C PROGRAMMING PROGRAM • POINTERS & DYNAMIC MEMORY

Reverse a String Using Pointers

Learn how to reverse a string using pointers using a clear C program.

IntermediateCharacter pointersTwo-pointer methodstrlen()

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
CodeBhavya
Sample output
Reversed = ayvahBedoC

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

reverse-string-with-pointers.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

int main(void)
{
    char text[100];
    printf("Enter text: ");
    fgets(text, sizeof text, stdin);
    text[strcspn(text, "\n")] = '\0';
    char *left = text;
    char *right = text + strlen(text);
    if (right != left) right--;
    while (left < right) {
        char temporary = *left;
        *left++ = *right;
        *right-- = temporary;
    }
    printf("Reversed = %s\n", text);
    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

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EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

Reversed = ayvahBedoC
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Point at both ends of the mutable string and exchange characters while the pointers move inward.
  3. Display the computed result.

Point at both ends of the mutable string and exchange characters while the pointers move inward.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(n)

Auxiliary space

O(1)

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.