How can one print a size_t variable portably using the printf family?

Question

I have a variable of type `size_t`, and I want to print it using `printf()`. What format specifier do I use to print it portably? In 32-bit machine, `%u` seems right. I compiled with `g++ -g -W -Wall -Werror -ansi -pedantic`, and there was no warning. But when I compile that code in 64-bit machine, it produces warning. size_t x = <something>; printf( "size = %u\\n", x ); warning: format '%u' expects type 'unsigned int', but argument 2 has type 'long unsigned int'The warning goes away, as expected, if I change that to `%lu`.The question is, how can I write the code, so that it compiles warning free on both 32- and 64- bit machines?Edit: As a workaround, I guess one answer might be to "cast" the variable into an integer that is big enough, say `unsigned long`, and print using `%lu`. That would work in both cases. I am looking if there is any other idea.

Answer 1

Try printing it out as a LONG INTEGER:

#include <stdio.h>

#include <stdlib.h>

int main()

{

size_t x=5;

printf("%ld",x);

}