How does getchar work in this example?

Hi!

I'm working through K&R slowly and have encountered this example demonstrating getchar and putchar:

Code:

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main()
{
    int c;

    c = getchar();
    while (c != EOF) {
        putchar(c);
        c = getchar();
    }
}

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I am confused how, each time getchar is called in the loop, it "remembers" which character it's up to in the text stream; how does it not just go straight back to the beginning of the text stream? If somebody could clarify how this works in this case, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Think as the input text stream as a deck of cards.
getchar removes the top card and returns its value.
If there is no top card it returns EOF

Tim S.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stahta01

Think as the input text stream as a deck of cards.
getchar removes the top card and returns its value.
If there is no top card it returns EOF

Tim S.

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Thank you for the explanation, this makes it easier to understand now.