U23CST21 - PROGRAMMING IN C

Question Set for Coaching Class

UNIT I – BASICS OF C PROGRAMMING

16-MARK QUESTIONS (Hints only)
1. Explain the structure of a C program with an example. Describe each component in
detail.
Key Points:
• Documentation Section
• Link Section
• Definition Section
• Global Declaration Section
• main() function section
• Subprogram Section (User-defined functions)
2. Discuss various data types in C. How are constants and keywords used in C
programming?
Key Points:
• Basic Data Types (int, char, float, double)
• Derived Data Types (arrays, pointers, structures, unions)
• Constants: #define, const keyword
• Keywords: List of reserved words in C (int, char, if, else, etc.)
3. Explain decision-making statements and looping statements in C with suitable
examples.
Key Points:
• if, if-else, nested if, switch
• for loop, while loop, do-while loop
• Syntax and examples
4. What is the compilation process in C? Explain the role of preprocessor directives.
Key Points:
• Steps: Preprocessing → Compilation → Assembly → Linking → Loading
• Preprocessor Directives: #include, #define, #ifdef

2-MARK QUESTIONS (Answer Key)

1. Define programming paradigms.
o Programming styles like procedural, object-oriented, etc.
2. What are enumeration constants?
o User-defined named integer constants using enum.
3. Name any two input/output statements in C.
o printf(), scanf()
4. Define precedence and associativity.
o Rules that determine the order of evaluation of operators.
5. List any four types of operators in C.
o Arithmetic, Relational, Logical, Assignment.
6. What is the purpose of the switch statement?
o Used for multi-way branching based on a variable’s value.
 7. Write the syntax of a while loop.
o while(condition) { statements; }
8. What are keywords? Give two examples.
o Reserved words like int, return.
9. What is the significance of the #define directive?
o To define symbolic constants.
10. What is an assignment statement?
• Assigns value to a variable, e.g., x = 5;

UNIT II – ARRAYS AND STRINGS

16-MARK QUESTIONS
1. Explain the declaration, initialization, and accessing of one-dimensional arrays with an
example.
Key Points:
• Declaration Syntax
• Initialization (static and dynamic)
• Accessing elements (indexing)
• Example program
2. How are two-dimensional arrays stored and accessed in C? Write a program for matrix
addition.
Key Points:
• Declaration and initialization of 2D arrays
• Row-major storage
• Accessing elements
• Program for matrix addition
3. Write and explain a C program to perform selection sort on an array.
Key Points:
• Selection Sort Algorithm
• Finding minimum element
• Swapping elements
• Complete C program
4. Write a C program to perform string operations: length, comparison, and concatenation.
Key Points:
• String handling functions (strlen(), strcmp(), strcat())
• Program demonstrating these operations

2-MARK QUESTIONS (Answer Key)

1. How do you declare a one-dimensional array?
o int arr[10];
2. Write the syntax for initializing a 2D array.
o int matrix[2][3] = {{1,2,3},{4,5,6}};
3. What is the default initial value of an array element?
o Garbage value unless initialized.
4. Define string in C.
o Array of characters ending with null character '\0'.
 5. Name any two string functions in C.
o strlen(), strcpy()
6. What does strcmp() function do?
o Compares two strings.
7. Mention the difference between strlen() and strcpy().
o strlen() gives length; strcpy() copies a string.
8. What is linear search?
o Search each element sequentially.
9. Define binary search.
o Search by repeatedly dividing the array into halves.
10. Write the syntax for accessing a character in a string.
o str[index];

UNIT III – FUNCTIONS AND POINTERS

16-MARK QUESTIONS
1. What is modular programming? How is it achieved in C using functions?
Key Points:
• Concept of Modular Programming
• Advantages
• Role of Functions
• User-defined and built-in functions
2. Explain recursion with an example. Write a recursive program for binary search.
Key Points:
• Definition of Recursion
• Base Case and Recursive Case
• Example program for binary search
3. Describe pointers and pointer arithmetic with examples.
Key Points:
• Pointer basics
• Pointer operations (+, -, ++, --)
• Examples demonstrating pointer arithmetic
4. Discuss array of pointers. Differentiate pass by value and pass by reference using
suitable examples.
Key Points:
• Array of Pointers concept
• Pass by value: copy passed
• Pass by reference: address passed

