Out of the functions fgets() and gets(), which one is safer to use and why

Choosing Between fgets() and gets() in C Programming

When it comes to reading input from users in C programming, it's crucial to prioritize safety and security. Two commonly used functions for this purpose are fgets() and gets(). However, one of these functions stands out as the safer choice due to its built-in safeguards. Let's compare both to understand why.

1. fgets()

• Safer Input Handling:

  • fgets() is designed to read a specified number of characters from the input stream. This prevents buffer overflows, a common vulnerability in C programs, where more data is stored in a buffer than it can hold.

• Controlled Input Length:

  • With fgets(), you specify the maximum number of characters to read, which helps to ensure that input does not exceed the allocated buffer size.

• Handling Newline Characters:

  • fgets() retains newline characters, which can be crucial for processing text files correctly.

• Usage:

  char buffer[100];
  fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer), stdin);

   

2. gets()

• Unsafe for Buffer Overflow:

  • gets() does not provide a way to limit the number of characters read. This makes it highly susceptible to buffer overflows, which can lead to program crashes or, even worse, security vulnerabilities.

• No Length Specification:

  • This function reads characters until a newline or EOF is encountered. Without specifying a limit, it can lead to unexpected behavior if the user enters more characters than expected.

• Lacks Error Handling:

  • gets() does not provide an error indicator, making it harder to handle erroneous input.

• Considered Unsafe:

  • Due to its inherent vulnerability to buffer overflow attacks, modern C programming practices strongly discourage the use of gets().

• Deprecated:

  • As of the C11 standard, gets() has been officially deprecated, further emphasizing the need to avoid its use.

Conclusion

In summary, when choosing between fgets() and gets() in C programming, fgets() emerges as the safer option. Its ability to specify a maximum input length helps prevent buffer overflows and enhances the overall security of the program. On the other hand, gets() is considered unsafe due to its lack of input length control, making it a less reliable choice for reading user input. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use fgets() for secure and controlled input handling in C programs