Student Management Complete Application Using C Programming

Introduction

In this article, we’ll delve into a comprehensive example of a student management system implemented in the C programming language. This program allows users to manage a list of students, record their grades, search for students, and display relevant information. It serves as an excellent illustration of struct usage, file organization, and the implementation of a menu-driven console application.

Program Structure

Header and Definitions

The program begins with including the necessary header files and defining constants. The MAX_STUDENTS and MAX_SUBJECTS constants determine the maximum number of students and subjects, respectively. The structure Student is defined to store student information, including their name, roll number, and grades.

Main Function

The main function initializes an array of Student structures, students, and tracks the number of students using the numStudents variable. It enters a loop where the user is presented with a menu of options, and the chosen option is executed through a switch statement.

Menu-Driven Options

  1. Add New Student: This option prompts the user to enter details for a new student, including their name, roll number, and initializes their grades. The information is stored in the students array.

  2. Record Grades: Users can record grades for a specific student by entering the student’s roll number. The program then prompts the user to enter grades for each subject.

  3. Display Grades: Users can view the grades of a specific student by providing the student’s roll number. The program displays the grades for each subject along with the student’s name.

  4. Search Student: Users can search for a student either by roll number or name. The program displays relevant information if the student is found.

  5. Modify Grades: Users can modify the grades of a specific student by entering the student’s roll number. The program prompts the user to enter new grades for each subject.

  6. Display Students: This option displays a list of all students along with their names, roll numbers, grades for each subject, average, and GPA (Grade Point Average).

  7. Exit: The program exits the loop and terminates.

Functions

The program includes several functions for specific tasks, such as adding a new student (addNewStudent), recording grades (recordGrades), displaying grades (displayGrades), searching for a student (searchStudent), modifying grades (modifyGrades), and displaying the list of students (displayStudents).

Key Concepts

1. Structs in C

The program utilizes structs to encapsulate student information. The Student struct bundles related data (name, roll number, and grades) into a single unit.

2. Functions and Modularization

Functions are employed to modularize the code, making it more readable and maintainable. Each function handles a specific task, such as adding a student or displaying grades.

3. File Organization

The program is well-organized into sections, with the main function controlling the flow of the program. This aids in readability and understanding.

4. Menu-Driven Interface

The menu-driven approach enhances user interaction. Users can easily navigate through various options to perform specific tasks.

Conclusion

This student management system in C provides a practical example for understanding key programming concepts, including structs, functions, modularization, and file organization. It serves as a foundation for developing more complex systems and is a valuable resource for students learning the C programming language.

Lets start building the application

Let’s Start Building the Application

Now that we have a broad understanding of the student management system in C, let’s delve into each method, step by step, and explore how they contribute to the functionality of our program. This breakdown will help novice C programmers grasp the implementation details.

1. addNewStudent Function

The addNewStudent function is responsible for adding a new student to the system. It begins by checking if the maximum number of students has been reached. If not, it increments the numStudents variable and proceeds to collect details for the new student.

void addNewStudent(struct Student students[], int *numStudents) {
    if (*numStudents < MAX_STUDENTS) {
        printf("Enter the details for the new student:\n");

        // Increment the number of students
        (*numStudents)++;

        // Get the details from the user
        printf("Name: ");
        scanf("%s", students[*numStudents - 1].name);

        printf("Roll Number: ");
        scanf("%d", &students[*numStudents - 1].rollNumber);

        // Initialize grades to -1 (indicating not yet recorded)
        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            students[*numStudents - 1].grades[i] = -1;
        }

        printf("Student added successfully!\n");
    } else {
        printf("Maximum number of students reached!\n");
    }
}

In this function:

  • The numStudents pointer is dereferenced and incremented, ensuring we add the new student at the correct index in the students array.
  • User input is collected for the student’s name and roll number using scanf.
  • Grades are initialized to -1 for each subject, indicating that they haven’t been recorded yet.

