How to format strings using printf() to get equal length in the output?

Question

I have two functions, one which produces messages like Starting initialization... and another which checks return codes and outputs \"Ok\", \

Answer 1

You can specify width on string fields, e.g.

printf("%-20s", "initialization...");

and then whatever's printed with that field will be blank-padded to the width you indicate.

The - left-justifies your text in that field.