In C, how would you print the two literal characters backslash and n (i.e., the text ' ') on the screen using printf?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: printf("\n");

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Escape sequences in C string literals can be confusing. The backslash introduces special sequences like (newline). To print a backslash character itself, you must escape it as \\ in the source to produce a single backslash at runtime. This question asks for the exact printf form to display the text literally, not to create a newline.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • You want the output characters backslash followed by the letter n.
  • Using the standard C library function printf.
  • No extra whitespace or newlines are required.


Concept / Approach:
In C string literals, "\" represents a single backslash character. Therefore, "" in a literal results in two output characters: backslash and n. Passing that literal to printf prints exactly as text. Using '' (single quotes) forms a character literal representing newline, not the two-character sequence.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Write a string literal that encodes backslash: "\".Append the character n to form "".Call printf(""); to print those two characters.Do not use character literals or unescaped backslashes.


Verification / Alternative check:
Running printf(""); produces backslash-n on the console. Running printf("\"); would print two backslashes followed by n (i.e., \).


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • printf("\"); prints \ (two backslashes), not .
  • printf(''); uses a character literal for newline, not the two characters.
  • The combined comment form is unnecessary and potentially misleading.
  • puts(""); also prints but appends a newline automatically; the question asks specifically for printf and minimal form.


Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting that backslash must be escaped in string literals. Confusing character and string literals leads to different behavior.


Final Answer:
printf("");.

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