What will be the output of the following C program?

C

#include <stdio.h>

void main() {
    static int x = 3;
    x++;
    if (x <= 5) {
        printf("hi ");
        main();
    }
}

Let us trace the program execution step-by-step:

1. static int x = 3;: The static storage class ensures that x is allocated in the data segment and initialized only once before execution starts. Its state persists across recursive function calls.

2. First call to main():

- x++ increments x from 3 to 4.

- Condition if (x <= 5) ($4 \le 5$) evaluates to true.

- Prints "hi " (1st output).

- Calls main() recursively.

3. Second call to main():

- static int x = 3; is skipped.

- x++ increments x from 4 to 5.

- Condition if (x <= 5) ($5 \le 5$) evaluates to true.

- Prints "hi " (2nd output).

- Calls main() recursively.

4. Third call to main():

- x++ increments x from 5 to 6.

- Condition if (x <= 5) ($6 \le 5$) evaluates to false.

- Recursion terminates and calls unwind.

Total output printed: "hi hi".

Option Analysis: