Welcome to the repository of Libft, your first custom C library! This project is part of the 42 School curriculum and serves as a foundation for many future C projects. You'll implement essential C library functions, create utility functions, and—if you choose—expand the library with advanced list operations.
- Introduction
- Project Structure
- Technologies Used
- Installation
- Usage
- Mandatory Part
- Bonus Part
- Contributing
- Acknowledgements
- Author
Programming in C can sometimes feel tedious without access to commonly used functions. This project, Libft, provides you with the opportunity to build your own C library by reimplementing standard functions (like those from libc) and adding new, helpful utility functions. These will serve as a valuable toolkit for all your future C projects.
The Libft library will be your foundation for handling strings, memory, file descriptors, and much more. If you complete the bonus part, you'll also implement essential linked list management functions.
.
├── ft_*.c # Source files implementing required functions
├── libft.h # Header file containing function prototypes
├── Makefile # Makefile to compile the library
├── README.md # This README file
└── libft.a # Compiled library after running makeThis structure ensures that the library is modular and easy to manage. Each C file focuses on a particular category of functions (e.g., string manipulation, memory management).
- C Language: The core language for implementing all functions.
- Makefile: Used to automate the compilation process.
- GCC Compiler: Compiles and links the C source files into the
libft.alibrary.
To get started with Libft, follow these steps to clone and build the library:
-
Clone the Repository:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/libft.git
-
Navigate to the Project Directory:
cd libft -
Compile the Library: Simply run the
makecommand to compile the library:make
After running make, you'll see the libft.a file, which is your compiled static library.
Once compiled, you can use Libft in your own C projects by linking it during compilation.
-
Include the Header in Your Code:
#include "libft.h"
-
Compile Your Project with Libft: You can link Libft with your project by specifying the path to
libft.aduring compilation:gcc -o myproject myproject.c -L. -lft
By using the -L. flag, you specify the current directory where the libft.a file is located, and the -lft flag tells the compiler to link against Libft.
You will implement a selection of functions from the C standard library (libc), prefixed with ft_ to distinguish them from the originals. These functions will help you manage characters, strings, and memory. Some examples include:
ft_isalphaft_isdigitft_isalnumft_isasciift_isprintft_strlenft_memsetft_bzeroft_memcpyft_memmoveft_strlcpyft_strlcatft_toupperft_tolowerft_strchrft_strrchrft_strncmpft_memchrft_memcmpft_strnstrft_atoift_callocft_strdup
In addition to the libc functions, you'll implement utility functions that aren't part of the standard library but are useful for everyday programming:
ft_substrft_strjoinft_strtrimft_splitft_itoaft_strmapift_striterift_putchar_fdft_putstr_fdft_putendl_fdft_putnbr_fd
These functions will help you manipulate strings, convert integers, and print data to file descriptors.
After completing the mandatory part, you can extend your library by implementing linked list functions. These functions will allow you to manage dynamic lists with ease.
ft_lstnewft_lstadd_frontft_lstsizeft_lstlastft_lstadd_backft_lstdeloneft_lstclearft_lstiterft_lstmap
These functions operate on a linked list structure, which is defined as follows:
typedef struct s_list
{
void *content;
struct s_list *next;
} t_list;Implementing these functions will give you a powerful tool for managing linked data structures.
Contributions are welcome! To contribute:
- Fork the Repository.
- Create a Branch for your feature or fix (
git checkout -b feature/AmazingFeature). - Commit Your Changes (
git commit -m 'Add some AmazingFeature'). - Push to Your Branch (
git push origin feature/AmazingFeature). - Open a Pull Request.
Feel free to suggest improvements or request new features to enhance Libft!
A big thank you to 42 School for providing such a challenging and rewarding curriculum. Thanks to the open-source community for their invaluable resources and contributions.
- chrrodri - 42 Barcelona
GitHub Profile
Creating your own custom C library is a rewarding process that improves your understanding of low-level programming and memory management. Libft is just the beginning of your journey, and having this library will be a powerful tool in your future C projects.
Good luck, and happy coding! 🚀