Get the C version in use

Last update on March 18 2025 13:30:50 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

C Practice Exercise

Write a C program to get the C version you are using.

C Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main(int argc, char** argv) {
    // Check for C standard version
    #if __STDC_VERSION__ >=  201710L
        printf("We are using C18!\n");
    #elif __STDC_VERSION__ >= 201112L
        printf("We are using C11!\n");
    #elif __STDC_VERSION__ >= 199901L
        printf("We are using C99!\n");
    #else
        printf("We are using C89/C90!\n");
    #endif

    // Indicate successful execution
    return 0;
}

Explanation:

In the exercise above -

#include : This line includes the standard input-output library, which is necessary for using "printf".
int main(int argc, char** argv): This is the main function with command-line arguments argc and argv. However, in this code, these arguments are not used.
The code uses preprocessor directives (#if, #elif, #else, and #endif) to conditionally compile different print statements based on the version of the C standard detected by the compiler:

#if __STDC_VERSION__ >= 201710L checks if the C standard version is greater than or equal to C18 (2017). If true, it prints "We are using C18!".
#elif __STDC_VERSION__ >= 201112L checks if the C standard version is greater than or equal to C11 (2011). If true, it prints "We are using C11!".
#elif __STDC_VERSION__ >= 199901L checks if the C standard version is greater than or equal to C99 (1999). If true, it prints "We are using C99!".
#else is a fallback condition that triggers if none of the above conditions are met. It prints "We are using C89/C90!".

return 0;: This line indicates the end of the main function and returns 0 to the operating system, indicating a successful program execution.

Sample Output:

We are using C18!

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

Write a C program to print the C standard version using predefined macros like __STDC_VERSION__.
Write a C program to display compiler-specific version information, including the compiler name if available.
Write a C program to check if the program is compiled under C99, C11, or C18 and print a corresponding message.
Write a C program to print the current compilation date, time, and C version using __DATE__, __TIME__, and __STDC_VERSION__.

C Programming Code Editor:

Previous: Write a C program to print your name, date of birth. and mobile number.
Next: Write a C program to print a block F using hash (#), where the F has a height of six characters and width of five and four characters. And also to print a big 'C'.