#square

What this C++ code-tracing question tests

This is a straightforward C++ question that asks you to read and predict the output of a short code snippet. It assesses your familiarity with language fundamentals—operator precedence, type behaviour, control flow, and standard library functions—under clear conditions.

To solve problems like this, you trace through the code line by line, keeping track of variable state and any transformations applied by operators or function calls. The challenge lies in catching subtle details: whether a value is modified in place, how expressions are evaluated, or what a particular function actually returns. These questions reward careful reading and a solid mental model of how C++ executes.

• Operator precedence and associativity
• Type conversions and implicit casts
• Standard library function behaviour
• Control flow and side effects