Masking bits within a range given in parameter in C

Question

I am new to C programming and not sure that there is already a good explanation for how to do this, if so I am sorry. I am trying to set the bits within a range given to me.

Answer 1

This was my solution: The if statements at the front just cover conditionals about low and high. This is passing all the tests I was given.

unsigned int setBits(int low, int high, unsigned int source)
 {
 if (low < 0)         {return source;}
 else if (high > 31)  {return source;}
 else if (low > high) {return source;}
 else {
         unsigned int mask = 0xFFFFFFFF << (31 - high);
         mask = mask >> ((31 - high) + low);
         mask = mask << low;
         return source | mask;
     }        

}