COMP1521 Style Guide

Contents

Recommended Code Layout Variables Libraries Warnings, Errors and Undefined Behaviour Functions Avoid These C Features

 

You should take time to read this file carefully whenever new syntax is introduced in lectures.

You should come back and read this as you learn new syntax and concepts in lectures, so don't worry if you don't understand everything here yet.

Permitted Language Features

Language Features

If you do not have much coding experience, it is strongly recommended you only use C language features that have been described in lectures. You will find it much easier to follow the same collective path as the rest of the class.

If you have significant programming experience you are in general free to use language features you have learned outside this course, unless it is explicitly forbidden below. But please bear in mind you may not be able to get assistance from tutors, or in the course forum with your code.

Recommended Code Layout

A number of approaches to formatting C code are popular among experienced programmers.

If you have significant programming experience and have learnt one of the C coding styles used bu good programmers you are free to use this style in this course.

If you do not have much coding experience, it is strongly recommended you follow exactly the same layout as lecture, tut and lab examples.

The layout is described below.

Header Comment

All program should have a header comment.

For small lab exercises the header comment should contain at least:

  • The names of the author(s) - include your UNSW zID with any code you submit at UNSW.
  • The date it was written.
  • A description of what the program does.

For larger programs such as assignments, also include:

  • An overview of how the program works, including any bugs or limitations.
  • Any other information that might help a reader understand the code.
  • References to resources used in constructing the code.

It is not necessary to include licensing information, but it is commonly present in header comments of code outside uni.

Header Comment

All program should have a header comment.

For small lab exercises the header comment should contain at least:

  • The names of the author(s) - include your UNSW zID with any code you submit at UNSW.
  • The date it was written.
  • A description of what the program does.

For larger programs such as assignments, also include:

  • An overview of how the program works, including any bugs or limitations.
  • Any other information that might help a reader understand the code.
  • References to resources used in constructing the code.

It is not necessary to include licensing information, but it is commonly present in header comments of code outside uni. 

//
// COMP1511 Lab 10 Exercise - Turing's test
//
// Pretend to be a human in text-based conversation.
// https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test
//
// Authors:
// Grace Hopper (z1234567@unsw.edu.au)
// Ada Lovelace (z5000000@unsw.edu.au)
//
//
//
// Written: 19/03/2019
//

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <math.h>

#define MEANING_OF_LIFE 42


// function prototypes would go here


int main(void) {
    printf("Hello!\n");
    return 0;
}


// function definitions would go here
Braces and Indentation

Functions, loops, and ifs should always use braces and should use compact braces.

Braces and Indentation

Functions, loops, and ifs should always use braces and should use compact braces.

For functions, the opening brace ({) should be on the same line as the function prototype. The closing brace (}) should be on its own line and not indented.

For if, the opening brace ({) should be in the same line as if and the loop condition. The closing brace should be on its own line and should line up with the i in the matching if.

For else and else if, the else should be on the same line as the closing brace (}) before it. The opening brace ({) should be on the same line as the else, or the else if and the condition. The closing brace (}) should be on its own line and should line up with the closing brace (}) before it.

For loops, the opening brace ({) should be on the same line as while and the loop condition. The closing brace (}) should be on its own line and should line up with the w in the matching while.

Braces and Indentation

Functions, loops, and ifs should always use braces and should use compact braces. 

int someFunction(int a, int b) {
    if (a > b) {
        // do something
    } else if (b < a) {
        // do something
    } else {
        // do something
    }

    int i = 0;
    while (i < 0) {
        // do something
        i++;
    }
}
Braces and Indentation

Functions, loops, and ifs should always use braces and should use compact braces. 



// BAD - the code between the {} should be indented

if (i % 2 == 0) {
printf("even");
} else {
printf("odd");
}


// BAD - put newlines after { and after }

while (i < 0) { i++; }


// BAD - always use braces on ifs and whiles

while (i < 0)
    i++;

// BAD - closing braces don't line up

if (a > b) {
    // do something
    } else if (b < a) {
        // do something
        } else {
            // do something
            }
Indentation

Between any pair of braces, the indentation level should increase by 4 spaces. Spaces should be used for all indentation.

