C Strings

A string constant is an array of characters just like an array of integers. It helps to work with words and sentences in C programming. Yet, an array of integers and character array are not the same as strings.

Learn basic of C programming before you begin with strings. If you are familiar with the C basics continue reading.

1. C Program Structure.
2. C Printing Output.
3. C Reading Input Values.
4. C Data Types.
5. C Arrays.

What is a String constant?

A string constant is a one-dimensional array of characters with is terminated by , also called a null character.

char firstname[] = { 'P', 'E', 'T', 'E', 'R', '\0'};

The value of a character is and each character in the string constant occupy  of memory. The syntax to initialize a string is very simple.

char name[] = "Rajesh";
/*where
  char = data type of string.
  name[]    = indicates that it is a character array or a string.
  "   "   =  double quotes show that the value is a string.
  Rajesh     = actual string value.
  */

The C compiler inserts a automatically, so there is no need to specify for every string that you create.

Reading and Printing String Constant

Reading input and writing out is an important part of the C programming language. To read a string constant use following syntax.

char name[10];
scanf("%s", &name)

You already know that is declared as a string of type char. The is a builtin function that read inputs of various data types. To tell that the input is a string use the modifier “%s”. But, can only read a single word like “Rajesh”, and not “Rajesh Kumar”.

To read a multi-word string use or do following.

scanf("%[^\n]s", name);

The modifier is used for printing strings. For example,

printf("%s", name);

String Example program

It is time to implement everything you learned so far about strings. In this C program,  you will perform two tasks.

1. read and print a single word string.
2. read and print a multi-word string.

Program Code

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
int main()
{
char input_name[35];
int choice;
/* Menu */
printf("Menu\n\n");
printf("1. Read Single Word\n");
printf("2. Read Multi-Word String\n");
printf("\n\n Enter your Choice:");
scanf("%d",&choice);
switch(choice)
{
case 1: 
    system("cls");
    printf("Enter Single Word:");
    scanf("%s", &input_name);
    printf("%s", input_name);
    break;
case 1:
    system("cls");
    printf("Enter Multi-Word:");
    scanf("%[^\n]s", &input_name);
    printf("%s", input_name);
    break;
}
system("pause");
return 0;
}

Output

Menu
1. Read Single Word
2. Read Multi-Word String
 Enter your Choice:1
Enter Single Word String:Paris
Paris
Press any key to continue . . .