Introduction / Context:
This problem tests understanding of file positioning functions in C, specifically how fseek interacts with sequential reading in a loop. By skipping a fixed number of bytes after each successful read, the program samples characters at a specific stride across the source text. Predicting the resulting output requires careful attention to the order of operations and the stride length.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Source text is exactly: "To err is human" (including spaces, no trailing newline considered).
- The loop reads one character at a time using getc(fs).
- After each non-EOF character, the code executes fseek(fs, 4L, SEEK_CUR) and then writes the character to the output with fputc.
- Files open in text mode; each seek moves the position in bytes across this ASCII text.
Concept / Approach:
- Each iteration reads one byte, then skips forward 4 bytes due to fseek with SEEK_CUR.
- This creates an effective stride of 5 bytes per iteration (1 read + 4 skipped).
- The resulting output is every 5th character of the source, starting from index 0.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Index characters (0-based): 0:T, 1:o, 2: , 3:e, 4:r, 5:r, 6: , 7:i, 8:s, 9: , 10:h, 11:u, 12:m, 13:a, 14:n.Iteration 1: read index 0 → 'T'; seek +4 → next read index 5.Iteration 2: read index 5 → 'r'; seek +4 → next read index 10.Iteration 3: read index 10 → 'h'; seek +4 → next would be index 15 (past end) → EOF, loop ends.
Verification / Alternative check:
Concatenate captured characters → 'T' + 'r' + 'h' = 'Trh', matching the predicted output.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- 'r n': Misinterprets spacing and skip pattern; does not align with the 5-byte stride.
- 'err': Would require reading contiguous indices 2–4 or similar, which the code does not do.
- None of above: Incorrect because 'Trh' is precisely produced by the loop.
Common Pitfalls:
- Forgetting that the seek occurs after the character is read and queued for write.
- Assuming fseek skips characters without considering the initial position and EOF handling.
Final Answer:
Trh
Discussion & Comments