Format Specifiers in C

List of Format Specifiers in C

There are several format specifiers in C, and each specifier is used for a specific data type. Here are some of the commonly used format specifiers in C:

Examples of Format Specifiers in C

To use format specifiers in C, you need to include them in the printf() and scanf() functions. For example, to print an integer variable using the printf() function, you can use the following code:

1. Character Format Specifier – %c

When printing a character in C, the%c format specifier is utilised. One of the most utilised format specifiers in C is this one.

The compiler is informed that the printed data is a character via the %c format specifier. The result will then be formatted as a character with a single quotation around it by the compiler.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
	char ch = 'A';
	printf("The character is: %c", ch);
	return 0;
}

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Output

2. Integer Format Specifier (signed) – %d

To print an integer in C, use the%d format specifier. One of the most utilised format specifiers in C is this one.

The compiler is informed that the printed data is an integer by the%d format specifier. The output will subsequently be formatted by the compiler as an integer with the required number of digits and, if necessary, a leading zero.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
	int num = 10;
	printf("The value of num is: %d", num);
	return 0;
}

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Output

3. Unsigned Integer Format Specifier –  %u

Unsigned integer values can be formatted and printed using the%u format specifier in C. When using the printf function to display the value of an unsigned integer variable, this format specifier is frequently used.

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
   unsigned int unInt = 42;
   printf("The value of Unsigned int is: %u\n", unInt);
   return 0;
}

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Output

4. Floating Point Format Specifier – %f

In order to print a floating-point number in C, use the%f format specifier. One of the most utilised format specifiers in C is this one.

The compiler is informed that the printed data is a floating-point number by the format specifier %f. The compiler will subsequently format the output as a floating-point number with the correct amount of digits following the decimal point.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
	float num = 3.14159;
	printf("The value of num is: %f", num);
	return 0;
}

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Output

5. Octal Integer Format Specifier - %o

Octal (base 8) integer values in C are formatted and printed using the%o format specifier. This format specifier is generally used in conjunction with the printf function to show an integer variable's value in octal format.

Here is an illustration of how to use %o:

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
   int Int = 23;
   printf("The value of given integer in octal is: %o\n", Int);
   return 0;
}

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Output

6. Hexadecimal Integer Format Specifier - %x

To format and output integer values in hexadecimal (base 16) notation in C, use the%x format specifier. When using the printf function to display the value of an integer variable in hexadecimal form, this format specifier is frequently used.

Here is an example of how to use %x:

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
   int var = 255;
   printf("The hexadecimal value is: %x\n", var);
   return 0;
}

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Output

7. String Format Specifier – %s

To print a string in C, use the%s format specifier.  The compiler is informed that the printed data is a string by the format specifier %s. The compiler then formats the output as a string and is then contained in quotation marks.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
	char name[50];
	printf("Enter your name: ");
	scanf("%s", name);
	printf("Your name is %s\n", name);
	return 0;
}

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Output

8. Address Printing Format Specifier - %p

Memory addresses in C can be formatted and printed using the%p format specifier. To display the address of a pointer variable or any other memory location, it is commonly combined with the printf function.

Here is an illustration of how to use %p:

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
   int var = 24;
   int* ptr = &var;
   printf("Address of Variable: %p\n", (void*)ptr);
   return 0;
}

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Output

Frequently Asked Questions

What are type specifiers in C?

Type specifiers in C define the type of variables or functions, such as int, char, float, double, and are used in declarations.

What is %f and %d in C?

In C, %f is used to format floating-point numbers, while %d is used to format decimal integers in formatted output.

What is %d and %u in C?

In C, %d formats signed decimal integers, while %u formats unsigned decimal integers in output functions like printf.

Conclusion

With format specifiers, a crucial component of C programming, variables' input and output can be formatted in a particular way. The many format specifiers in C and ways in which we can utilize them were covered in this blog. Additionally, we looked at various C format specifier use examples.

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