Spaces

Use a space after keywords such as: 

if, while, for, return

Use a space on each side of binary operators such as 

=  +  -  <  >  *  /  %   <=  >=  ==  !=

Do not use space after prefix unary operators such as 

& * !

Do not use space before postfix unary operators such as 

++ --
Do not use space on each side of member access operators such as 
. ->
Spaces

Use a space after keywords such as: 

if, while, for, return

Use a space on each side of binary operators such as 

=  +  -  <  >  *  /  %   <=  >=  ==  !=

Do not use space after prefix unary operators such as 

& * !

Do not use space before postfix unary operators such as 

++ --
Do not use space on each side of member access operators such as 
. ->


// This is correct:
if (a + b > c) {
    i++;
    curr = curr->next;
}


// This is *not* correct:
if(a+b>c) {
    i ++;
    curr = curr -> next;
}
Statements

Only one executable statement should be used per line of code.

Statements

Only one executable statement should be used per line of code.

Don't put multiple statements on a single line - it makes code very hard to read.

Line Width

Keep lines under 80 characters.

Line Width

Keep lines under 80 characters.

Break long lines up to keep them under 80 characters, unless keeping it as a longer line is significantly more readable.

Line Width

Keep lines under 80 characters. 


// This is WAY too long:
if (something && somethingElse && somethingElseAgain && anotherThing && evenMoreThings && somethingElseEntirely && thereAreTooManyConditions && thisLineIsTooLong) {

// This is better (but consider using a function instead):
if (something && somethingElse && somethingElseAgain && anotherThing &&
    evenMoreThings && somethingElseEntirely && thereAreTooManyConditions &&
    thisLineIsTooLong) {

// This is best:
if (thoseThingsAreTrue()) {

Constants

Constants

Use #define to give constants names.

#defines must be written in ALL_CAPS_WITH_UNDERSCORES.

Constants

Use #define to give constants names.

#defines must be written in ALL_CAPS_WITH_UNDERSCORES.

Unexplained numbers,often called magic numbers, appearing in code make it hard to understand.

If a number appears multiple times in the code, bugs are created when the code changed but not all occurrences of the number are changed.

A similar problem is that a number may appear in the code for multiple reasons, e.g. a commonly used number like 10, and if the code needs to be changed it can be hard to determine which occurrences of the number should be changed.

enum is also used be programmers to give constants names in C.

Constants

Use #define to give constants names.

#defines must be written in ALL_CAPS_WITH_UNDERSCORES. 

#define DAYS_OF_WEEK 7

// ....

int array[DAYS_OF_WEEK];
int i = 0;
while (i < DAYS_OF_WEEK) {
    a[i] = i;
    i++;
}
Constants

Use #define to give constants names.

#defines must be written in ALL_CAPS_WITH_UNDERSCORES. 


// BAD - the constant 7 should be given a name
int array[7];
int i = 0;
while (i < 7) {
    a[i] = i;
    i++;
}

Variables

Variable Names

Descriptive variable names should always be used where possible.

Short variable names such as x or i are acceptable if there is no appropriate long descriptive name. This is often the case for variables used as loop counters.

Variable names must begin with a lower case letter.

Multi-word variable names be in either snake_case or camelCase. Use only one of these approaches in your program.

#define names must be in ALL_CAPS_WITH_UNDERSCORES.

Declaring Variables

Variables can be declared when they are first assigned a value, as part of assigning the value.

Declaring Variables

Variables can be declared when they are first assigned a value, as part of assigning the value. 

// This is fine:
int i = 0;

// Probably avoid this:
int i;
[insert a lot of other code here]
i = 0;
Loop Variables

It is recommended variables controlling while loops be declared before the loop and used only to control that loop.

