C printf Debate

Cluster focuses on debates about C's printf function, its flaws like lack of type safety and modernity, defenses via compiler attributes, and comparisons to modern format macros or libraries in other languages.

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20
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5
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#4303
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Keywords

CPU std.org arg.html python.org util.cpp BASIC opengroup.org PS1 FWIW www.open printf ada format string char printing debugging formatted function buffer

Sample Comments

sanxiyn Dec 9, 2019 View on HN

Doesn't C's printf have the same problem?

icedchai Aug 19, 2015 View on HN

printf isn't good enough for you?

ChrisSD Jan 14, 2022 View on HN

`printf` isn't exactly modern!

synergy20 Dec 7, 2023 View on HN

you mean format + printf/scanf from C?

rightbyte Aug 14, 2020 View on HN

Come on ... printf is a monstrousity and I understand why you would put hard coded checks in the compiler.

dvh Jan 19, 2022 View on HN

Would printf even exist if C had sane strings?

sgerenser Feb 23, 2021 View on HN

Wow, reimplementing printf is like pre-heartbleed OpenSSL level of NIH insanity.

methyl Aug 14, 2020 View on HN

What are the downsides of current printf macro implementation vs a variadic fn one?

bluGill Nov 14, 2024 View on HN

They use printf. Which they claim is faster.

murderfs Aug 27, 2022 View on HN

When was the last time you've seen someone check the return value of printf?