Thread: Multiple scanf calls skip printf lying between them

Code:

scanf("%d", &a);
printf("A");
scanf("%d", &b);

prints "A" after calling scanf two times instead of between the calls (first scan, then print, then scan). Why? I'm using GCC v4.6

Can you provide the smallest, compileable program that demonstrates this behavior? Also, provide the exact input you give, down to every number, space, when you press enter. All that can matter.

Note, stdout is line buffered meaning you usually don't see output until a newline is printed. However, most systems flush the output buffers when input is requested.

What system are you using GCC 4.6 on?

Code:

int main()
{
int a, b;
scanf("%d", &a);
printf("A/n");
scanf("%d", &b);
}

The inputs were (in respective order):
4
*return*
5
*return*
The CLI displays the following:
~$ gcc a.c
~$ ./a.out
4
5
A
~$
I'm using GCC 4.6 on Linux Mint 12 and Tiny C Compiler on Windows 7 premium. Both give the same output.

The code you posted does not match the output you see. The newline in your print is wrong, you need a backslash to escape it. Change /n to \n. Thus, if your output was from the code you posted, I should see
4
5
A/n

Here's what I get on Fedora 15, GCC 4.6.3

Code:

$ ./foo
4
A/n5

So I get the behavior you expect. Maybe something to do with the implementations. I don't know much about Mint, or Tiny C on Windows 7.

Try again and make sure the code you post is the actual code that produces the error.

It's late here, I'm calling it a night.

Well, I rebooted my Linux and it worked- which means I have offended the tech gods somehow. Really, the same source file wasn't working previously!
P.S. I mistyped the backslash when typing the code on forum by my S40v3, my modem's not working.

Ok, now I understand what is happening. If I do this:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int a,b;
printf("A");
scanf("%d",&a);
printf("B");
scanf("%d",&b);
printf("A=%d\nB=%d",a,b);
}

it all works perfectly. However, if I change declare b to be a char like this:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int a;
char b;
printf("A");
scanf("%d",&a);
printf("B");
scanf("%c",&b);
printf("A=%d\nB=%c\n",a,b);
}

a whitespace gets stored in b. To prevent this, I added a space in a's scanf:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int a;
char b;
printf("A");
scanf("%d ",&a);
printf("B");
scanf("%c",&b);
printf("A=%d\nB=%c",a,b);
}

and then the forementioned problem starts i.e. I'm given the b's scanf first and then "B" gets printed. Now please tell me what am I doing wrong.