`luc098.c`¶

Problem Statement

Write a calculator utility using command line arguments.\nUsage: calc \nwhere switch is arithmetic operator or comparison operator.

Metadata¶

Property	Detail
Author	Amit Dutta amitdutta4255@gmail.com
Date	08 Feb 2026
License	MIT License (See the LICENSE file for details)
Difficulty	Beginner (index: 0 / 10)

Concepts¶

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Source Code¶

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

int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
    float n, m, res;
    char operator;

    if (argc != 4)
    {
        printf("Usage: %s <switch> <n> <m>\n", argv[0]);
        printf("Example: %s + 10 20\n", argv[0]);
        printf("Note: For multiplication (*), use '*' or x to avoid shell expansion.\n");
        exit(1);
    }

    operator = argv[1][0]; // First character of the switch argument
    n = atof(argv[2]);
    m = atof(argv[3]);

    switch (operator)
    {
    // Arithmetic
    case '+':
        printf("%.2f\n", n + m);
        break;
    case '-':
        printf("%.2f\n", n - m);
        break;
    case 'x': 
    case '*':
        printf("%.2f\n", n * m);
        break;
    case '/':
        if (m == 0) printf("Error: Division by zero\n");
        else printf("%.2f\n", n / m);
        break;
    case '%':
        printf("%d\n", (int)n % (int)m);
        break;

    // Comparison
    case '<':
        printf("%s\n", (n < m) ? "True" : "False");
        break;
    case '>':
        printf("%s\n", (n > m) ? "True" : "False");
        break;

    // Handling symbols that might be multi-char (e.g. <=, >=, ==) is tricky 
    // with argv[1][0], but basic logic for typical single char switches:
    case '=':
        printf("%s\n", (n == m) ? "True" : "False");
        break;

    default:
        printf("Unknown operator: %c\n", operator);
        break;
    }

    return 0;
}

Explanation¶

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    You are explaining a C programming code to a beginner.

    STRICT RULES:

    - Only use the given code. Do NOT assume anything not present.

    - Do NOT add extra examples.

    - Keep explanation clear and short.

    - If something is unclear, say "Not clear from code".

    - Follow the exact format below. Do NOT change headings.

    FORMAT:

    [START]

    ## What it does

    (Explain the overall purpose in 1-2 sentences)

    ## Step-by-step

    (Explain how the code works in steps, simple language)

    ## Key Concepts

    (List concepts like loop, condition, function, etc.)

    ## Notes

    (Mention any limitations, errors, or assumptions)

    [END]

    CODE (luc098.c):

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

    int main(int argc, char *argv[])
    {
        float n, m, res;
        char operator;

        if (argc != 4)
        {
            printf("Usage: %s <switch> <n> <m>\n", argv[0]);
            printf("Example: %s + 10 20\n", argv[0]);
            printf("Note: For multiplication (*), use '*' or x to avoid shell expansion.\n");
            exit(1);
        }

        operator = argv[1][0]; // First character of the switch argument
        n = atof(argv[2]);
        m = atof(argv[3]);

        switch (operator)
        {
        // Arithmetic
        case '+':
            printf("%.2f\n", n + m);
            break;
        case '-':
            printf("%.2f\n", n - m);
            break;
        case 'x': 
        case '*':
            printf("%.2f\n", n * m);
            break;
        case '/':
            if (m == 0) printf("Error: Division by zero\n");
            else printf("%.2f\n", n / m);
            break;
        case '%':
            printf("%d\n", (int)n % (int)m);
            break;

        // Comparison
        case '<':
            printf("%s\n", (n < m) ? "True" : "False");
            break;
        case '>':
            printf("%s\n", (n > m) ? "True" : "False");
            break;

        // Handling symbols that might be multi-char (e.g. <=, >=, ==) is tricky 
        // with argv[1][0], but basic logic for typical single char switches:
        case '=':
            printf("%s\n", (n == m) ? "True" : "False");
            break;

        default:
            printf("Unknown operator: %c\n", operator);
            break;
        }

        return 0;
    }

luc098.c¶