1.
Basic Structure of a C Program
A C program typically consists of the following sections:
● Preprocessor Directives: These lines start with # and include header files that provide
access to standard library functions (e.g., #include <stdio.h> for input/output operations).
● Global Declarations: Variables declared outside any function have global scope,
meaning they can be accessed from anywhere in the program.
● Functions: The main function (main()) is the entry point of execution. Other functions
contain reusable blocks of code.
● Statements: Instructions that perform actions, such as calculations, input/output, or
control flow.
Hello World Example:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Hello, world!\n");
return 0;
}
2. Operators in C
Operators are symbols that perform operations on data. Here are the main types:
● Arithmetic Operators: +, -, *, /, % (modulo)
● Relational Operators: == (equals), != (not equals), >, <, >=, <=
● Logical Operators: && (and), || (or), ! (not)
● Assignment Operators: =, +=, -=, *=, /=, %=
● Bitwise Operators: & (and), | (or), ^ (xor), ~ (complement), << (left shift), >> (right shift)
● Increment/Decrement Operators: ++, --
● Conditional Operator (Ternary Operator): condition ? expression1 : expression2
3. Comments in C
Comments are used to explain code and are ignored by the compiler.
● Single-line comments: // This is a single-line comment
● Multi-line comments: /* This is a multi-line comment */
4. Conditional Statements
● if statement: Executes a block of code if a condition is true.
if (condition) {
// Code to execute if the condition is true
}
● if-else statement: Executes one block of code if a condition is true and another block if
it's false.
if (condition) {
// Code to execute if the condition is true
} else {
// Code to execute if the condition is false
}
● nested if and if-else statements: Allows you to embed if or if-else statements within
other if or if-else statements for more complex logic.
if (condition1) {
if (condition2) {
// Code to execute if both conditions are true
} else {
// Code to execute if condition1 is true but condition2 is
false
}
} else {
// Code to execute if condition1 is false
}
5. Switch Statement
The switch statement provides a way to execute different code blocks based on the value of an
expression.
switch (expression) {
case value1:
// Code to execute if expression == value1
break;
case value2:
// Code to execute if expression == value2
break;
default:
// Code to execute if expression doesn't match any case
}
6. Loop Control
● for loop: Repeats a block of code a specific number of times.
for (initialization; condition; update) {
// Code to execute repeatedly
}
● while loop: Repeats a block of code as long as a condition is true.
while (condition) {
// Code to execute repeatedly
}
● do-while loop: Similar to a while loop, but the code block is executed at least once
before the condition is checked.
do {
// Code to execute repeatedly
} while (condition);
● Nested loops: You can place loops inside other loops to create more complex iterations.
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
// Code to execute in the inner loop
}
}
7. Functions
Functions are self-contained blocks of code that perform specific tasks.
● Definition:
return_type function_name(parameter_list) {
// Function body (code to execute)
return value; // (if the return type is not void)
}
● Example:
int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}
● Function Properties:
○ Modularity: Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.
○ Reusability: Use the same function multiple times in a program.
○ Maintainability: Easier to debug and update code.
● Function Types:
○ Library functions: Predefined functions (e.g., printf, scanf)
○ User-defined functions: Functions created by the programmer.
● Argument vs. Parameter:
○ Parameter: A variable in the function definition.
○ Argument: The actual value passed to the function when it's called.
8. Recursion
Recursion is a technique where a function calls itself.
● Definition:
void recursive_function(parameters) {
if (base_case) {
// Stop the recursion
} else {
recursive_function(modified_parameters);
}
}
● Example (factorial):
int factorial(int n) {
if (n == 0) {
return 1;
} else {
return n * factorial(n - 1);
}
}
● Properties of Recursion:
○ Must have a base case to stop the recursion.
○ Each recursive call should move towards the base case.
○ Can be less efficient than iterative solutions (loops) due to function call overhead.
9. Pointers
A pointer is a variable that stores the memory address of another variable.
● Definition:
data_type *pointer_name;
● Example:
int num = 10;
int *ptr = # // ptr stores the address of num
● Pointer to Pointer: A pointer that stores the address of another pointer.
int num = 10;
int *ptr1 = #
int **ptr2 = &ptr1; // ptr2 stores the address of ptr1
● Pointers in Functions:
○ Call by value: A copy of the argument is passed to the function. Changes made
inside the function don't affect the original variable.
○ Call by reference: The address of the argument is passed to the function.
Changes made inside the function affect the original variable.
void swapByValue(int x, int y) {
int temp = x;
x = y;
y = temp;
}
void swapByReference(int *x, int *y) {
int temp = *x;
*x = *y;
*y = temp;
}
10. Arrays
An array is a collection of elements of the same data type stored in contiguous memory
locations.
● Definition:
data_type array_name[size];
● Example:
int numbers[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
● Initialization: Can be initialized during declaration or element by element later.
● Pointer Arithmetic: You can perform arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction) on
pointers to move them through an array.
● Array is a Pointer: The array name itself acts as a pointer to the first element of the
array.
● Traversing an array: Use loops (e.g., for loop) to access each element of the array.
● Arrays as Function Arguments: Arrays are passed to functions by reference (the array
name, which is a pointer, is passed).
● Multidimensional Arrays: Arrays with more than one dimension (e.g., 2D arrays like
matrices).
int matrix[3][3] = { {1, 2, 3}, {4, 5, 6}, {7, 8, 9} };
11. Strings
A string in C is an array of characters terminated by a null character (\0).
● Definition:
char string_name[size];
● Example:
char message[] = "Hello";
● Initialization: Can be initialized with a string literal or character by character.
● String Format Specifier: %s is used in printf and scanf to work with strings.
● String Important Points: Always ensure there is enough space in the array to store the
string and the null terminator.
● String Functions: C provides standard library functions for string manipulation (e.g.,
strcpy, strcat, strlen in the string.h header file).
● Strings Using Pointers: You can use pointers to manipulate strings.
● String Library Functions:
○ strlen(str): Returns the length of the string.
○ strcpy(dest, src): Copies the source string to the destination string.
○ strcat(dest, src): Concatenates the source string to the end of the destination string.
○ strcmp(str1, str2): Compares two strings lexicographically.
12. Structures
A structure is a user-defined data type that groups together variables of different data types
under a single name.
● Definition:
struct structure_name {
data_type member1;
data_type member2;
// ... more members
};
● Example:
struct Student {
char name[50];
int roll_no;
float marks;
};
● Structure in Memory: Members of a structure are stored in contiguous memory
locations.
● Array of Structures: You can create arrays where each element is a structure.
struct Student students[100];
● Initialization of Structures:
struct Student s1 = {"John Doe", 123, 85.5};
● Pointer to Structures: You can use pointers to access and manipulate structures.
● Arrow Operator (->): Used to access members of a structure using a pointer to the
structure.
struct Student s1;
struct Student *ptr = &s1;
ptr->roll_no = 123; // Accessing roll_no using the arrow operator
● Passing Structure to Function: Structures can be passed to functions by value or by
reference.
13. typedef Keyword
The typedef keyword is used to create aliases for existing data types.
typedef unsigned int uint; // Now you can use uint instead of unsigned
int
14. Taking Input as Address
You can use the & operator with scanf to take input directly into a memory address (usually for
pointers).
int num;
printf("Enter a number: ");
scanf("%d", &num); // Store the input at the address of num
Important Notes:
● This is a comprehensive overview of the basic concepts of C programming.
● There are many more advanced topics and libraries in C that you can explore as you
learn more.
● Practice writing code regularly to solidify your understanding.
● Use online resources, tutorials, and books to deepen your knowledge.
● Don't hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck!
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