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

printf allows formatting with width specifiers. For example,

printf( "%-30s %s\n", "Starting initialization...", "Ok." );

You would use a negative width specifier to indicate left-justification because the default is to use right-justification.

You can specify a 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.