The scanf() function is used to take input from the user.
scanf("%d", &x); // Integer input

scanf("%f", &y); // float input
scanf("%c", &z); // Character Input

scanf("%s", name); // String input
Example of Basic Input and Output
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int num;
printf("Input any integer number: ");

scanf("%d", &num);
printf("The input is: %d\n", num);
return 0;
}
Output
Input any integer number: The input is: 0
Identifiers
C identifiers are user-defined names for variables, constants, functions, etc. The following
are the rules for defining identifiers −
Keywords can't be used as identifiers.
Only alphabets, underscore symbol (_), and digits are allowed in the identifier.
The identifier must start either with an alphabet or an underscore.
The same identifier can't be used as the name of two entities.
Identifiers should be meaningful and descriptive.
Examples of Valid Identifiers
age, _name, person1, roll_no
Keywords
C keywords are the reversed words in the C compiler, which are used for specific purposes
and must not be used as an identifier.
The following are the keywords in C language −
auto double int struct
break else long switch
case enum register typedef
char extern return union
continue for signed void
do if static while
default goto sizeof volatile
const float short unsigned
Variables
C variables are the name given to a storage area that our programs can use to access and
manipulate the data.
Syntax of Declaring a Variable
data_type variable_name;
Escape Sequences
Escape sequences are the special characters followed by the escape (backward slash \).
Escape sequences have special meanings and are used for printing those characters that
cannot be printed normally.
Here is the list of escape sequences in C language −
Escape sequence Meaning
\\ \ character
\' ' character
\" " character
\? ? character
\a Alert or bell
\b Backspace
\f Form feed
\n Newline
\r Carriage return
\t Horizontal tab
\v Vertical tab
\ooo Octal number of one to three digits
\xhh . . . Hexadecimal number of one or more digits
Operators
Operators are the special symbols that are used to perform specific mathematical or
logical operations.
Below are the operators used in C language −
Operators Symbols Description
Assignment Performs assignment operations i.e.,

=, +=, -=, <<=
Operators assigning values to variables.
Arithmetic
+, -, *, /, % Performs arithmetic operations.
Operators
Relational <, >, <=, >=,

Performs comparisons on two operands.
Operators ==, !=
Performs logical operations such as logical

Logical Operators &&, ||, !
AND, OR, and NOT.
&, ^, |, <<, >>,

Bitwise Operators Performs bitwise operations.
~
Performs conditional operation for decision-

Ternary Operator ?:
making.
Miscellaneous , sizeof, &, *, ⇒, Used for performing various other
Operators . operations.
Example of Operators
result = num1 + num2;

if(result >=10){
printf("Greater than 10.");
}
Conditional Statements
C language provides the following conditional statements −
if Statement
if-else Statement
if-else-if Statement
Nested if-else Statement
Switch Statement
Ternary Operator
if Statement
An if statement consists of a Boolean expression followed by one or more statements.
The syntax of if statement is −
if(boolean_expression) {
/* statement(s) will execute if the boolean expression is true */
}
if-else statement
An if-else statement can be followed by an optional else statement, which executes when
the Boolean expression is false.
The syntax of the if statement is −
if (Boolean expr){
Expression;
. . .
}
else{
Expression;
. . .
}
if-else-if Statement
The if-else-if statement is also known as the ladder if-else. It is used to check multiple
conditions when a condition is not true.
The syntax of if-else-if statement −
if(condition1){
}
else if(condition2){
}
…
else{
}
Nested if Statements
By using the nested if statements, you can use one if or else-if statement inside another if
or else-if statement(s).
The syntax of nested if statements −
if (expr1){
if (expr2){
block to be executed when
expr1 and expr2 are true
}
else{
block to be executed when
expr1 is true but expr2 is false
}
}
Switch Statement
A switch statement allows a variable to be tested for equality against a list of values.
The syntax of the switch statement is −
switch (Expression){
// if expr equals Value1

case Value1:
Statement1;
Statement2;
break;
// if expr equals Value2

case Value2:
Statement1;
Statement2;
break;
.
.
// if expr is other than the specific values above
default:
Statement1;
Statement2;
}
Ternary Operator
The ternary operator (?:) is also known as the conditional operator. It can be used as a
replacement for an if-else statement.
The syntax of the ternary operator is −
(condition) ? true_block: false_block;
Loops
C loops are used to execute blocks of one or more statements respectively a specified
number of times, or till a certain condition is reached. The following are the loop
statements in C language −
while Loop
do...while Loop
for Loop
while Loop
The while loop is an entry-control loop where the condition is checked before executing the
loop body.
The syntax of the while loop is −
while(test_condition){
// Statement(s);
}
do…while Loop
The do…while loop is an exit control loop where the body of the loop executes before
checking the condition.
The syntax of do…while loop is −
do{
// Statement(s);
}while(test_condition);
for Loop
The for loop is also an entry-controlled loop where the elements (initialization, test
condition, and increment) are placed together to form a for loop inside the parenthesis
with the for keyword.
The syntax of the for loop is −
for(initialization ; test condition ; increment){

