The ________ directive allows for conditional compilation in a C program.
- #ifdef
- #ifndef
- #include
- #pragma
In C programming, the #ifdef directive is used for conditional compilation. It checks if a particular macro is defined and includes code if the macro is defined.
A ________ occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed.
- Buffer Overflow
- Dangling Pointer
- Memory Leak
- Segmentation Fault
A Dangling Pointer occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed. This can lead to undefined behavior, crashes, or data corruption. It's crucial to avoid using pointers that point to memory that has been deallocated.
Why would you use a pointer to an array instead of a regular array in a function?
- Pointers allow you to modify the original array in a function.
- Pointers allow you to pass arrays to functions without making a copy.
- Pointers are more memory-efficient than regular arrays.
- Pointers provide a way to dynamically allocate memory for arrays.
Using a pointer to an array in a function allows you to pass the array by reference, avoiding the need to make a copy of the array. This is more memory-efficient and allows you to modify the original array within the function.
When working with binary files, the ________ function can be used to read data in a structured manner.
- fread()
- fgets()
- fgetc()
- fscanf()
The correct option is fread(). This function is specifically designed for reading binary data from a file. It takes parameters like the file pointer, size of each element, number of elements, and the destination buffer where the data will be stored. This makes it suitable for structured reading of binary files.
What does the fseek function do in a C program?
- Sets the file position indicator to the beginning
- Moves the file position indicator to the end
- Positions the file pointer to a specified location
- Closes the file
The correct option is c. Positions the file pointer to a specified location. The fseek() function in C is used to set the file position indicator to a specific location within the file, allowing random access and manipulation of file contents.
You're developing a database system and need to frequently update records. What file handling technique would you use to efficiently update specific records without reading the entire file?
- Direct File Updating
- Indexed File Updating
- Random File Updating
- Sequential File Updating
Indexed File Updating would be the most efficient technique for frequently updating specific records in a database system. With an index, the system can quickly locate and update the desired record without the need to read the entire file sequentially. This reduces the time and resources required for updates, making it a suitable choice for scenarios where frequent record updates are a common operation in a database.
In the context of searching algorithms, why might a binary search be preferred over a linear search?
- Binary search guarantees to find the target quickly
- Binary search is always faster
- Binary search requires sorted data
- Binary search works for unsorted data
Binary search is preferred when data is sorted as it allows for efficient searching, while a linear search works for unsorted data.
Why might a programmer choose to use an array of structures in a C program?
- To create global variables
- To perform text formatting
- To sort data
- To store related data efficiently
Programmers use arrays of structures to efficiently manage and organize related data.
In the context of file handling, what is the advantage of using binary files over text files?
- Data preservation
- Human readability
- Portability
- Smaller file size
One of the advantages of using binary files over text files in file handling is data preservation. Binary files store data as a sequence of bytes, preserving the exact representation of data without any character encoding or formatting. This makes them suitable for storing complex data structures and preserving data integrity.
Which of the following best describes the concept of recursion in C programming?
- A function calling itself directly or indirectly
- A loop mechanism for repeating a set of instructions
- A method to divide a problem into smaller subproblems
- A way to define constant values
Recursion in C programming involves a function calling itself either directly or indirectly. It's a technique used to solve problems by breaking them down into smaller instances, making it an essential concept in programming.