Small Help Needed - Page 4

WaltP · #31 08-Nov-2004, 23:47

Dave, your second solution pointed to one more solution for me -- and this is really lame. Of course the #define will work too:

CPP / C++ / C Code:

#include <stdio.h>
void printf(const char *s)
{
  puts("Welcome to My World of Computing");
}

int main()
{
  printf("My World of Computing");
  return 0;
}

The instruction didn't say you had to use the parameter...

dsmith · #32 09-Nov-2004, 07:25

Okay Walt. For that you win the booby prize. That is pretty bad... but still meets the requirements.

davekw7x · #33 09-Nov-2004, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaltP

Dave, your second solution pointed to one more solution for me -- and this is really lame. Of course the #define will work too:

CPP / C++ / C Code:

#include <stdio.h>
void printf(const char *s)
{
  puts("Welcome to My World of Computing");
}

i

The instruction didn't say you had to use the parameter...

I kind of like it. The only problem is that printf() has already been prototyped in <stdio.h>. GNU gcc complains (with a warning) but executes OK. Borland bcc32 and Microsoft Visual C++ report it as an error and won't compile.

In order for it to run on all standard c compilers, you should declare printf() with the same parameters as in <stdio.h> (as I did in my example). Of course, then you will be declaring that its type as int, and should return some value.

The thing I like about puzzles like this (I'm not always good at puzzles):

Once you get over the "it can't be done" frame of mind, many alternatives may come to you. My definition of Engineer is: "Problem Solver". Sometimes the hardest thing to overcome in solving a problem is your first impression that "it's impossible".

Regards,

Dave

Dr. Evil · #34 09-Nov-2004, 08:49

Dang, everyone else's solution makes mine look really, really lame. I just nested the int main() function within the real main(). Technically, I didn't change the given main() function at all, the compiler (well, gcc at least, I don't know about the others) just ignores it.

Thus, the most pathetic solution of all:

CPP / C++ / C Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
  printf("Welcome to ");
  int main()
  {
    printf("My World of Computing");
    return 0;
  }
  printf("My World of Computing");
  return 0;
}

davekw7x · #35 09-Nov-2004, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Evil

Dang, everyone else's solution makes mine look really, really lame. I just nested the int main() function within the real main(). Technically, I didn't change the given main() function at all, the compiler (well, gcc at least, I don't know about the others) just ignores it.

Thus, the most pathetic solution of all:

CPP / C++ / C Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
  printf("Welcome to ");
  int main()
  {
    printf("My World of Computing");
    return 0;
  }
  printf("My World of Computing");
  return 0;
}

This is a true aberration. main() is a very special function. You are only allowed to have one in standard C. Also, nested functions are not allowed in standard C. I am shocked that gcc lets you do this (it does--- I tested it). However, I kind of like the way that your mind works --- go for the bizarre!

I think the rules should have included the requirements that the resulting program be totally compliant with C-language standards.

However, inspired by your effort, I gladly give you credit for inspiring this one, that does obey the rules and is unquestionably a valid program for all standard C compilers.

CPP / C++ / C Code:

#include <stdio.h>

/* here is the new stuff */
int main()
{
  printf("Welcome to My World of Computing");
  return 0;
}

/* The original, unchanged, program is between #if 0 and #endif */
#if 0
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
  printf("My World of Computing");
  return 0;
}
#endif

I use the #if 0 construct all of the time to comment out blocks of code that may include /* */ comments. (In standard C, /* */ comments can't be nested.)

Since the original program had no such comments, I could have just put "/*" before its first line and "*/" after its last line instead of using #if 0

Regards,

Dave

Dr. Evil · #36 09-Nov-2004, 11:03

Thank you for your insight, I can't believe I left out the possibility of using preprocessor macros, or comments for that matter...

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