⓱C Program to Print a Square Pattern

C Program to Print a Square Pattern

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#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int i, j, n;

    printf("Enter the size of square: ");
    scanf("%d", &n);

    for(i = 1; i <= n; i++)        // Outer loop for rows
    {
        for(j = 1; j <= n; j++)    // Inner loop for columns
        {
            printf("* ");
        }
        printf("\n");              // Move to next line after one row
    }

    return 0;
}

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Explanation of Loops

1️⃣ Outer Loop (Row Loop)

for(i = 1; i <= n; i++)

Purpose: Controls the number of rows

Example if n = 5

Iteration	Row Printed
i = 1	First row
i = 2	Second row
i = 3	Third row
i = 4	Fourth row
i = 5	Fifth row

So the outer loop runs n times.

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2️⃣ Inner Loop (Column Loop)

for(j = 1; j <= n; j++)

Purpose: Prints stars in each row

For every row, the inner loop prints n stars.

Example for first row:

j value	Output
j = 1	*
j = 2	*
j = 3	*
j = 4	*
j = 5	*

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3️⃣ New Line

printf("\n");

After printing n stars, we move to the next row.

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How the Program Works (Step-by-Step)

If n = 3

1. i = 1 → inner loop prints ***

2. i = 2 → inner loop prints ***

3. i = 3 → inner loop prints ***

Output

* * *
* * *
* * *

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Important Concept for Pattern Questions

👉 Outer loop → rows
👉 Inner loop → columns / printing symbols

This rule works for almost all pattern programs.

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✅ Next Program: Printing a Right Triangle Star Pattern in C using loops