escape sequence

Question

if i write $\text{printf("norma\bl")}$,then output is $norml$,but when i write $\text{printf("normal\b")}$,then output is $normal$..why

can anyone explain concept of $\text{\b}$

Answer 1

first of all its compiler dependent

the concept of '' \b' can be explained from below example

printf("hello\b");

output will be hell as \b(back space) is used to escape one character

for your question printf("norma\bl")

output will be norml as explained above

for printf("normal\b") it will be norma

Answer 2

The output of the /b escape sequence depends on compiler to compiler.

1. Various possible outputs are:Non-destructive backspace : Here, a “\b” just makes the cursor shift backwards , without erasing any data and replacing the current character encountered with the new entered one.
2. The conventional backspace : Here, a “\b” means the normal backspace we use through our keyboards..

Example:
char name1[]=”sachin”;
char name2[]=”al”;
printf(“%s\b\b\b%s”, name1,name2);
Here, the output as per situation 1 would be

sacaln

, and as per situation 2 would be

sacal.