It is recommended variables controlling for loops be declared as part of the for loop

Loop Variables

It is recommended variables controlling while loops be declared before the loop and used only to control that loop.

It is recommended variables controlling for loops be declared as part of the for loop 

int i = 0;
while (i < MAXIMUM) {
    // do something
    i++;
}

for (int i = 0; i < MAXIMUM; i++) {
    // do something
}
Global and Static Variables

Global variables should be avoided. Static variables should be avoided.

Global and Static Variables

Global variables should be avoided. Static variables should be avoided.

Global variables are variables that are declared outside of a function.

Global variables make code hard to read, debug, maintain and parallelize.

There are important uses for global variables but few if any exercises in this course will require them.

There is likely to be a major style deduction if you use global variables unnecessarily.

const global variables are an exception. As they are read-only they do not have the disadvantages described here.

Static variables inside functions persist between functions calls which also makes code hard to debug and parallelize.

There is likely to be a major style deduction if you use static variables unnecessarily.

Large Arrays As Local Variables

Large arrays should not be declared as local variables.

Large Arrays As Local Variables

Large arrays should not be declared as local variables.

Many C implementations handle poorly local variables consuming more than a small amount of memory, often terminating with a cryptic message if the storage used for local variables exceeds a few megabytes.

This applies both to arrays with size fixed at compile-time and variable-length arrays.

For this reason programmers often use malloc for larger arrays. malloc gives the programmer complete control over storage lifetime, but as a consequence introduces other classes of bugs.

Libraries

Libraries

Unless a task specifies otherwise, you are only permitted to call functions from the default C libraries.

In other words, you are not permitted to use the -l option to dcc/gcc/clang to include other libraries.

External Programs

Unless a task specifies otherwise, you are not permitted to run other programs from your C program, using the function posix_spawn, system, popen, fork, exec or otherwise.

Some tasks will require use of these functions. Most tasks will require a single C (or MIPS) program.

Warnings, Errors & Undefined Behaviour

Compile-time Warnings

Your code should not generate any warnings or errors when compiled with dcc.

You should assume warnings from dcc are errors that need to be fixed.

Invalid C, Run-time errors & Undefined Behaviour

Your code should not perform any operation which results in undefined behaviour or a runtime error (when given any input that is permitted for the exercise).

For example, you must ensure your code does not access uninitialized variables, overflow numeric variables, access non-existent illegal array elements or dereference NULL pointers.

All of these will heavily penalized in marking.

We will use some code with undefined or implementation-specific behaviour to explore data representation in lectures and labs. You will not be asked to write such code.

Invalid C, Run-time errors & Undefined Behaviour

Your code should not perform any operation which results in undefined behaviour or a runtime error (when given any input that is permitted for the exercise).

For example, you must ensure your code does not access uninitialized variables, overflow numeric variables, access non-existent illegal array elements or dereference NULL pointers.

All of these will heavily penalized in marking.

We will use some code with undefined or implementation-specific behaviour to explore data representation in lectures and labs. You will not be asked to write such code.

Novice programmers need to be very careful that their code is not invalid.

For example, they need to carefully consider whether an expression used to index an array will always result in a valid array index.

Invalid C is a frequent source of serious security exploits - for example attackers often exploit invalid array indices and integer overflows.

Functions

Repeated Code

Do not cut-and-paste code. The same code should not appear twice in your program. Avoid repeating code by defining a function and calling it twice (or more).

Repeated Code

Do not cut-and-paste code. The same code should not appear twice in your program. Avoid repeating code by defining a function and calling it twice (or more).

Repeated code makes your program hard to understand and hard to change.

Function Purpose

Functions should have one clearly defined purpose and should be short.

"Functions should do one thing, and one thing only."

Function Purpose

Functions should have one clearly defined purpose and should be short.

"Functions should do one thing, and one thing only."

If you have a function that performs two smaller tasks in sequence, make a function for each of those smaller tasks and call them from the more abstract function. Aim for your functions to be less than 20 lines or less. If they are long, think of how you can break them up into smaller functions.

