How To Print A Variable Name In C?

Hridhya Manoj — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:49:40 +0000

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How To Print A Variable Name In C?

In C programming, variable names are essential for identifying and managing data within your code. However, the language itself does not provide a direct way to print the name of a variable. While you can easily print the value of a variable using functions like printf, determining and displaying the variable’s name within the program is a bit more challenging. This task often involves using various programming techniques and may not be a standard feature in C, as variable names are typically known only at compile time and are not available during runtime. In this guide, we’ll explore some strategies and workarounds to achieve the goal of printing variable names in C. How To Print A Variable Name In C?

How to print and store variables in a string variable?

Note:

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Whereas in C, the # directive is referred as ‘Stringizing Operator’. Hence, this #directive will turn the argument into a string.

#include  
#define getName(var)  #var 
  
int main() 
{ 
    int myVar; 
    printf("%s", getName(myVar)); 
    return 0; 
}

Output

myVar

To store the variable name in a string using the sprintf() in C

# include  
# define getName(var, str)  sprintf(str, "%s", #var)  
  
int main() 
{ 
    int myVar; 
    char str[20]; 
    getName(myVar, str); 
    printf("%s", str); 
    return 0; 
}

Output

myVar

FAQ- How to print a variable name in C?

Q1. How to print a variable in C ++\?

Ans. In C++, you can use cout to show the value of a variable or text on the screen. To do this, you use the “less than” symbol (<) twice, which is called the insertion operator (<<). After that, you put the data you want to display. This way, you can print numbers, text, or anything you like to the screen.

Q2. Can we use printf as variable name?

Ans. If you want to use variable names like “printf” and “scanf” in your C or C++ code, you can only do so if you haven’t already declared or included them as functions. These names are typically associated with input and output functions provided by the standard library, and if you’ve included “stdio.h” or “cstdio,” you may not redefine these names as variables in your program. Doing so could lead to conflicts and errors, so it’s generally best to avoid using these names for your own variables in such cases. It’s always a good practice to choose variable names that are clear, meaningful, and don’t clash with existing function names.

Q3. How to print a variable without using printf in C?

Ans. #include
int write(int filedes, const char *buf, unsigned int nbyte);
int main( int argc, char** argv )
{ write(1, “Hello World!\ n”, 13);
return 0; }
OUTPUT: Hello World!

Hridhya Manoj

Hello, I’m Hridhya Manoj. I’m passionate about technology and its ever-evolving landscape. With a deep love for writing and a curious mind, I enjoy translating complex concepts into understandable, engaging content. Let’s explore the world of tech together