C PROGRAMMING PROGRAM • STRINGS

Copy a String Without strcpy()

Learn how to copy a string without strcpy() using a clear C program.

BeginnerStringsCharacter arraysLoops

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
Learn C
Sample output
Copied text: Learn C

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

copy-string-without-strcpy.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
    char source[200], destination[200];
    int index = 0;

    printf("Enter text: ");
    fgets(source, sizeof source, stdin);
    while (source[index] != '\0') {
        destination[index] = source[index];
        index++;
    }
    destination[index] = '\0';
    printf("Copied text: %s", destination);
    return 0;
}

GUIDED CODE TOUR • NOT LIVE EXECUTION

Study the program line by line

Use the real compiler button above to run and debug with different inputs.

CURRENT STEP

Select Start to walk through the important lines.

SELECTED LINE

No line selected

EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

Copied text: Learn C
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Copy each character including the terminating null character into another array.
  3. Display the computed result.

Copy each character including the terminating null character into another array.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(n)

Auxiliary space

O(n)

DEBUGGING CHECKLIST

Common mistakes

Check this

Use the correct format specifier for every variable.

Check this

Initialize variables before using their values.

Check this

Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.

Try it yourself

Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.