Extra Credit 2

Due: June 2, 2025
Points: 35

C can be a cryptic language. The International Obfuscated C Code Contest pokes fun at this. Entries are to be C programs that are as cryptic, obscure, and difficult to read as possible; but they must compile successfully (usually with warnings!) and do something.

The judges ruled that David Korn’s entry from the 4th International Obfuscated C Code Contest was the best one-line entry ever received up to then. Here it is:


main() { printf(&1["\021%six\12\0"],(1)["have"]+"fun"-0x60);}

Note: If you compile this program on the CSIF, you will get numerous warnings. You do not need to fix them (in fact, you should not) or explain them.

Please submit your answers to the following on Canvas.

(15 points) Simplify the first argument in the printf. Explain your analysis in detail.
(15 points) Simplify the second argument in the printf. Explain your analysis in detail.
(5 points) What does the printf print? Explain your analysis in detail.

Matt Bishop
Office: 2209 Watershed Sciences
Phone: +1 (530) 752-8060
Email: mabishop@ucdavis.edu

ECS 36A, Programming and Problem Solving
Version of May 20, 2025 at 3:58PM

You can also obtain a PDF version of this.