// Statement (s);
}
Jump Statements
Jump statements are used to transfer the flow of the program from one place to another.
The following are the jump statements in C language −
goto Statement
break Statement
continue Statement
goto Statement
The goto statement transfers the program's control to a specific label. You need to define a
label followed by the colon (:). The goto statement can transfer the program's flow up or
down.
The syntax of the goto statement is −
label_name:
//Statement(s)
if(test_condition){
goto label_name;
}
break Statement
The break statement can be used with loops and switch statements. The break statement
terminates the loop execution and transfers the program's control outside of the loop
body.
The syntax of the break statement is −
while(condition1){
. . .
. . .
if(condition2)
break;
. . .
. . .
}
continue Statement
The continue statement is used to skip the execution of the rest of the statement within
the loop in the current iteration and transfer it to the next loop iteration.
The syntax of the continue statement is −
while (expr){
. . .
. . .
if (condition)
continue;
. . .
}
User-defined Functions
The user-defined function is defined by the user to perform specific tasks to achieve the
code reusability and modularity.
Example of user-defined function
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
// Function declaration
int add(int, int);
// Function definition
int add(int a, int b) { return (a + b); }
int main() {
int num1 = 10, num2 = 10;
int res_add;
// Calling the function

res_add = add(num1, num2);
// Printing the results

printf("Addition is : %d\n", res_add);
return 0;
}
Output
Addition is : 20
Arrays
An array is a collection of data items of similar data type which are stored at a contiguous
memory location. The data item may be primary data types (int, float, char), or user-
defined types such as struct or pointers can be stored in an array.
C Arrays can be of two types −
One-dimensional (1D) Array − A one-dimensional array is a single list of data

items of the same data type.
Multi-dimensional Arrays − A multi-dimensional array such as a two-

dimensional array is an array of arrays.
Syntax of Arrays
The following is the syntax of declarations of different types of arrays −
type array_name [size1]; // One-dimensional array

type array_name [size1][size2]; // Two-dimensional arrays
type array_name [size1][size2][size3]; // Three-dimensional arrays
Example of One-dimensional Array
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
int numbers[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
int i; // loop counter
// Printing array elements

printf("The array elements are : ");
for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
printf("%d ", numbers[i]);
}
return 0;
}
Output
The array elements are : 10 20 30 40 50
Example of Two-dimensional Arrays
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
int main () {
/* an array with 5 rows and 2 columns*/

int a[5][2] = { {0,0}, {1,2}, {2,4}, {3,6},{4,8}};
int i, j;
/* output each array element's value */

for ( i = 0; i < 5; i++ ) {
for ( j = 0; j < 2; j++ ) {
printf("a[%d][%d] = %d\n", i,j, a[i][j] );
}
}
return 0;
}
Output
a[0][0] = 0
a[0][1] = 0
a[1][0] = 1
a[1][1] = 2
a[2][0] = 2
a[2][1] = 4
a[3][0] = 3
a[3][1] = 6
a[4][0] = 4
a[4][1] = 8
Strings
C string is a sequence of characters i.e., an array of char data type, terminated by "null
character" represented by '\0'. To read and print the string using scanf() and printf()
functions, you will have to use the "%s" format specifier.
String Declaration
char string_name[size];
Reading String
scanf("%s", string_name);
Printing String
printf("%s", string_name);
Example of C strings
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
char name[20];
printf("Enter a name: ");

scanf("%s", name);
printf("You entered: %s", name);
return 0;
}
Strings Functions
C standard library string.h provides various functions to work with the strings. Here is the
list of C string functions −
Sr.No. Function Description
char Appends the string pointed to, by src to the end of the string
1
*strcat pointed to by dest.
char Appends the string pointed to, by src to the end of the string
2
*strncat pointed to, by dest up to n characters long.
char Searches for the first occurrence of the character c (an unsigned
3
*strchr( char) in the string pointed to, by the argument str.
Compares the string pointed to, by str1 to the string pointed to

4 int strcmp
by str2.
int
5 Compares at most the first n bytes of str1 and str2.
strncmp
Compares string str1 to str2. The result is dependent on the

