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C Programming - Basic Syntax and Structure

C programming has a structured syntax that includes preprocessor directives, a main function, and various components such as data types, control flow statements, and functions. Key features include input/output functions, operators, arrays, pointers, memory management, and file handling. The basic structure of a C program consists of header files, function prototypes, the main function, and user-defined functions.

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5 views

C Programming - Basic Syntax and Structure

C programming has a structured syntax that includes preprocessor directives, a main function, and various components such as data types, control flow statements, and functions. Key features include input/output functions, operators, arrays, pointers, memory management, and file handling. The basic structure of a C program consists of header files, function prototypes, the main function, and user-defined functions.

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06303648
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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C programming follows a structured syntax with specific rules that must be followed to create functional

programs. Here’s an overview of the basic syntax and structure of C programming:

1. Basic Structure of a C Program

A typical C program consists of the following sections:

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#include <stdio.h> // Preprocessor directive

// Function prototype (optional)

void greet();

int main() // Main function: program execution starts here

printf("Hello, World!\n"); // Print statement

greet(); // Function call

return 0; // Return statement

// Function definition

void greet() {

printf("Welcome to C programming!\n");

2. Basic Components of C Syntax

a) Header Files and Preprocessor Directives

 These include necessary libraries.

 Syntax: #include <library_name>

 Example: #include <math.h> for mathematical operations.

b) The main() Function


 Every C program must have a main() function.

 It serves as the entry point for execution.

c) Statements and Blocks

 Each statement ends with a semicolon (;).

 Blocks are enclosed within curly braces {}.

d) Comments

 Single-line comment: // This is a comment

 Multi-line comment: /* This is a multi-line comment */

3. C Data Types

C provides different data types for handling variables.

Data Type Size Example

int 4 bytes int age = 25;

float 4 bytes float pi = 3.14;

double 8 bytes double precise = 3.141592;

char 1 byte char grade = 'A';

void 0 bytes Used for functions with no return value

4. Control Flow Statements

a) Conditional Statements

 if, else if, else for decision-making.

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if (age >= 18) {

printf("Adult\n");

} else {

printf("Minor\n");

}
b) Loops

 Used to repeat a block of code.

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// for loop

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {

printf("%d ", i);

// while loop

int count = 0;

while (count < 5) {

printf("%d ", count);

count++;

5. Functions in C

C programs can be modularized using functions.

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int add(int a, int b) {

return a + b;

int main() {

int sum = add(5, 3);

printf("Sum = %d", sum);

return 0;

}
6. Input and Output Functions

The stdio.h library provides I/O functions.

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// Input

int age;

printf("Enter your age: ");

scanf("%d", &age);

// Output

printf("You entered: %d", age);

7. Operators in C

Common operators include:

 Arithmetic: +, -, *, /, %

 Relational: ==, !=, >, <, >=, <=

 Logical: &&, ||, !

 Bitwise: &, |, ^, <<, >>

 Assignment: =, +=, -=, *=, /=

 Increment/Decrement: ++, --

8. Arrays and Strings

Handling multiple values using arrays.

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int numbers[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};

char name[] = "John";


9. Pointers in C

Pointers store memory addresses.

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int x = 10;

int *ptr = &x;

printf("Value of x: %d", *ptr);

10. Memory Management

 malloc(), calloc(), free() are used for dynamic memory allocation.

11. File Handling

C allows file operations like reading and writing.

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FILE *file = fopen("example.txt", "w");

fprintf(file, "Hello, file!");

fclose(file);

Summary of C Programming Structure

1. Preprocessor directives (#include)

2. Global variables and function declarations

3. main() function

4. User-defined functions

5. Return statement in main()

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