printf() and scanf() in C

The printf() and scanf() functions are fundamental in C for input and output operations. They belong to the stdio.h (Standard Input Output) library, which provides basic input/output capabilities.

printf() function

The printf() function is used for output. It prints the given statement to the console.

Syntax:


printf("format string",argument_list);

Example:

                            
#include <stdio.h>
int main() 
{
  int num = 10;
  float pi = 3.14;
  char ch = 'A';
              
  printf("Integer: %d\n", num);
  printf("Floating point: %.2f\n", pi);
  printf("Character: %c\n", ch);
            
  return 0;
}

Output

Integer: 10
Floating point: 3.14
Character: A

scanf() function

The scanf() function is used to take input from the user and store it in variables. It uses format specifiers to determine the type of input.

Syntax:


scanf("format string",argument_list);

Example:

                
#include <stdio.h>
int main() 
{
 int age;
 float height;
 char name[50];
            
 printf("Enter your name: ");
 scanf("%s", name);
            
 printf("Enter your age: ");
 scanf("%d", &age);
            
 printf("Enter your height: ");
 scanf("%f", &height);
            
 printf("Name: %s\nAge: %d\nHeight: %.2f\n", name, age, height);
            
 return 0;
}

Output

Input:
Enter your name: John
Enter your age: 25
Enter your height: 5.9

Output:
Name: John
Age: 25
Height: 5.90