Unlocking the Power of C Programming: A Guide to Sorting Strings

The Problem: Sorting Strings in Dictionary Order

Imagine you have a collection of strings that need to be sorted in alphabetical order. This task may seem daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s achievable. To tackle this problem, we’ll create a two-dimensional string array that can hold up to 5 strings, each with a maximum of 50 characters (including the null character).

The Solution: Leveraging Library Functions

To sort the strings in dictionary order, we’ll utilize two powerful library functions: strcmp() and strcpy(). The strcmp() function allows us to compare strings, while strcpy() enables us to copy strings efficiently. By combining these functions, we can create a program that accurately sorts the strings in the correct order.

Breaking Down the Code

#include <string.h>

#define MAX_STRINGS 5
#define MAX_CHARACTERS 50

int main() {
    char str[MAX_STRINGS][MAX_CHARACTERS];
    int i, j;

    // Input strings from the user
    for (i = 0; i < MAX_STRINGS; i++) {
        printf("Enter string %d: ", i + 1);
        fgets(str[i], MAX_CHARACTERS, stdin);
        str[i][strlen(str[i]) - 1] = '\0'; // Remove newline character
    }

    // Sort strings in dictionary order using strcmp()
    for (i = 0; i < MAX_STRINGS - 1; i++) {
        for (j = i + 1; j < MAX_STRINGS; j++) {
            if (strcmp(str[i], str[j]) > 0) {
                char temp[MAX_CHARACTERS];
                strcpy(temp, str[i]);
                strcpy(str[i], str[j]);
                strcpy(str[j], temp);
            }
        }
    }

    // Output sorted strings
    for (i = 0; i < MAX_STRINGS; i++) {
        printf("String %d: %s\n", i + 1, str[i]);
    }

    return 0;
}

This code snippet demonstrates how to declare a two-dimensional string array, input strings from the user, sort them using the strcmp() function, and output the sorted strings.

The Output: Sorted Strings in Dictionary Order

The end result is a program that takes a collection of strings as input and outputs them in alphabetical order. This example demonstrates the power of C programming and its ability to tackle complex tasks with ease. By mastering the techniques outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient C programmer.