Format specifiers - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a format specifier in C?

A format specifier is a special sequence in a string that tells the program how to display or read data, like %d for integers or %f for floating-point numbers.

beginner

What does the format specifier %d represent?

The %d specifier is used to print or read an integer (whole number) value.

intermediate

How do you print a floating-point number with 2 decimal places in C?

Use %.2f in the format string. For example, printf("%.2f", 3.14159) prints 3.14.

beginner

What format specifier is used to print a single character?

The %c specifier is used to print a single character.

beginner

How do you print a string in C using format specifiers?

Use %s to print a string. For example, printf("%s", "hello") prints hello.

Which format specifier is used to print an integer in C?

A %d

B %f

C %c

D %s

%d is used for integers, %f for floats, %c for characters, and %s for strings.

How would you print the floating-point number 3.14159 with 3 decimal places?

A %d

B %3f

C %f.3

D %.3f

Use %.3f to specify 3 decimal places for a float.

What does the format specifier %c print?

A A character

B A string

C An integer

D A floating-point number

%c prints a single character.

Which format specifier is used to print a string?

A %d

B %c

C %s

D %f

%s is used to print strings.

What will printf("%5d", 42); print?

A An error

B 42 with 5 spaces before it

C 42 with no spaces

D 42 with 5 spaces after it

The %5d specifier prints the integer right-aligned in a field 5 characters wide, adding spaces before the number.

Explain what format specifiers are and give three examples with their uses.

Think about how you tell the program to print different types of data.

Describe how to control the number of decimal places when printing a floating-point number in C.

Focus on the dot and number inside the format specifier.