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Programming C

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4 views

Programming C

Uploaded by

5wtxpbm9sq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to C Programming

C is a general-purpose, procedural programming


language developed in the early 1970s by Dennis
Ritchie at Bell Labs. It has since become one of the
most widely used languages, especially for system-
level programming, embedded systems, and
operating systems like UNIX. C is simple, powerful,
and efficient, making it a great choice for
developers who need to write high-performance
applications.
About C Programming
C programming is known for its efficiency and
control over system resources. It is a middle-level
language, meaning it combines features of both
high-level programming (like Python, Java) and
low-level programming (like assembly or machine
code). C allows direct manipulation of hardware
and memory, making it especially useful for writing
operating systems, compilers, and other
performance-critical applications.
Why Use C?
1.Efficiency and Speed: C allows direct
manipulation of hardware and memory, making
it very fast compared to other high-level
languages.
2.Portability: C programs can be compiled and
run on any machine with minimal changes,
which is useful when you need cross-platform
compatibility.
3.Low-Level Access: It gives developers control
over system resources such as memory,
making it ideal for system-level programming.
4.Wide Application: Many modern languages
are based on C (C++, Java, Python, etc.), and C
is often used in embedded systems, operating
systems, device drivers, and more.
5.Rich Library: C has a rich standard library that
provides a variety of built-in functions for
input/output, memory management, math
operations, and more.
Software Requirements
To begin programming in C, you'll need:
1.A Text Editor: You can use basic text editors
like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code, or
specialized IDEs (Integrated Development
Environments) like Code::Blocks, Dev C++, or
Eclipse for C programming.
2.A C Compiler: A compiler translates the C
code into machine code. Popular C compilers
include:
o GCC (GNU Compiler Collection)

o Clang

o Turbo C (old but still used in some

educational institutions)
3.Operating System: C programs are usually
compiled to run on a variety of operating
systems, such as Windows, Linux, or macOS.
C Program Structure
A typical C program is structured in a specific way
to ensure readability and functionality:
1.Preprocessor Directives: These are lines
that begin with #, like #include <stdio.h>,
which tell the compiler to include external files
or libraries.
2.Global Declarations: These can include
variables or functions that are used throughout
the program.
3.Main Function: Every C program must have a
main() function. This is the entry point of the
program where execution begins.
4.Statements and Expressions: Inside
functions, you write statements that perform
actions, such as calculations, input, output, and
more.
5.Return Statement: The main() function
typically ends with return 0;, indicating
successful program completion.
Tokens in C
Tokens are the smallest units of a C program.
These include:
1.Keywords: Reserved words with special
meaning, such as int, if, while, return, for, char.
2.Identifiers: Names given to variables,
functions, and other user-defined items (e.g.,
main, num, sum).
3.Constants: Fixed values like numbers or
characters (e.g., 100, 3.14, 'a').
4.Operators: Symbols used for operations, such
as +, -, *, /, =, ==.
5.Punctuation: Characters used for program
structure, such as semicolons ;, commas ,,
parentheses (), curly braces {}.
Flowcharts and Pseudocodes
Before writing the actual C code, it is common to
design a program using flowcharts and
pseudocodes:
 Flowchart: A visual representation of the
steps in a program. Each operation is
represented by shapes like rectangles
(processes), diamonds (decisions), and arrows
(flow of execution).
o Example: A flowchart for checking if a

number is positive or negative.


 Pseudocode: A simple, plain language
description of the program's steps. It does not
use programming syntax but outlines the
algorithm's logic.
o Example:
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IF number > 0 THEN
Print "Positive"
ELSE
Print "Negative"
END IF
Both tools help in planning the logic of your
program before writing code.
C Data Types
In C, data types specify the type of data a variable
can hold. Common data types include:
1.Primitive Data Types:
o int: Stores integers (e.g., -3, 0, 42).

o float: Stores floating-point numbers (e.g.,

3.14, -5.6).
o double: Stores double-precision floating-

point numbers for more accuracy.


o char: Stores a single character (e.g., 'a', '1',

'#').
o void: Represents the absence of any type

(e.g., used for functions that don’t return


anything).
2.Derived Data Types:
o Arrays: A collection of similar data types

(e.g., int arr[10]).


o Pointers: A variable that stores the

memory address of another variable.


o Structures: A user-defined data type that
groups different types of variables
together.
C Variables
A variable is a name given to a memory location
used to store data. Variables must be declared with
a specific type before they are used. Example:
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int age;
float height;
char grade;
You can also initialize variables when declaring
them:
c
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int age = 25;
float height = 5.9;
char grade = 'A';
Constants and Literals
 Constants: A constant is a value that cannot
be changed during the execution of the
program. In C, constants can be defined using
the const keyword:
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const int DAYS_IN_WEEK = 7;
 Literals: A literal is a constant value directly
used in the program. For example, 10 is an
integer literal, 'A' is a character literal, and
3.14 is a floating-point literal.
Summary
 C programming is powerful, efficient, and
widely used for system-level programming.
 The structure of a C program includes
preprocessor directives, functions, and
statements.
 Tokens are the building blocks of a C program
(keywords, identifiers, operators, etc.).
 Flowcharts and pseudocodes help plan a
program's logic before coding.
 Data types define the type of data a variable
can hold, and variables are used to store
data.
 Constants and literals provide ways to store
fixed or hardcoded values.
If you have any specific questions or would like
more details on any of the topics, feel free to ask!

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