/* Ajith - Syntax Higlighter - End ----------------------------------------------- */

9.08.2009

Reading a string of length 'n' from Standard Input [STDIN]

We know how to read a string from STDIN in C by using library functions like scanf, fgets and so on. By using these functions there is a chance for memory corruption and strange behaviour. For example while using scanf if we try to save a string of length more than the variable size there is a chance of memory corruption.

So here in this post I am just trying to implement a function capable to read a string of length 'n' from STDIN without memory corruption and other bugs.

Do help me by checking the code if there is a chance for further improvements.

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

#define BUF_SIZE 6
#define STRING_SIZE 4

/*
* void getStringStdin(char *, int , int );
*
* 1: BUF :Pointer to the array of characters where input string
is to be stored.
* 2: BUF_LEN :Is the length of the array of characters where the
string is stored.buffer where we save the string.
* 3: STRING_LEN :Is the length of the string.
*
* NOTE: STRING_LEN < BUF_LEN
*
*/

getStringStdin(char *buf, int buf_len, int str_len)
{
int ch, len;
char *s;

if(str_len>=buf_len)
len=buf_len-1;
else
len=str_len;

printf ("\nEnter string of length %d(Remaining is ignored): ",len);

if( (fgets(buf, len+1, stdin)) != NULL )
{
s=my_strchr(buf,'\n');

if(s!=NULL)
{
*s='\0';
}
else
{
while ((ch = getchar()) != '\n' && ch != EOF);
}
}
}

int main(void)
{
int i=0;
char buf[BUF_SIZE];

do
{
getString(buf, BUF_SIZE, STRING_SIZE);
printf ("\nString : %s\n", buf);
i++;
}while(i<2);

return 0;
}

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