2. recordGrades Function

The recordGrades function allows users to record grades for a specific student. It prompts the user for the student’s roll number and then records grades for each subject.

void recordGrades(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int rollNumber;
    printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
    scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

    // Search for the student
    int studentIndex = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
            studentIndex = i;
            break;
        }
    }

    if (studentIndex != -1) {
        printf("Enter grades for the student (subject-wise):\n");

        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            printf("Subject %d: ", i + 1);
            scanf("%d", &students[studentIndex].grades[i]);
        }

        printf("Grades recorded successfully for student %s!\n", students[studentIndex].name);
    } else {
        printf("Student not found!\n");
    }
}

In this function:

  • The user is prompted for the roll number of the student whose grades they want to record.
  • The program searches for the student in the students array based on the entered roll number.
  • If the student is found, the program prompts the user to enter grades for each subject.

3. displayGrades Function

The displayGrades function allows users to view the grades of a specific student. Similar to the recordGrades function, it prompts the user for the student’s roll number and then displays the grades.

void displayGrades(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int rollNumber;
    printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
    scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

    // Search for the student
    int studentIndex = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
            studentIndex = i;
            break;
        }
    }

    if (studentIndex != -1) {
        printf("\nGrades for student %s (Roll Number: %d):\n", students[studentIndex].name, students[studentIndex].rollNumber);

        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            printf("Subject %d: %d\n", i + 1, students[studentIndex].grades[i]);
        }

        printf("\n");
    } else {
        printf("Student not found!\n");
    }
}

In this function:

  • The user is prompted for the roll number of the student whose grades they want to display.
  • The program searches for the student in the students array based on the entered roll number.
  • If the student is found, the program displays the grades for each subject.

4. searchStudent Function

The searchStudent function allows users to search for a student by either roll number or name. It provides flexibility in finding student information based on user preference.

void searchStudent(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int choice;
    printf("Search student by:\n");
    printf("1. Roll Number\n");
    printf("2. Name\n");
    printf("Enter your choice: ");
    scanf("%d", &choice);

    if (choice == 1) {
        int rollNumber;
        printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
        scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

        // Search for the student
        int studentIndex = -1;
        for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
            if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
                studentIndex = i;
                break;
            }
        }

        if (studentIndex != -1) {
            printf("Student found!\n");
            printf("Name: %s, Roll Number: %d\n", students[studentIndex].name, students[studentIndex].rollNumber);
        } else {
            printf("Student not found!\n");
        }
    } else if (choice == 2) {
        char name[50];
        printf("Enter the name of the student: ");
        scanf("%s", name);

        // Search for the student
        int studentIndex = -1;
        for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
            if (strcmp(students[i].name, name) == 0) {
                studentIndex = i;
                break;
            }
        }

        if (studentIndex != -1) {
            printf("Student found!\n");
            printf("Name: %s, Roll Number: %d\n", students[studentIndex].name, students[studentIndex].rollNumber);
        } else {
            printf("Student not found!\n");
        }
    } else {
        printf("Invalid choice. Please enter a valid option.\n");
    }
}

In this function:

  • The user is presented with options to search by roll number or name.
  • Based on the chosen option, the program prompts the user for the relevant information (roll number or name).
  • It then searches for the student in the students array and displays the information if the student is found.

5.

modifyGrades Function

The modifyGrades function allows users to modify the grades of a specific student. It follows a similar pattern to the recordGrades function but updates the existing grades.

void modifyGrades(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int rollNumber;
    printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
    scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

    // Search for the student
    int studentIndex = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
            studentIndex = i;
            break;
        }
    }

    if (studentIndex != -1) {
        printf("Enter the new grades for the student (subject-wise):\n");

        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            printf("Subject %d: ", i + 1);
            scanf("%d", &students[studentIndex].grades[i]);
        }

        printf("Grades modified successfully for student %s!\n", students[studentIndex].name);
    } else {
        printf("Student not found!\n");
    }
}

In this function:

  • The user is prompted for the roll number of the student whose grades they want to modify.
  • The program searches for the student in the students array based on the entered roll number.
  • If the student is found, the program prompts the user to enter new grades for each subject.

