strange output (c)

linuxi · 11-18-2006, 03:53 PM

Hi,
i have troubles understandig the following code:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <math.h>

long getNumb() 
{
  
  long zahl;
  printf("input number: ");
  scanf("%ld", &zahl);
  return zahl;
}

long getNumbgetNumb() 
{
long a, b;
a = getNumb();
b = getNumb();
}    


int main()
{   
    long a,b;
    getNumbgetNumb();
    printf("%ld\n", a);
    printf("%ld\n", b);
      system("PAUSE");    
  
}

For every input in getNumb() i become a=2 b=22 in
main()..y?

p.s. is not a homework

..

kaz2100 · 11-18-2006, 03:59 PM

Hi,

both a and b are local.

Happy Penguins.

dmail · 11-18-2006, 04:04 PM

Take this with a grain of salt as I've been off the mark today.
This should not even compile as getNumbgetNumb doesn't return a value.
a and b in main scope are not initialised and are different variables to those in getNumbgetNumb scope.(edit: which kaz2100 already mentioned)

linuxi · 11-19-2006, 05:28 AM

Yes i know there are local but why output is 2 and 22? or there is no logical explanation

urzumph · 11-19-2006, 06:03 AM

You never initialise the a and b declared in main. Thus, their value is never written to, and whatever value is left in that position in ram from whatever program ran before is printed out.

matthewg42 · 11-19-2006, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxi

Yes i know there are local but why output is 2 and 22? or there is no logical explanation

Until you assign a value to a variable, it's value is undefined. The behaviour of a program which is asked to use an undefined variable is also undefined. Read this to mean "It might do something weird. It might do something boring. It might format your hard disk and put sugar in your fuel tank.".

The exact reasons for the value you get will be very deep in how the compiler/links/os is working. It may well be interesting, but it's not, much to do with C the language itself.

linuxi · 11-19-2006, 10:43 AM

thx for ur explanations