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The variable arguments to a variadic function are not checked for type by the compiler.  SoAs a result, the programmer is responsible for ensuring that they are compatible with the corresponding parameter after the default argument promotions:

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The C99 printf() function is implemented as a variadic function. This noncompliant code example swaps its null-terminated byte string and integer parameters with respect to how they were are specified in the format string. Consequently, the integer is interpreted as a pointer to a null-terminated byte string and dereferenced. This will likely cause the program to abnormally terminate. Note that the error_message pointer is likewise interpreted as an integer.

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Compliant Solution (Type Interpretation Error)

This compliant solution is formatted modifies the format string so that the specifiers are consistent with their parametersconversion specifiers correspond to the arguments.

const char *error_msg = "Error occurred";
/* ... */
printf("%d:%s", 15, error_msg);

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