Function Prototypes / Function Signatures

Function prototypes must be used for all functions (except main) and must come before all functions, appearing in the same order as the function implementations.

Function signatures must have the return type, function name, and state the argument list.

Function Prototypes / Function Signatures

Function prototypes must be used for all functions (except main) and must come before all functions, appearing in the same order as the function implementations.

Function signatures must have the return type, function name, and state the argument list.

Function prototypes describe functions be telling the compiler (and anyone reading the program):

  • The type of value the function returns
  • The name of the function
  • The type and name of any arguments to the function
Function Comments

Every function must have a comment placed before the function implementation describing the purpose of the function and any side-effects the function has.

Function Comments

Every function must have a comment placed before the function implementation describing the purpose of the function and any side-effects the function has. 

// return pointer to last node in list
// NULL is returned if list is empty

struct node *last(struct node *head) {
Function Names

Function names should be descriptive, typically containing multiple words. Function names containing multiple words should be in either snake_case or camelCase. Do not use both approaches in the one program.

Function Names

Function names should be descriptive, typically containing multiple words. Function names containing multiple words should be in either snake_case or camelCase. Do not use both approaches in the one program.

When writing functions for ADTs, you may want to keep your naming consistent and the abstract type name will usually appear in the function name, usually at the end.

Function Arguments

Argument names in a function prototype should match the names used in the function implementation and should always be used in the prototype.

Long function argument lists may be broken over multiple lines.

Functions that do not take any arguments should use (void) instead of an empty argument list.

Function Arguments

Argument names in a function prototype should match the names used in the function implementation and should always be used in the prototype.

Long function argument lists may be broken over multiple lines.

Functions that do not take any arguments should use (void) instead of an empty argument list.

A space may optionally be used between the function name and argument list and the function name.

The return type, function name, and start of the argument list should all be on the same line.

If the argument list is too long to fit on a single line with the function name and return type, it may be split across multiple lines, with the additional lines being indented by 2 stops (8 spaces) or aligned with the first argument in the first line.

Function and argument naming is discussed in the functions section of this document.

Function Arguments

Argument names in a function prototype should match the names used in the function implementation and should always be used in the prototype.

Long function argument lists may be broken over multiple lines.

Functions that do not take any arguments should use (void) instead of an empty argument list. 

// A short function
int aFunctionWithNoArguments(void);

// A short function
int aSimpleFunction(int argumentA, char *argumentB);

// A function with a lot of arguments
int aLongFunction(int argumentA, int argumentB, int argumentC, int argumentD,
        int argumentE, int argumentF);

// Another function with a lot of arguments
int anotherLongFunction(int argumentA, int argumentB, int argumentC,
                        int argumentD, int argumentE, int argumentF);

// Another function with a lot of arguments.
// Note that the closing ');' is on a line by itself to make it clearer where
// the prototype ends.
int anotherLongFunction(
    int argumentA, int argumentB, int argumentC,
    int argumentD, int argumentE, int argumentF
);
Return

Minimise the number of return statements in your functions.

Have multiple multiple returns only if this makes your function less complex or more readable.

For example, it is acceptable to have an early return statement(s) to handle error conditions or special cases, as well as another return statement for the computation of the function's main result.

Avoid These C Features

break

Minimize use of break statements.

break

Minimize use of break statements.

Novice programmers often over-use break statements. producing confusing and difficult to debug code.

Use break only when you are sure it makes your code simpler and more readable.

continue

Avoid using the continue statement.

continue

Avoid using the continue statement.

Novice programmers often misuse and over-use continue statements, producing confusing and difficult to debug code.

Do not to use continue unless you are confident in your programming abilitites and sure it makes your code simpler and more readable.

Macros

Do not use #define statements with parameters (usually called macros).

Define a function instead.

Macros

Do not use #define statements with parameters (usually called macros).

Define a function instead.

