ft_printf

ft_printf is a project to recreate the functionality of the C standard library's printf() function, focusing on variadic functions and extensible programming.

The project is a part of Hive Helsinki coding school (School 42) studies.

Function Prototype

int ft_printf(const char *, ...);

Features

• Supported Conversions:

  • %c: Single character.
  • %s: String.
  • %p: Pointer address in hexadecimal.
  • %d: Decimal number.
  • %i: Integer in base 10.
  • %u: Unsigned decimal number.
  • %x: Lowercase hexadecimal.
  • %X: Uppercase hexadecimal.
  • %%: Percent sign.

• Adheres to Hive Norm standards, ensuring robust memory management and error handling.

Requirements

• Implemented as a static library: libftprintf.a.
• Makefile with rules:all, clean, fclean, re.
• Tested against the standard printf() function.

Tests

cc tests/main.c ft_printf.c ft_printf_utils.c
./a.out

What I Learned

Understanding Variadic Functions

• I mastered working with variadic arguments using macros like va_start, va_arg, and va_end.
• This skill is essential for understanding how low-level functions process variable numbers of parameters, which is a common technique in embedded systems and system-level programming.

Code Modularity and Reusability

• I learned to design modular and reusable code. By creating a structured approach to handle various format specifiers (%c, %s, %d, etc.), I developed a library that was extensible and easy to debug.

Debugging and Error Handling

• I gained experience in robust error handling to avoid undefined behavior, such as buffer overflows.

Adherence to Standards

• The project required strict compliance with the 42 School Norm, which emphasized clean and maintainable code—a practice I follow in all my work.

Skills Developed

• Low-Level C Programming: Deepened my understanding of the standard library, system calls like write, and how functions like printf operate under the hood.
• Attention to Detail: Learned to meet strict project requirements and match the output of a highly versatile function.

Potential Improvements

• If I revisited the project, I would optimize the buffer management to minimize the number of write system calls, making the function even more efficient for resource-constrained environments.