Introduction
In this Chapter, we will briefly highlight over various features of C programming,and then tools available for C programming. This C programming tutorial explains the fundamental concepts in C language like history of C language, identifiers and keywords, data types, storage classes, variables, decision making, functions, control statements, string, structures, preprocessor directives etc with c programs and sample input output.
C language is a general-purpose, imperative popular computer programming language. It supports structured programming, variable scope, recursion, provide low-level access to memory etc. C language become one of the most widely used programming languages of all time.
C programming language is the mother for all programming languages.
C Programming Paradigms
C programming concept possesses all the basic programming features i.e for starting any basic programming languages hold, in addition to these it holds something special which makes it the first of its kind. Following sections are to brief the major characteristics of C programming.
Need of C Programming
The primary design of C is to produce portable code while maintaining performance and minimizing footprint (CPU time, memory usage, disk I/O, etc.). This is useful for operating systems, embedded systems or other programs where performance matters a lot ( "high-level" interface would affect performance). With C it is relatively easy to keep a mental picture of what a given line really does, because most of the things are written explicitly in the code. C has a big codebase for low level applications. It is the "native" language of UNIX, which makes it flexible and portable. It is a stable and mature language which is unlikely to disappear for a long time and has been ported to most, if not all, platforms. It incorporates almost every basic features.
Facts about C
- C Programming language Evolution: ALGO->BCPL->B->Tradition C-> K&R C-> ANSI C-> ANSI/ISO C-> C99.
- C is simple, elegant and wicked fast; it is compact and efficient.
- C is not only a fundamental language but its permissive nature.
- C language has a rich library which provides a number of built-in functions. It also offers dynamic memory allocation.
- C is the only language that exists for the longest period of time in computer programming history.
- C is simple, elegant and wicked fast; it is compact and efficient.
- C language is case-sensitive.
Advantages of C
This section is to give the answer of Why C Programming?.Following points are included as answer of this question.
Easy to learn
C is a very easy to learn middle level language for expressing ideas in programming in a way that most. C provide support for dynamic memory allocation. In C, we can allocate and free the allocated memory at any time by calling library functions like malloc, calloc and free.
Structured language
A structured programming language breaks and abstract a program into small logical components which are responsible for performing a specific task. C's main structural components are functions or subroutines. It makes the program easier to understand and modify.
Efficient Programs
C is a compiled programming language,which creates fast and efficient executable files. It also provides a set of library functions for common utilities. C provides a lot of inbuilt functions that makes the development fast.
Ability to extend
Style of C programming that focuses on mechanisms to extend the programming language, compiler and runtime environment.
Powerful programming language
C language provides a wide variety of inbuilt data types and ability to create custom data types using structures. It also provides a large set of commonly used Input/Output, Mathematical, String etc, related functions as C standard library. C has a rich set of control statements, arithmetic operators, loops etc which provides a powerful tool for programmer to implement his logic as a C program.
Tools Available for C Programming
The tools those are essential /available for C programming environment are downloaded from Third party tools. Each of these are briefly outlined below :
Dev-C++
Dev-C++ is a great development environment for beginners! Dev-C++ is a free software and can be downloaded from web site at https://sourceforge.net/projects/orwelldevcpp/
Turbo C++
Turbo C++ is a product developed by Vaibhav Kulkarni.It works with All Windows versions. Turbo C++ is a free software and can be downloaded from web site at https://qpdownload.com/turbo-c/
Code::Blocks
The open source, cross platform, free C, C++ and Fortran IDE. Application screenshotCode::Blocks is a free C, C++ and Fortran IDE built to meet the most demanding needs of its users. It is designed to be very extensible and fully configurable. Finally, an IDE with all the features you need, having a consistent look, feel and operation across platforms. Code::Blocks is a free software and can be downloaded from web site at http://www.codeblocks.org/downloads
Visual C++ Studio
C/C++ support for Visual Studio Code is provided by a Microsoft C/C++ extension to enable cross-platform C and C++ development on Windows, linux, and macOS.
Visual C++ Studio is a free software and can be downloaded from web site at https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/cpp