2-MARK QUESTIONS (Answer Key)

1. What is a function prototype?
o Declaration of function before main.
2. Define recursion.
o A function calling itself.
3. List two built-in string functions.
o strlen(), strcpy()
 4. What is the use of the math.h library?
o Provides mathematical functions like sqrt(), pow().
5. Write the syntax to declare a pointer.
o int *p;
6. What is pointer arithmetic?
o Performing operations like increment or decrement on pointers.
7. What is an array of pointers?
o Array storing addresses.
8. Differentiate pass by value and pass by reference.
o Value: copy; Reference: address.
9. How do you call a function in C?
o functionName(arguments);
10. Write an example to declare a function that returns an integer.
o int sum(int a, int b);

UNIT IV – STRUCTURES AND UNION

16-MARK QUESTIONS
1. Define structures. How do you declare, initialize, and access structure members? Give
examples.
Key Points:
• Structure definition
• Declaration and Initialization
• Access using dot operator
• Example
2. Explain nested structures and array of structures with suitable examples.
Key Points:
• Structure inside another structure
• Array of structures
• Example programs
3. What is dynamic memory allocation? Explain how it is used in singly linked lists.
Key Points:
• malloc(), calloc()
• Linked list node creation
• Insertion, Traversal operations
4. Differentiate between structures and unions with examples. Explain the use of typedef.
Key Points:
• Structure: separate memory
• Union: shared memory
• typedef usage

2-MARK QUESTIONS (Answer Key)

1. What is a structure?
o User-defined data type to group variables.
2. How do you access structure members?
o Using dot operator (.).
 3. Define nested structure.
o Structure inside another structure.
4. What is a pointer to a structure?
o Pointer that points to a structure variable.
5. Write the syntax for array of structures.
o struct student s[10];
6. Define self-referential structure.
o Structure containing pointer to same structure type.
7. What is dynamic memory allocation?
o Allocating memory during runtime.
8. What is typedef in C?
o Alias for data types.
9. Write a simple syntax to define a union.
o union item { int x; float y; };
10. List any two storage classes in C.
o auto, static.

UNIT V – FILE PROCESSING

16-MARK QUESTIONS
1. What are files in C? Explain file handling functions with examples.
Key Points:
• File definition
• File handling functions: fopen(), fclose(), fscanf(), fprintf()
2. Write a C program to create, write, and read from a sequential access file.
Key Points:
• fopen() with "w" and "r"
• fprintf() for writing
• fscanf() for reading
• Example program
3. Explain random access file operations with examples. How is it different from
sequential access?
Key Points:
• fseek(), ftell(), rewind()
• Random vs Sequential Access
• Example program
4. How are command line arguments used in C? Write a program to demonstrate it.
Key Points:
• argc and argv[]
• Passing arguments from terminal
• Example program

2-MARK QUESTIONS (Answer Key)

1. What is a file in C?
o Storage unit for storing data permanently.
2. Name any two file operations.
 o Reading, Writing.
3. Differentiate between sequential and random file access.
o Sequential: Ordered; Random: Direct access.
4. What function is used to open a file?
o fopen()
5. What function is used to read from a file?
o fscanf() or fread()
6. Write the syntax for closing a file.
o fclose(file_pointer);
7. What is a command line argument?
o Arguments passed to main during program execution.
8. Mention any two advantages of using files.
o Permanent storage, easy data sharing.
9. What does fseek() function do?
o Moves file pointer to a specified location.
10. Write the syntax for writing to a file using fprintf().
o fprintf(file_pointer, "format", values);