ascii character limit is 255?

Question

#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
main()
{
    int i=369;
    printf("%c",i);
    getch();
}



O/p
===
q

Here , getting 'q' as a output .

My doubt is the ascii character limit is 255 . But why it is giving 'q' as output ?

Answer 1

It's being cast to a byte. 369 % 256 = 113 = 'q'

Answer 2

The "%c" in printf() takes the int parameter 369 and converts it to an unsigned char which has the value 369 & 255 or 113. Character code 113 corresponds to 'q' on a system using ASCII encoding. Thus 'q' is printed.

C11dr §7.21.6.1 8 c conversion specifier
"If no l length modifier is present, the int argument is converted to an unsigned char, and the resulting character is written."

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[Edit]
Typical C systems have an 8-bit char which allows for 256 combinations, hence the above & 255 (Some systems have other char sizes). Typical C systems assign values 0 to 127 to the ASCII character set - which is only defined for codes 0 to 127. The text that may print out with values outside that range varies.

Answer 3

ascii's limit is 255, however 369=0000 0001 0111 0001, while q's ascii code is 0111 0001, see the last 8 bits? You got it!