C PROGRAMMING PROGRAM • STRUCTURES, UNIONS & ENUMS

Store Flags Using Structure Bit-Fields

Learn how to store flags using structure bit-fields using a clear C program.

AdvancedBit-fieldPacked flagsUnsigned members

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
No input required
Sample output
ready=1 error=0 mode=2

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

structure-bit-fields.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>

struct Status {
    unsigned ready : 1;
    unsigned error : 1;
    unsigned mode : 2;
};

int main(void)
{
    struct Status status = {1, 0, 2};
    printf("ready=%u error=%u mode=%u\n", (unsigned) status.ready,
           (unsigned) status.error, (unsigned) status.mode);
    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

ready=1 error=0 mode=2
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Assign a precise bit width to small unsigned flags and access them like structure members.
  3. Display the computed result.

Assign a precise bit width to small unsigned flags and access them like structure members.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(1)

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.