GATE CS 2016 Set 1 — Question 45

MCQ+2 / -0.67MediumFunctions & RecursionC ProgrammingProgramming & Data StructuresStorage Classes

Programming & Data Structures → C Programming → Functions & Recursion

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

What will be the output of the following C program? void count(int n){ static int d=1; printf("%d ", n); printf("%d ", d); d++; if(n>1) count(n-1); printf("%d ", d); } void main(){ count(3); }

Correct answer (A) 3 1 2 2 1 3 4 4 4 Solution Let's trace the execution. d is a static variable initialized to 1. It retains its value across function calls. 1. main calls count(3) : Prints n : 3 Prints d : 1 d becomes 2. n > 1 (3 > 1) is true. Calls count(2) . 2. count(2) : Prints n : 2 Prints d : 2 (current value of static d) d becomes 3. n > 1 (2 > 1) is true. Calls count(1) . 3. count(1) : Prints n : 1 Prints d : 3 (current value of static d) d becomes 4. n > 1 (1 > 1) is false. Recursion stops. Prints d : 4 (current value of static d) Returns to count(2) . 4. Back in count(2) : Prints d : 4 (current value of static d) Returns to count(3) . 5. Back in count(3) : Prints d : 4 (current value of static d) Returns to main . Total Output Sequence : 3 1 2 2 1 3 4 4 4 Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) 3 1 2 2 1 3 4 4 4 Solution Let's trace the execution. d is a static variable initialized to 1. It retains its value across function calls. 1. main calls count(3) : Prints n : 3 Prints d : 1 d becomes 2. n > 1 (3 > 1) is true. Calls count(2) . 2. count(2) : Prints n : 2 Prints d : 2 (current value of static d) d becomes 3. n > 1 (2 > 1) is true. Calls count(1) . 3. count(1) : Prints n : 1 Prints d : 3 (current value of static d) d becomes 4. n > 1 (1 > 1) is false. Recursion stops. Prints d : 4 (current value of static d) Returns to count(2) . 4. Back in count(2) : Prints d : 4 (current value of static d) Returns to count(3) . 5. Back in count(3) : Prints d : 4 (current value of static d) Returns to main . Total Output Sequence : 3 1 2 2 1 3 4 4 4

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