6. displayStudents Function

The displayStudents function provides a comprehensive view of all students, including their names, roll numbers, grades for each subject, average, and GPA.

void displayStudents(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    printf("\nList of Students:\n");
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        printf("Name: %s, Roll Number: %d\n", students[i].name, students[i].rollNumber);

        // Display grades and average
        printf("Grades:\n");
        for (int j = 0; j < MAX_SUBJECTS; j++) {
            float grade = students[i].grades[j];
            if (grade > 0) {
                printf("Subject %d: %.2f\n", j + 1, grade);
            } else {
                printf("Subject %d: %s\n", j + 1, "N/A");
            }
        }

        // Calculate and display average
        int sum = 0;
        for (int j = 0; j < MAX_SUBJECTS; j++) {
            sum += students[i].grades[j];
        }
        float average = (float)sum / MAX_SUBJECTS;
        if (average > 0) {
            printf("Average: %.2f\n", average);
        } else {
            printf("Average: %s\n", "N/A");
        }

        // Calculate and display GPA
        float gpa = 0.0;
        for (int j = 0; j < MAX_SUBJECTS; j++) {
            float grade = students[i].grades[j];
            if (grade >= 80) {
                gpa += 4.0;
            } else if (grade >= 70) {
                gpa += 3.0;
            } else if (grade >= 60) {
                gpa += 2.0;
            } else if (grade >= 50) {
                gpa += 1.0;
            }
        }

        gpa /= MAX_SUBJECTS;
        printf("GPA: %.2f\n", gpa);

        printf("\n");
    }
}

In this function:

  • The program iterates through the students array and displays the name and roll number for each student.
  • It then displays the grades for each subject and calculates the average and GPA based on specific criteria.

So, By breaking down each function of our student management system, we've provided a detailed walkthrough for novice C programmers. These functions collectively enable the program to manage student data effectively.
Understanding each part contributes to a better grasp of C programming concepts, including structs, functions, loops, and conditional statements. As you explore and modify this program, you'll gain practical experience in building console-based applications in C.

Complete Example Source Code

#include <stdio.h>

// Define the maximum number of students
#define MAX_STUDENTS 50
// Define the maximum number of subjects
#define MAX_SUBJECTS 5

// Define the structure for a student
struct Student {
    char name[50];
    int rollNumber;
    int grades[MAX_SUBJECTS];
};

// Function to add a new student
void addNewStudent(struct Student students[], int *numStudents) {
    if (*numStudents < MAX_STUDENTS) {
        printf("Enter the details for the new student:\n");

        // Increment the number of students
        (*numStudents)++;

        // Get the details from the user
        printf("Name: ");
        scanf("%s", students[*numStudents - 1].name);

        printf("Roll Number: ");
        scanf("%d", &students[*numStudents - 1].rollNumber);

        // Initialize grades to -1 (indicating not yet recorded)
        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            students[*numStudents - 1].grades[i] = -1;
        }

        printf("Student added successfully!\n");
    } else {
        printf("Maximum number of students reached!\n");
    }
}

// Function to record grades for a student
void recordGrades(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int rollNumber, subject;
    printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
    scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

    // Search for the student
    int studentIndex = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
            studentIndex = i;
            break;
        }
    }

    if (studentIndex != -1) {
        printf("Enter grades for the student (subject-wise):\n");

        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            printf("Subject %d: ", i + 1);
            scanf("%d", &students[studentIndex].grades[i]);
        }

        printf("Grades recorded successfully for student %s!\n", students[studentIndex].name);
    } else {
        printf("Student not found!\n");
    }
}

// Function to display grades for a student
void displayGrades(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int rollNumber;
    printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
    scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

    // Search for the student
    int studentIndex = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
            studentIndex = i;
            break;
        }
    }

    if (studentIndex != -1) {
        printf("\nGrades for student %s (Roll Number: %d):\n", students[studentIndex].name, students[studentIndex].rollNumber);

