C PROGRAMMING PROGRAM • STRINGS
Sort the Characters in a String
Learn how to sort the characters in a string using a clear C program.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
dcab
Sample output
Sorted: abcd
COMPLETE C PROGRAM
Complete C implementation
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
int main(void)
{
char text[300];
fgets(text, sizeof text, stdin);
text[strcspn(text, "\n")] = '\0';
int length = (int) strlen(text);
for (int start = 0; start < length - 1; start++) {
for (int index = start + 1; index < length; index++) {
if ((unsigned char) text[start] > (unsigned char) text[index]) {
char temporary = text[start]; text[start] = text[index]; text[index] = temporary;
}
}
}
printf("Sorted: %s\n", text);
return 0;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
Sorted: abcd
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Compare character codes and swap them into ascending order.
- Display the computed result.
Compare character codes and swap them into ascending order.
EFFICIENCY
Time and space complexity
Time complexity
O(n²)
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.
