C Program to Read Structure Elements from the Keyboard

Written: August 22, 2026

This lab is about scanf/fgets into struct fields without mixing leftover newlines.

This walkthrough keeps the logic small and readable so you can type it, run it, and then change one input at a time to see what happens.

What you will build

You will declare a struct, read each member, and print confirmation output.

  • Declare the struct
  • Prompt and scanf each field
  • Print the struct

Working C example

#include <stdio.h>

struct book {
    int id;
    char title[80];
    float price;
};

int main(void) {
    struct book b;
    printf("ID: ");
    scanf("%d", &b.id);
    printf("Title: ");
    scanf(" %79[^\n]", b.title);
    printf("Price: ");
    scanf("%f", &b.price);

    printf("Book %d: %s (%.2f)\n", b.id, b.title, b.price);
    return 0;
}

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How the logic works

Read the program top to bottom: includes and main first, then the statements that change variables, then the print that proves the result.

If your output looks wrong, print the variables before and after the critical lines. That single habit catches most beginner bugs faster than rewriting the whole file.

After %d, use a leading space in the next scanf or an explicit getchar to consume the newline.

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Common mistakes

Forgetting a semicolon, using the wrong format specifier in printf/scanf, and mixing up assignment (=) with comparison (==) are the usual culprits.

Compile with warnings enabled (`gcc -Wall`) so the compiler points at risky casts and unused variables before you chase them by hand.

Try this next

Change the sample inputs, add a second test case, and briefly note what stayed the same. Teaching yourself with tiny experiments sticks better than copying a longer program you never run.

When you can explain every line without looking, you are ready for the next exercise in the series.

Keep learning

If this walkthrough on read structure elements from keyboard c helped, open the code again and change one input or assumption. Small experiments beat rereading the same example.

Want more step-by-step tutorials like this? Browse blog.xqa.io — and tell us which topic you want next.

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