Macros introduce a nasty class of bugs due to their implementation as textual pre-processing.

Macros were primarily used for efficiency in the past. This is no longer needed.

Modern C compilers will produce the same code for functions as for macros, without the risk of nasty bugs.

There will be a style deduction if you use macros.

An exception is use of macros for (meta) purposes which can not be implemented with functions.

Pointer Arithmetic

Avoid pointer Arithmetic.

Use array indices instead.

Pointer Arithmetic

Avoid pointer Arithmetic.

Use array indices instead.

Experienced programmers use pointer arithmetic to produce succinct idiomatic code.

Novice programmers confuse themselves by trying to use pointer arithmetic. Any code using pointer arithmetic can also be written using array indices. Use array indices unless you are confident in your programming ability and are sure it is produces more readable code then array indices.

Type Cast

Avoid type casts, except converting between numeric types such uint32_t, int and double.

Type Cast

Avoid type casts, except converting between numeric types such uint32_t, int and double.

Safe use of type casts, other than between numeric types, involves a deep knowledge of C semantics.

An exception would be implementing your own collections data types, for a challenge exercise or the part of an assignment.

We also use type casts to explore data representation in lectures and labs. You will not be asked to write such code.

Type Cast

Avoid type casts, except converting between numeric types such uint32_t, int and double. 

int x = 42;
int y = 11;
double f;
f = x/((double)y);       // convert y to a double
Switch

Avoid the switch statement.

Switch

Avoid the switch statement.

The C switch statement can have subtle and confusing behaviour.

While there are some circumstances, e.g. writing emulators where its use is desirable, in general, leave avoid its use until you are a more experienced programmer.

Use if...else if...else unless you are sure using switch makes your code more readable..

Goto

Do not use goto.

Goto

Do not use goto.

Most programmers completely avoid use of the goto statement because it can produce incomprehensible code.

Introductory programming courses always ban use of goto to help beginner programmers learn better coding techniques.

There are limited circumstances, e.g. writing device drivers or emulators, where goto's use is appropriate

There is likely to be a major style deduction if you use goto.

An exception is where we deliberately write C code which can be directly mapped to assembler.

Comma Operator

Avoid using the comma operator to combine multiple expressions.

Comma Operator

Avoid using the comma operator to combine multiple expressions.

Novice programmers attempting to use the comma operator typically construct unreadable code and confuse themselves.

Experienced programmer usually avoid comma completely.

Ternary If

Avoid using the ternary if: (condition) ? true_expression : false_expression. It should be used only if it makes you code simpler and more readable.

Ternary If

Avoid using the ternary if: (condition) ? true_expression : false_expression. It should be used only if it makes you code simpler and more readable.

Unlike some other languages, C is a statement-oriented language; this means, for example, an if statement doesn't have an inherent value and can't be used inside an expression.

C does have an operator similar to the if statement,the ternary if, which can be used in expressions.

Novice programmers attempting to use the ternary if typically construct unreadable code and confuse themselves.

Many experienced programmers avoid the ternary if entirely,

Use a ternary if only if you are confident in your programming ability and are sure it is produces simpler more readable code.

do...while

Avoid using do {} while (condition); use while (condition) {} instead.

do...while

Avoid using do {} while (condition); use while (condition) {} instead.

The do { ... } while (condition); construct is similar to a normal while (condition) { ... }, except the body will always run before a condition is checked.

Novice programmers often confuse themselves and construct hard to debug code using do...while loops.

Many experienced programmers avoid do...while entirely, but they are commonly used in some contexts such as kernel programming by experienced programmers.

union

Do not use unions use structs instead.

union

Do not use unions use structs instead.

Unions allow a polymorphic datatype to occupy less space than if a struct was used.

Union introduce a nasty class of bugs which are hard to debug and best avoided by novice programmers.

Unions are also sometimes useful for embedded programming and for building language implementations.

We also use unions to explore data representation in lectures and labs. You will not be asked to write such code.