Introduction to Programming in C
What is C?
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C is a powerful, general-purpose programming language developed in the early 1970s by Dennis Ritchie.
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It’s a procedural language, emphasizing functions and sequential execution.
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Known for its efficiency, portability, and close-to-hardware capabilities.
Why Learn C?
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Foundation for many modern languages like C++, Java, and Python.
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Widely used in system software, embedded systems, and application development.
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Helps understand fundamental programming concepts: variables, control structures, memory management.
Basic Features of C
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Simple syntax but requires careful memory management.
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Supports data types: int, float, char, etc.
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Uses functions for modular code.
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Allows direct memory access via pointers.
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Rich set of operators and control flow statements.
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How C Programs Work
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Source code is written in
.c
files. -
The compiler translates C code into machine language.
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The linker combines code with libraries.
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The executable runs on the computer.
Applications of C
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Operating systems (Unix, Linux)
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Embedded devices (microcontrollers)
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Game engines and graphics
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Database systems
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Compilers and interpreters
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