Why Ampersand Is Not Used in Printf?

Maya Lin-Takahashi
Maya Lin-Takahashi
• • 2 min read

So, There's No Way for Square_It to Make Changes Visible to the Caller. Now, While Printf Doesn't Need to Change Its Arguments (It Is an Output Function) Scanf...

Why Ampersand Is Not Used in Printf?

So, there's no way for square_it to make changes visible to the caller. Now, while printf doesn't need to change its arguments (it is an output function) scanf

scanf
A scanf format string (scan formatted) is a control parameter used in various functions to specify the layout of an input string. The functions can then divide the string and translate into values of appropriate data types. String scanning functions are often supplied in standard libraries.
› wiki › Scanf_format_string
does (it is an input function). Hence it needs variable pointers (addresses) as arguments.

Can we use ampersand in printf?

in the printf ... it works. Why is that? It also differs between the format specifier, such as one doesn't need to put & (ampersand) sign in printf when one uses %c or %d in the scanf .

Must Read

Why ampersand is not used in string in C?

In case of a string (character array), the variable itself points to the first element of the array in question. Thus, there is no need to use the '&' operator to pass the address. '&' is used to get the address of the variable.

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya Lin-Takahashi

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Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.