an example from a book:
#include <stdio.h>
main()
{
int c;
c = getchar();
while (c != EOF) {
putchar(c);
c = getchar();
}
}
now this book doesn't explain much but says that getchar() reads the next character input. I believe the reason for c = getchar() before the loop has to do something with input buffers. I have done research on it but still can't wrap my head around it exactly. In this example, removing c = getchar() does not make a difference in how the program functions.
What is the exact reason for c = getchar() before the loop and what does it have to do with the input buffers? Also: How can I input EOF? pressing enter or -1 does not terminate the loop, so in this case I don't understand how the check for EOF is necessary in this case.
If you remove c = getchar(); before the loop, the value of c will be indeterminate when the loop is first entered. So this is necessary to have a value to read before printing a character and reading the next one.
To input EOF, you would press either CTRL-D or CTRL-Z depending on whether you're using Linux or Windows.