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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Programming & Software

C Programming Quiz: Put Your Skills to the Test

Ready for this C coding quiz? Dive into our programming in C quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for C programming quiz testing coding skills on a dark blue background

This free C programming quiz helps you check your skills in pointers, memory use, types, and control flow. Answer quick multiple choice questions to spot gaps before an exam, then try the full practice test for deeper review later.

How do you declare a pointer to an integer in C?
int *p;
*int p;
int& p;
int p*;
In C, the * operator is placed next to the variable name to indicate that it is a pointer. The declaration int *p; tells the compiler that p will hold the address of an int. Other forms like int p*; are syntax errors. For more detail, see .
Which header file is required for using the printf function?
stdio.h
stdbool.h
string.h
stdlib.h
The printf function is declared in the standard input/output header stdio.h. Without including this header, the compiler may not recognize printf and will issue a warning or error. Other headers like stdlib.h provide functions for memory allocation and process control. Read more at .
What is the size (in bytes) of the char data type in most C implementations?
8
1
4
2
The C standard defines sizeof(char) as 1 byte by definition. This is the smallest addressable unit of storage in C. Other types like int or long may be larger depending on the implementation. More details at .
Which of the following is the correct way to write a single-line comment in C?
// This is a comment
/* This is a comment */
# This is a comment
C supports two comment styles: /* ... */ for block comments and // for single-line comments, which was introduced in C99. The style is for HTML, and # starts a preprocessor directive. See .
Given int arr[5]; what does the expression arr represent?
Pointer to pointer
Size of the array in bytes
Value of the first element
Address of the first element
In C, the name of an array decays to a pointer to its first element in most expressions. Thus arr is equivalent to &arr[0], giving the address. It does not represent the size or a pointer to a pointer. More at .
What will be the output of printf("%d", 2+3*4); ?
24
20
18
14
According to C operator precedence, multiplication (*) is evaluated before addition (+). Thus 3*4 = 12, and then 2 + 12 = 14. Parentheses would change this order. Details at .
Which function is used to dynamically allocate a block of memory of a given size in bytes?
calloc
realloc
malloc
alloc
The malloc(size) function allocates a block of memory of the specified size but does not initialize it. calloc also allocates but additionally zeroes the memory. realloc resizes an existing block. See for more.
Which keyword is used to define a constant value that cannot be modified?
const
volatile
static
export
The const keyword tells the compiler that the value of a variable cannot be modified after initialization. static has to do with storage duration, and volatile indicates the value may change outside program control. Learn more at .
Which of the following best describes undefined behavior in C?
Behavior that requires compiler warnings to appear
Behavior that always causes a runtime error
Behavior not defined by the C standard
Behavior defined the same across all compilers
Undefined behavior refers to code constructs for which the C standard imposes no requirements. The compiler is free to handle such cases variably, potentially leading to unexpected results. It does not mandate errors or warnings. More at .
What distinguishes calloc() from malloc() in C?
calloc initializes allocated memory to zero
calloc allocates noncontiguous blocks
calloc takes one argument
calloc returns void instead of void*
calloc(count, size) allocates memory for an array of count elements, each of size bytes, and initializes all bytes to zero. malloc(size) allocates a single block without initialization. calloc takes two arguments. For more, see .
Given the expression x++ + ++x where x is an integer, what can be said about its result?
It generates a compile-time error
It always evaluates to 2*x
It adds the old and new value reliably
It causes undefined behavior
Using x++ and ++x on the same variable within one sequence point leads to undefined behavior in C because the order of side effects is not specified. The result can vary between compilers and optimization levels. Official description at .
Which of these pointer operations violates the strict aliasing rule?
Using a pointer to access its own type
Accessing an object through a char* pointer
Casting a void* to an int*
Casting an int* to a double* and dereferencing
The strict aliasing rule in C prohibits accessing an object through an incompatible type pointer, such as treating an int object as a double. However, accessing any object via a char* is explicitly allowed. Casting from void* to another pointer type is also allowed. See .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify C Syntax Rules -

    Identify essential C syntax rules and constructs presented in this C quiz to ensure accurate code writing.

  2. Apply Pointer Concepts -

    Apply pointer arithmetic concepts to solve challenging pointer questions presented in the C programming quiz.

  3. Analyze Control Flow -

    Analyze algorithmic logic and control flow to optimize solutions in our C coding quiz scenarios.

  4. Debug Common Errors -

    Debug typical syntax and logical mistakes encountered during the programming in C quiz to write error-free code.

  5. Differentiate Data Types -

    Differentiate between C data types and memory management techniques within C language test scenarios.

  6. Strengthen Problem-Solving -

    Strengthen your problem-solving skills by tackling complex scenarios in our C quiz and improving code efficiency.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mastering Pointers and Address Arithmetic -

    Pointers are variables that store memory addresses, letting you directly access and manipulate data (K&R C, Ch. 5). Remember that pointer arithmetic moves in units of the pointed type (e.g., incrementing an int* advances by sizeof(int)). A handy mnemonic: "& gives the address, * unpacks the treasure."

  2. Understanding Data Types and Integer Promotion -

    C's basic types (char, int, float, double) follow strict size and signedness rules defined by the ISO C standard. Implicit promotions - like converting a char to an int in expressions - ensure consistent calculation results but can introduce subtle bugs. Keep a type-casting cheat sheet handy to avoid surprises.

  3. Dynamic Memory Management with malloc and free -

    Dynamic allocation via malloc(), calloc() and free() from is crucial for flexible data structures (e.g., linked lists) as taught in university CS curricula. Always check for a NULL return and call free() to prevent memory leaks. Think of malloc/free as borrowing and returning library books: never keep them past due!

  4. Operator Precedence and Associativity -

    Knowing that * (multiplication) binds tighter than + (addition) and that ++ has higher precedence can save you from logic errors (see ISO C ยง6.5). Use parentheses to make your intention crystal clear when chaining operators. When in doubt, break complex expressions into smaller statements.

  5. Efficient String Handling and Buffer Safety -

    C strings are null-terminated char arrays, so always leave room for the '\0' terminator to avoid overflow (as emphasized by CERT C Secure Coding). Use strncpy() or snprintf() in place of strcpy() and sprintf() for safer copying. Mnemonic: "Terminate and allocate before you calculate."

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