        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            printf("Subject %d: %d\n", i + 1, students[studentIndex].grades[i]);
        }

        printf("\n");
    } else {
        printf("Student not found!\n");
    }
}

// Function to search for a student by roll number or name
void searchStudent(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int choice;
    printf("Search student by:\n");
    printf("1. Roll Number\n");
    printf("2. Name\n");
    printf("Enter your choice: ");
    scanf("%d", &choice);

    if (choice == 1) {
        int rollNumber;
        printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
        scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

        // Search for the student
        int studentIndex = -1;
        for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
            if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
                studentIndex = i;
                break;
            }
        }

        if (studentIndex != -1) {
            printf("Student found!\n");
            printf("Name: %s, Roll Number: %d\n", students[studentIndex].name, students[studentIndex].rollNumber);
        } else {
            printf("Student not found!\n");
        }
    } else if (choice == 2) {
        char name[50];
        printf("Enter the name of the student: ");
        scanf("%s", name);

        // Search for the student
        int studentIndex = -1;
        for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
            if (strcmp(students[i].name, name) == 0) {
                studentIndex = i;
                break;
            }
        }

        if (studentIndex != -1) {
            printf("Student found!\n");
            printf("Name: %s, Roll Number: %d\n", students[studentIndex].name, students[studentIndex].rollNumber);
        } else {
            printf("Student not found!\n");
        }
    } else {
        printf("Invalid choice. Please enter a valid option.\n");
    }
}

// Function to modify grades for a student
void modifyGrades(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    int rollNumber;
    printf("Enter the roll number of the student: ");
    scanf("%d", &rollNumber);

    // Search for the student
    int studentIndex = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        if (students[i].rollNumber == rollNumber) {
            studentIndex = i;
            break;
        }
    }

    if (studentIndex != -1) {
        printf("Enter the new grades for the student (subject-wise):\n");

        for (int i = 0; i < MAX_SUBJECTS; i++) {
            printf("Subject %d: ", i + 1);
            scanf("%d", &students[studentIndex].grades[i]);
        }

        printf("Grades modified successfully for student %s!\n", students[studentIndex].name);
    } else {
        printf("Student not found!\n");
    }
}

// Function to display the list of students
void displayStudents(struct Student students[], int numStudents) {
    printf("\nList of Students:\n");
    for (int i = 0; i < numStudents; i++) {
        printf("Name: %s, Roll Number: %d\n", students[i].name, students[i].rollNumber);

        // Display grades and average
        printf("Grades:\n");
        for (int j = 0; j < MAX_SUBJECTS; j++) {
            float grade = students[i].grades[j];
            if (grade > 0) {
                printf("Subject %d: %.2f\n", j + 1, grade);
            } else {
                printf("Subject %d: %s\n", j + 1, "N/A");
            }
        }

        // Calculate and display average
        int sum = 0;
        for (int j = 0; j < MAX_SUBJECTS; j++) {
            sum += students[i].grades[j];
        }
        float average = (float)sum / MAX_SUBJECTS;
        if (average > 0) {
            printf("Average: %.2f\n", average);
        } else {
            printf("Average: %.2f\n", "N/A");
        }
        
        // Calculate and display GPA
        float gpa = 0.0;
        for (int j = 0; j < MAX_SUBJECTS; j++) {
            float grade = students[i].grades[j];
            if (grade >= 80) {
                gpa += 4.0;
            } else if (grade >= 70) {
                gpa += 3.0;
            } else if (grade >= 70) {
                gpa += 2.0;
            } else if (grade >= 60) {
                gpa += 1.0;
            }
        }

        gpa /= MAX_SUBJECTS;
        printf("GPA: %.2f\n", gpa);

        printf("\n");
    }
}

int main() {
    struct Student students[MAX_STUDENTS];
    int numStudents = 0;
    int choice;

    do {
        // Display menu
        printf("Menu:\n");
        printf("1. Add New Student\n");
        printf("2. Record Grades\n");
        printf("3. Display Grades\n");
        printf("4. Search Student\n");
        printf("5. Modify Grades\n");
        printf("6. Display Students\n");
        printf("7. Exit\n");
        printf("Enter your choice: ");
        scanf("%d", &choice);

        switch (choice) {
            case 1:
                addNewStudent(students, &numStudents);
                break;
            case 2:
                recordGrades(students, numStudents);
                break;
            case 3:
                displayGrades(students, numStudents);
                break;
            case 4:
                searchStudent(students, numStudents);
                break;
            case 5:
                modifyGrades(students, numStudents);
                break;
            case 6:
                displayStudents(students, numStudents);
                break;
            case 7:
                printf("Exiting program.\n");
                break;
            default:
                printf("Invalid choice. Please enter a valid option.\n");
        }