6 int strcoll
LC_COLLATE setting of the location.
char
7 Copies the string pointed to, by src to dest.
*strcpy
char Copies up to n characters from the string pointed to, by src to

8
*strncpy dest.
size_t Calculates the length of the initial segment of str1 which

9
strcspn consists entirely of characters not in str2.
char Searches an internal array for the error number errnum and
10
*strerror returns a pointer to an error message string.
size_t Computes the length of the string str up to but not including the
11
strlen terminating null character.
char Finds the first character in the string str1 that matches any
12
*strpbrk character specified in str2.
char Searches for the last occurrence of the character c (an unsigned
13
*strrchr char) in the string pointed to by the argument str.
size_t Calculates the length of the initial segment of str1 which

14
strspn consists entirely of characters in str2.
Finds the first occurrence of the entire string needle (not

char
15 including the terminating null character) which appears in the
*strstr
string haystack.
char
16 Breaks string str into a series of tokens separated by delim.
*strtok
size_t Transforms the first n characters of the string src into current
17
strxfrm locale and places them in the string dest.
Structures
C structures are the collection of different data types. Structures are considered user-
defined data types where you can group data items of different data types.
Structure Declaration Syntax
struct struct_name {
type1 item1;
type2 item2;
.
.
}structure_variable;
Example of Structure
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
struct book{
char title[10];
char author[20];
double price;
int pages;
};
int main(){
struct book book1 = {"Learn C", "Dennis Ritchie", 675.50, 325};
printf("Title: %s \n", book1.title);

printf("Author: %s \n", book1.author);
printf("Price: %lf\n", book1.price);
printf("Pages: %d \n", book1.pages);
printf("Size of book struct: %d", sizeof(struct book));
return 0;
}
Output
Title: Learn C
Author: Dennis Ritchie
Price: 675.500000
Pages: 325
Size of book struct: 48
Unions
C union is a user-defined data type that allows to store set of data items of different data
types in the same memory location.
Syntax of Union Declaration
union [union tag]{

member definition;
member definition;
...
member definition;
} [one or more union variables];
Example of Union
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
union Data{
int i;
float f;
};
int main(){
union Data data;
data.i = 10;
data.f = 220.5;
printf("data.i: %d \n", data.i);

printf("data.f: %f \n", data.f);
return 0;
}
Output
data.i: 1130135552
data.f: 220.500000
Enumerations (enums)
C enumeration (enum) is an enumerated data type that consists of a group of integral
constants.
Syntax of enum Declaration
enum myenum {val1, val2, val3, val4};
Example of Enumeration (enum)
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
enum status_codes { OKAY = 1, CANCEL = 0, ALERT = 2 };
int main() {
// Printing values
printf("OKAY = %d\n", OKAY);
printf("CANCEL = %d\n", CANCEL);
printf("ALERT = %d\n", ALERT);
return 0;
}
Output
OKAY = 1
CANCEL = 0
ALERT = 2
Pointers
C pointers are derived data types that are used to store the address of another variable
and can also be used to access and manipulate the variable's data stored at that location.
Syntax of Pointer Declaration
data_type *pointer_name;
Syntax of Pointer Initialization

If you are declared a pointer, below is the syntax to initialize a pointer with the address of
another variable −
pointer_name = &variable_name;
Pointer Example
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int x = 10;
// Pointer declaration and initialization

int * ptr = & x;
// Printing the current value

printf("Value of x = %d\n", * ptr);
// Changing the value

* ptr = 20;
// Printing the updated value

printf("Value of x = %d\n", * ptr);
return 0;
}
Output
Value of x = 10
Value of x = 20
Type of Pointers
There are various types of pointers in C language. They are −
Null pointer
Wild pointer
Void pointer
Dangling pointer
Complex pointers
Far pointer
File pointers
Double pointers
Near pointer
Dynamic Memory Allocations

Memories for variables are declared at compile-time. C language provides some functions
for dynamic memory allocations that allow to allocation of memory for the variables at run
time.
The functions for dynamic memory allocation are −
malloc()
calloc()
realloc()
free()
malloc() Function
The malloc() function allocates the requested memory (number of blocks of the specified
size) and returns a pointer to it.
The syntax of malloc() function is −
malloc (size_t size);

