Code golfing FizzBuzz in 88 bytes of C

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Tags: programming, c

A small curio I found buried in my programming cellar that I thought would make for a fun post. For those who don't know about it, here's a definition of the task at hand, now behold the complete C program that solves it (build with gcc/clang -std=c89 fizz.c):

main(i){while(printf(i%3*i%5?"%d ":"%2$s%3$s ",i,i%3?"":"Fizz",i%5?"":"Buzz"),i++<100);}

Let me explain the various little tricks used here:

  • Unlocking "sloppy mode" via ANSI C (aka C89) lets me compile without any #includes and without having to type neither main's return nor its parameter (the traditionally named argc), which then default to int.
  • The use of argc as loop variable i since it's conveniently initialized to 1 in this case (program launched as ./a.out).
  • All the printf calls can be fused into one thanks to the POSIX extension %n$ allowing to specify which argument is to be fed to a format directive instead of "the next one".
  • Then finally, a simple use of the oftentimes forgotten sequence operator , (comma) to gain 4 chars on the equivalent do ... while.

So there you go! If you have a smaller version compiling in the same conditions (changing the standard or adding -D_DEFAULT_SOURCE is allowed), please send it to me and I'll either link your URL or add your solution to this page!