Group – A

Computer Programming in C
Unit-I
A.) Introduction to C:-

C is a high-level programming language that was developed in the early 1970s by Dennis
Ritchie at Bell Labs. It is a general-purpose, procedural programming language widely used
for system programming, application software, and embedded systems.

Key Features of C:

1. Simple and Efficient: C is straightforward to learn and emphasizes performance and

efficiency.
2. Procedural Language: It follows a structured approach, using functions and control
flow constructs like loops and conditionals.
3. Low-Level Access: Provides direct access to memory and hardware through pointers,
making it suitable for system-level programming.
4. Portability: Code written in C can be compiled and run on different platforms with
minimal modifications.
5. Rich Standard Library: Provides a variety of built-in functions for tasks like
input/output, string manipulation, and mathematical operations.
6. Modularity: Encourages modular programming through functions, making code
easier to debug and reuse.
7. Powerful: Supports features like bitwise operations, memory management, and file
handling.

Applications of C:

1. Operating Systems: Many operating systems, including Unix and Linux, are written
in C.
2. Embedded Systems: Used in programming microcontrollers and embedded devices.
3. Game Development: Provides the performance necessary for game engines.
4. Compilers and Interpreters: Many compilers for other programming languages are
written in C.
5. Database Systems: Popular databases like MySQL are implemented in C.

B.)History of C:-
 C.) Importance of C:-

Importance of C Programming Language

1. Foundation for Modern Languages

o Forms the basis for languages like C++, C#, Java, and Python.
o Helps in understanding core programming concepts.
2. System-Level Programming
o Widely used for developing operating systems (e.g., Unix, Linux).
o Ideal for creating system-level applications.
3. Performance and Efficiency
o High-speed execution suitable for performance-critical tasks.
o Enables optimized memory and resource usage.
4. Portability
o Code can run on different platforms with minimal changes.
o Facilitates cross-platform development.
5. Preferred in Embedded Systems
o Close-to-hardware nature makes it ideal for microcontrollers and IoT devices.
o Commonly used in automotive, medical, and industrial applications.
6. Rich Standard Library
o Provides built-in functions for input/output, string manipulation, and memory
handling.
7. Memory Management
o Offers manual control over memory using pointers.
o Crucial for applications requiring optimized resource management.
 8. Structured Programming
o Encourages modular and reusable code through functions and structures.
o Enhances code clarity and maintainability.
9. Widely Used in Applications
o Found in game development, database systems (e.g., MySQL), and compilers.
10. Educational Value
o Frequently used as the first programming language for teaching.
o Provides a strong foundation for learning other languages and advanced
concepts.

C's versatility, efficiency, and influence make it a cornerstone of programming, relevant

across industries and educational contexts.

D.)Algorithm and Flowchart, executing a C program:-

Algorithm

1. Start
o Initialize the process of program execution.
2. Code Development
o Write the C program using a text editor or IDE.
o Save it with a .c extension (e.g., program.c).
3. Compilation
o Use a C compiler (e.g., GCC) to convert the source code into machine code:
o The compiler checks for syntax errors.
4. Error Handling (if any)
o If errors are found during compilation, review and fix them in the source code.
5. Linking
o Automatically handled by the compiler, linking combines code with required
libraries to create an executable file.
6. Execution
o Run the executable file to view the program output:
7. Validation
o Check the program output. If correct, the process is complete.
o If incorrect, debug the program and repeat the process.
8. End
o Successfully conclude the execution process.

Flowchart Description

1. Start: Begin the process.

2. Write Code: Develop and save the program.
3. Compile Program:
o Check for compilation errors.
o If errors exist, return to code editing.
4. Generate Executable:
 o If compilation is successful, produce an executable file.
5. Run Executable: Execute the program to test its functionality.
6. Validate Output:
o If the output is correct, proceed to completion.
o If the output is incorrect, debug and return to code editing.
7. End: Complete the process.

E.) Fundamentals of C Language

C is a powerful, general-purpose programming language that provides a strong foundation for

understanding programming concepts. Below are the key fundamentals of C:

1. Basic Syntax

 Every C program starts with the main() function.

 Statements end with a semicolon (;).
 Code blocks are enclosed in curly braces {}.

2. Data Types

 C supports various data types to define variables:

o Basic Types: int, float, char, double.
o Derived Types: Arrays, Pointers, Functions.
o User-defined Types: struct, enum, typedef.