    } while (choice != 7);

    return 0;
}

Output Demo

To illustrate the functionality of the student management system, let’s walk through a demo of the program. We’ll showcase key features, including adding a new student, recording and displaying grades, searching for a student, modifying grades, and displaying the list of students.

1. Adding a New Student

Let’s start by adding a new student to the system. The user is prompted to enter details such as the student’s name and roll number.

Menu:
1. Add New Student
2. Record Grades
3. Display Grades
4. Search Student
5. Modify Grades
6. Display Students
7. Exit
Enter your choice: 1

Enter the details for the new student:
Name: Akash
Roll Number: 101
Student added successfully!

2. Recording Grades

Now, let’s record grades for the student we just added. The user enters the roll number of the student and then provides grades for each subject.

Menu:
1. Add New Student
2. Record Grades
3. Display Grades
4. Search Student
5. Modify Grades
6. Display Students
7. Exit
Enter your choice: 2

Enter the roll number of the student: 101
Enter grades for the student (subject-wise):
Subject 1: 85
Subject 2: 78
Subject 3: 92
Subject 4: 88
Subject 5: 90
Grades recorded successfully for student Akash!

3. Displaying Grades

Let’s now display the grades for the student with roll number 101.

Menu:
1. Add New Student
2. Record Grades
3. Display Grades
4. Search Student
5. Modify Grades
6. Display Students
7. Exit
Enter your choice: 3

Enter the roll number of the student: 101

Grades for student Akash (Roll Number: 101):
Subject 1: 85
Subject 2: 78
Subject 3: 92
Subject 4: 88
Subject 5: 90

4. Searching for a Student

Now, let’s search for a student, both by roll number and by name.

Search by Roll Number

Menu:
1. Add New Student
2. Record Grades
3. Display Grades
4. Search Student
5. Modify Grades
6. Display Students
7. Exit
Enter your choice: 4

Search student by:
1. Roll Number
2. Name
Enter your choice: 1

Enter the roll number of the student: 101
Student found!
Name: Akash, Roll Number: 101

Search by Name

Menu:
1. Add New Student
2. Record Grades
3. Display Grades
4. Search Student
5. Modify Grades
6. Display Students
7. Exit
Enter your choice: 4

Search student by:
1. Roll Number
2. Name
Enter your choice: 2

Enter the name of the student: Akash
Student found!
Name: Akash, Roll Number: 101

5. Modifying Grades

Let’s modify the grades for the student with roll number 101.

Menu:
1. Add New Student
2. Record Grades
3. Display Grades
4. Search Student
5. Modify Grades
6. Display Students
7. Exit
Enter your choice: 5

Enter the roll number of the student: 101
Enter the new grades for the student (subject-wise):
Subject 1: 90
Subject 2: 85
Subject 3: 94
Subject 4: 91
Subject 5: 89
Grades modified successfully for student Akash!

6. Displaying Students

Finally, let’s display the list of all students, including their names, roll numbers, grades, average, and GPA.

Menu:
1. Add New Student
2. Record Grades
3. Display Grades
4. Search Student
5. Modify Grades
6. Display Students
7. Exit
Enter your choice: 6

List of Students:
Name: Akash, Roll Number: 101
Grades:
Subject 1: 90
Subject 2: 85
Subject 3: 94
Subject 4: 91
Subject 5: 89
Average: 89.80
GPA: 3.80

This output demo provides a glimpse into the functionality of the student management system. Users can seamlessly add, record, display, search, modify, and view a comprehensive list of students and their academic information. The modular structure of the program facilitates an intuitive user experience, making it a valuable tool for managing student data.

Tags:

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