get_next_line

This project introduces the concepts of static variables, dynamic memory allocation, file descriptors and macros while solving one simple task: that of using the Linux standard function read() to scan a file for single lines (i.e. strings of chars ending in a single trailing \n (new line character)).

Files

• get_next_line.c function implementation

• get_next_line_utils.c auxiliary functions (project requirement)

• get_next_line.h header file

• only_skin sample text file (also lyrical masterpiece) for testing purposes. File size: 6940 bytes; new line char count: 251.

• main.c printing loop iterating over the file. calls get_next_line to fetch each line, then prints.

Run the program

On your terminal, make sure to be on the same level as the *.c files, then run the command:

gcc get_next_line_utils.c get_next_line.c main.c -D BUFFER_SIZE=42 -o get_next_line

Here BUFFER_SIZE determines the size of the buffer used to read the file (in other words, how manny chars shall be read at once with every read() call). To run the program, enter the following in the command prompt:

./get_next_line

You should expect to see the lyrics to Only Skin by Joanna Newsom printed in your terminal window. How cool is that?!

Final note

If you're a 42 student struggling to understand this project, I got your back! Please refer to this Notion page that I wrote covering the general concepts related to this project and a practical to-do list of tasks to help you get started writing your own get_next_line! It's in Portuguese 🌵

Acelera — Get_next_line