calloc() Function
calloc() Function
The calloc() function allocates the requested memory (number of blocks of the specified
size) and returns the void pointer. The calloc() function sets allocated memory to zero.
The syntax of calloc() function is −
void *calloc(size_t nitems, size_t size)
realloc() Function
The realloc() function attempts to resize the memory block pointed to by a pointer that
was previously allocated with a call to malloc() or calloc() function.
The syntax of realloc() function is −
free() Function
The free() function deallocates the memory previously allocated by a call to calloc(),
malloc(), or realloc().
The syntax of realloc() function is −
File Handling
File handling refers to perform various operations on files such as creating, writing,
reading, deleting, moving, renaming files, etc. C language provides various functions for
file handling.
File Operations
The following are the operations that can perform a file using C language file handling
functions −
Creating a new file
Opening an existing file
Writing data to a file
Appending data to a file
Reading data from a file
Renaming a file
Deleting a file
Closing a file
File Handling Functions
Following is the list of file handling functions in C −
Function Description
fopen() Creates, and opens a file in various modes.
fclose() Closes a file.
fputc(), fputs(), fprintf() Writes data to a file.
fgetc(), fgets(), fscanf() Reads data from a file.
fwrite(), fread() Write and read data to/from a binary file.
rename() Renames a file.
remove() Deleted a file.
Example of File Handling

Here is an example of file handling in C language −
Open Compiler
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main() {
FILE *file;
char file_name[] = "my_file.txt";
char write_data[100] = "Tutorials Point";
char read_data[100];
// Opening file in write mode

file = fopen("file_name.txt", "w");
if (file == NULL) {
printf("Error\n");
return 1;
}
// Writing to the file
fprintf(file, "%s", write_data);
// Closing the file
fclose(file);
// Again, opening the file in read mode
file = fopen("file_name.txt", "r");

if (file == NULL) {
printf("Error.\n");
return 1;
}
// Reading data from the file

if (fgets(read_data, 100, file) != NULL) {
// Printing it on the screen
printf("File's data:\n%s\n", read_data);
}
fclose(file);
return 0;
}
Output
File's data:
Tutorials Point
Preprocessor Directives
The preprocessor directives are part of pre-compilation and start with the hash (#)
character. These directives instruct the compiler to expand include and expand the code
before starting the process of compilation.
Here is the list of preprocessor directives −
Directive Description
# define Substitutes a preprocessor macro.
#include Inserts a particular header from another file.
#undef Undefines a preprocessor macro.
#ifdef Returns true if this macro is defined.
#ifndef Returns true if this macro is not defined.
#if Tests if a compile time condition is true.
#else The alternative for #if.
#elif #else and #if in one statement.
#endif Ends preprocessor conditional.
#error Prints error message on stderr.
#pragma Issues special commands to the compiler, using a standardized method.
Example of Preprocessor Directive

This is an example of #define which is one of the preprocessor directives in C language −
#define MAX_ARRAY_LENGTH 20
Standard Libraries
Here is the list of commonly used libraries (C header files) −
Header
Usage
file
stdio.h Provides functions for standard input and outputs.
string.h Provides functions for various string operations.
math.h Provides function for mathematical operations.
Provides various utility functions for memory allocations, type

stdlib.h
conversions, etc.
time.h Provides date-time related functions.

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10/9/24, 11:16 PM C Language - Cheat Sheet

C Language - Cheat Sheet

Basis Structure of C Program

// Preprocessor directive/header file inclusion section

// Global declaration section

// the main() function

// other code statements section

The below is the syntax of the main() function −

// This is a single-line comment

Printing (printf() Function)

User Input (scanf() Function)

Here is the syntax of the scanf() function −

Format Specifier Type

%e or %E Scientific notation of floats

%hi Signed integer (short)

%hu Unsigned Integer (short)

%l or %ld or %li Long

%Lf Long double

%lu Unsigned int or unsigned long

%lli or %lld Long long

%llu Unsigned long long

int age = 18;

float percent = 67.75;

printf("Age: %d \nPercent: %f", age, percent);

Basic Data Types

Derived Data Types

Basic Data Types

Data Type Name Description

int Integer Represents integer Value

char Character Represents a single character

float Float Represents float value

Derived Data Types

User-defined Data Types

Basic Input & Output

The scanf() function is used to take input from the user.

scanf("%d", &x); // Integer input

scanf("%c", &z); // Character Input

Example of Basic Input and Output

printf("Input any integer number: ");

printf("The input is: %d\n", num);

Input any integer number: The input is: 0

Keywords can't be used as identifiers.

The identifier must start either with an alphabet or an underscore.

The same identifier can't be used as the name of two entities.

Identifiers should be meaningful and descriptive.

Examples of Valid Identifiers

age, _name, person1, roll_no

The following are the keywords in C language −

auto double int struct

break else long switch

case enum register typedef

char extern return union

continue for signed void

default goto sizeof volatile

const float short unsigned

Syntax of Declaring a Variable

Here is the list of escape sequences in C language −

Escape sequence Meaning

\' ' character

\" " character