Hello, Everyone! I'm new to C programming.Can anyone please explain me what happens near if statement in the code below?

Question

#include<stdio.h>

int main()
{
if(printf("Hello, C Programmer!"))
{

}
}

Answer 1

printf() function returns number of charecters successfully printed.You can verify this by trying this code :

int n = printf("Hello");
printf("%d",n); //5

If you convert any non-zero number to boolean value it'll be `true`. If number is 0 then it's treated as `false`.

In given code printf() function returns integer value 20 , which is non-zero.

So code enclosed within if statement will be executed.

Answer 2

It will output

Hello, C Programmer!

Using if like this is a common trick in several C syntax style languages to write a program without using a semicolon.
It can also be a way to run the code within the if block if printf has successfully written any characters. As 🇮🇳Omkar🕉 has stated any non-zero value will result in true. However, it returns 20 not 21. printf() returns the count of characters written.

Answer 3

ChaoticDawg ,
Thanks for correction. I edited my answer.

Tried counting many time but poor eyesight , lol 👀.

Answer 4

Thanks a lot 🇮🇳Omkar🕉 ChaoticDawg for clarifying my doubt.

Answer 5

Thanks Akash_Kumar