Case
Study
Subject::INTRODUCTION TO PROBLEM SOLVING
Subject Code: CONT_24CSH-101
Name :Gobindo Roy Submitted TO:
UID No : 24BCS80347 Faculty Name : Mr Tushar
Branch : CSE (24INT-110 (A))
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Case Study: Simple Library Management
System in C
1. Introduction
Managing books and keeping track of which books are available, issued, or returned can be a
tiring job if done manually. So, how about making a simple Library Management System using C
programming language?
This project will show how we can use basic C concepts like structures, file handling, and
functions to create a system that stores books, issues them, returns them, and shows all
available books. It’s a great beginner-level project, perfect for understanding real-life
applications of C programming.
2. Objective
The main aim of this project is:
● To store details of books like Title, Author, Book ID, and Availability.
● To allow issuing and returning books.
● To keep records stored permanently, even after the program closes.
● To implement it neatly using modular functions.
3. Tools Used
● Language: C
● Compiler: GCC / Turbo C / Code::Blocks
● Editor: VSCode, Code::Blocks, or any text editor of your choice
4. System Design
Defining Book Structure
struct Book { int id; char title[50]; char
author[50]; int available; // 1 =
Available, 0 = Issued
};
Why structure?
Because it keeps all related information (ID, title, author, status) together, making it easy to
manage.
5. Implementation
1. Adding a New Book
void addBook()
{ struct Book b;
FILE *fp = fopen("library.dat", "ab");
printf("Enter Book ID: ");
scanf("%d", &b.id);
printf("Enter Book Title: ");
getchar(); // clears newline
fgets(b.title, 50, stdin);
printf("Enter Author Name: ");
fgets(b.author, 50, stdin);
b.available = 1;
fwrite(&b, sizeof(b), 1, fp);
fclose(fp); printf("Book added
successfully!\n");
}
2. Displaying All Books
void displayBooks()
{ struct Book b;
FILE *fp = fopen("library.dat", "rb"); printf("\
nAvailable Books:\n"); printf("ID\tTitle\t\tAuthor\t\
tStatus\n");
while (fread(&b, sizeof(b), 1, fp)) {
printf("%d\t%s\t%s\t%s", b.id, b.title, b.author,
(b.available) ? "Available\n" : "Issued\n");
}
fclose(fp);
}
3. Issuing a Book
void issueBook()
{ int id, found = 0;
struct Book b;
FILE *fp = fopen("library.dat", "rb+");
printf("Enter Book ID to issue: ");
scanf("%d", &id);
while (fread(&b, sizeof(b), 1, fp)) {
if (b.id == id && b.available == 1) {
b.available = 0; fseek(fp, -
sizeof(b), SEEK_CUR); fwrite(&b,
sizeof(b), 1, fp); printf("Book issued
successfully!\n"); found = 1; break;
}
}
if (!found) {
printf("Book not found or already issued.\n");
}
fclose(fp);
}
4. Returning a Book
void returnBook()
{ int id, found = 0;
struct Book b;
FILE *fp = fopen("library.dat", "rb+");
printf("Enter Book ID to return: ");
scanf("%d", &id);
while (fread(&b, sizeof(b), 1, fp)) {
if (b.id == id && b.available == 0) {
b.available = 1; fseek(fp, -sizeof(b),
SEEK_CUR); fwrite(&b, sizeof(b), 1,
fp); printf("Book returned
successfully!\n"); found = 1; break;
}
}
if (!found) {
printf("Book not found or not issued.\n");
}
fclose(fp);
}
6. Menu System
int main()
{ int
choice;
while (1) {
printf("\n=== Library Management System ===\
n"); printf("1. Add Book\n"); printf("2. Display
Books\n"); printf("3. Issue Book\n"); printf("4.
Return Book\n"); printf("5. Exit\n"); printf("Enter
your choice: "); scanf("%d", &choice);
switch (choice) {
case 1: addBook(); break; case
2: displayBooks(); break; case
3: issueBook(); break; case 4:
returnBook(); break; case 5:
exit(0); default: printf("Invalid
choice!\n"); }
}
return 0;
}
7. Key Concepts Used
Structures
We use a structure to store multiple attributes of a book (ID, title, author, availability) neatly in
one place.
File Handling
We use binary files (fopen, fwrite, fread, fseek) so that:
● Data remains saved permanently.
● Books' records can be updated easily.
Functions
Functions like addBook(), issueBook(), returnBook() make the program modular and easier to
manage.
8. Advantages
● No manual registers are needed.
● Easy to check book availability.
● Persistent storage using files.
● Beginner-friendly, yet practical project.
● Can be expanded further.
9. Possible Future Improvements
Here’s how you can make it better:
● Add user authentication (admin login).
● Add fine calculation for late returns.
● Store user/member records.
● Shift to dynamic memory allocation for more scalability.
● Integrate a database like SQLite.
10. Conclusion
This Library Management System shows how powerful even simple C programs can be
when used effectively. It gives hands-on experience with file handling, structures, and modular
coding—all essential for real-world projects.
11. References
1. E. Balagurusamy, "Programming in ANSI C"
A widely used textbook for learning C language, covering structures, file handling, and
functions that are used in this project.
2. Yashavant Kanetkar, "Let Us C"
Provides in-depth explanations of C programming concepts like file handling, dynamic
memory, and modular programming applied in this system.
3. Tutorialspoint - C Programming Language
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/cprogramming/index.htm
Helpful tutorials explaining structures, file handling, and pointer concepts used in the
program.
4. GeeksforGeeks - C File Handling https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/basics-file-handling-
c/
Reference for implementing file operations like fopen() , fwrite() ,
fread() , fseek() .
5. StudyTonight - C Structures https://www.studytonight.com/c/structures-in-c.php
Useful for understanding how structures are used to store multiple data types in one anti
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