3. Variables and Constants

 Variables: Named storage locations for data (e.g., int age = 25;).
 Constants: Fixed values that do not change during execution (e.g., #define PI 3.14).

4. Operators

 Arithmetic: +, -, *, /, %.
 Relational: ==, !=, <, >, <=, >=.
 Logical: &&, ||, !.
 Assignment: =, +=, -=, etc.
 Bitwise: &, |, ^, <<, >>.

5. Control Structures

 Conditional Statements:
o if, if-else, switch.
 Loops:
o for, while, do-while.
6. Functions

 Modularize code by defining reusable blocks of logic.

 Syntax:
 return_type function_name(parameters)
 {
 // function body
 }

7. Arrays

 Fixed-size collection of elements of the same type.

 Example: int arr[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};.

8. Pointers

 Variables that store memory addresses.

 Example: int *p = &var; (pointer p stores the address of var).

9. Strings

 Arrays of characters terminated by a null character ('\0').

 Example: char name[] = "C Language";.

10. Input/Output

 Use standard library functions for I/O operations:

o printf() for output.
o scanf() for input.

11. Memory Management

 Dynamic allocation using functions like malloc(), calloc(), realloc(), and free().

12. File Handling

 Perform operations on files: open, read, write, and close.

 Functions: fopen(), fclose(), fread(), fwrite(), etc.

13. Preprocessor Directives

 Instructions processed before compilation.

 Example: #include <stdio.h> and #define PI 3.14.

14. Compilation and Execution

 Code is compiled using a compiler like GCC to generate an executable file.

C's fundamentals provide the building blocks for mastering programming concepts and are
essential for understanding advanced languages and systems.

F.) C Language Concepts Overview

1. Characters Used in C

 Alphabets: A-Z, a-z (both uppercase and lowercase are allowed).

 Digits: 0-9.
 Special Characters: Symbols like +, -, *, /, %, =, #, &, {, }, [, ], (, ), etc.
 Whitespace: Spaces, tabs, and newlines for separating tokens.
 Escape Sequences: Special characters like \n (newline), \t (tab), \\ (backslash), etc.

2. Identifiers

 Names used to identify variables, functions, arrays, or other user-defined elements.

 Rules:
1. Must begin with an alphabet or underscore (_).
2. Can include letters, digits, and underscores.
3. Cannot be a keyword.
4. Case-sensitive (e.g., Var and var are different).
5. No special characters or spaces are allowed.

3. Keywords

 Reserved words in C with specific meanings.

 Examples:
 int, float, char, if, else, while, for, return, void, break,
continue, struct, typedef, sizeof, static, switch, case, default, do,
goto, etc.

4. Constants

 Fixed values that do not change during execution.

 Types:
1. Integer Constants: Whole numbers (e.g., 10, -25).
2. Floating-Point Constants: Decimal numbers (e.g., 3.14, -0.001).
3. Character Constants: Single characters enclosed in single quotes (e.g., 'A', '9').
4. String Constants: Sequence of characters enclosed in double quotes (e.g.,
"Hello").
5. Symbolic Constants: Defined using #define (e.g., #define PI 3.14).
5. Variables

 Named storage locations that hold data.

 Syntax:
 data_type variable_name;
 Example:
 int age = 25;
 float temperature = 36.6;

6. Data Types

 Define the type of data a variable can hold.

 Categories:
1. Basic Types: int, float, char, double.
2. Derived Types: Arrays, Pointers, Functions.
3. User-Defined Types: struct, enum, typedef.
4. Void: For functions that do not return a value.

7. Declaration of Variables

 Declaring a variable reserves memory space.

 Syntax:
 data_type variable_name [= value];
 Example:
 int num; // Declaration only
 float pi = 3.14; // Declaration with initialization

8. Operators

 Symbols used to perform operations on variables and values.

 Types:
1. Arithmetic Operators: +, -, *, /, %.
2. Relational Operators: ==, !=, <, >, <=, >=.
3. Logical Operators: &&, ||, !.
4. Assignment Operators: =, +=, -=, *=, /=.
5. Bitwise Operators: &, |, ^, ~, <<, >>.
6. Increment/Decrement Operators: ++, --.
7. Conditional Operator: ? :.
8. Sizeof Operator: sizeof().
9. Comma Operator: ,.

9. Expressions

 Combinations of variables, constants, and operators to perform computations.

 Example:
 int a = 5, b = 10;
 int result = a + b; // Expression: a + b