Fundamentals of Programming Language - Detailed Notes
Unit 1: Program Planning and C Programming
**Program Design Tools:**
- **Algorithms:** Step-by-step instructions for solving problems. Example:
1. Start.
2. Input two numbers.
3. Add the numbers and store the result.
4. Display the result.
5. Stop.
- **Flowcharts:** Diagrammatic representation of algorithms using symbols like ovals, rectangles,
and arrows.
**Overview of C Programming:**
- **History and Importance:** C is a general-purpose programming language developed in 1972 by
Dennis Ritchie. It is widely used for system programming, embedded systems, and application
development.
- **Character Set:** Includes letters (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9), and special symbols (!, @, #, etc.).
**C Tokens:**
- Keywords: Reserved words (e.g., int, float, if, else).
- Identifiers: Names given to variables, functions, etc.
- Constants: Fixed values (e.g., 10, 'A', 3.14).
- Variables: Named memory locations for storing data.
- Data Types: int, float, char, double, etc.
**Variable Declaration and Storage Class:**
- Syntax: `data_type variable_name;`
- Storage classes: auto, static, extern, register.
**Symbolic Constants and Volatile Variables:**
- Use `#define` for symbolic constants.
- `volatile` ensures the value of a variable is updated directly in memory.
**Case Studies:** Compilation process, debugging techniques, and examples.
Unit 2: Operators and Expressions
**Operators in C:**
1. **Arithmetic Operators:** +, -, *, /, %.
2. **Relational Operators:** >, <, >=, <=, ==, !=.
3. **Logical Operators:** &&, ||, !.
4. **Assignment Operators:** =, +=, -=, *=, /=.
5. **Increment/Decrement Operators:** ++, --.
6. **Bitwise Operators:** &, |, ^, ~, <<, >>.
**Special Operators:**
- sizeof: Returns the size of a variable.
- Pointer operators: *, &.
**Expressions and Precedence:**
- Expression evaluation follows precedence and associativity rules.
- Example: `int result = a + b * c;`
**Mathematical Functions:**
- Examples: sqrt(), pow(), abs().
**Case Studies:** Infix, prefix, and postfix expressions.
Unit 3: Control Flow
**Decision Making and Branching:**
- `if`, `if-else`, `nested if`, `switch` statements for conditional execution.
**Decision Making and Looping:**
- Loops: `while`, `do-while`, `for`.
- Jump statements: `break`, `continue`.
**Case Studies:**
- Design a calculator.
- Generate a calendar.
Unit 4: Arrays and Strings
**Arrays:**
- **One-Dimensional Arrays:** Syntax: `data_type array_name[size];`.
- **Two-Dimensional Arrays:** Syntax: `data_type array_name[rows][columns];`.
**Character Arrays and Strings:**
- Reading and writing strings using `scanf()` and `printf()`.
- Common operations: concatenation, comparison, length calculation.
**String Handling Functions:**
- Examples: `strlen()`, `strcat()`, `strcmp()`.
**Case Studies:** Examples of array and string operations.
Unit 5: User-Defined Functions and Structures
**User-Defined Functions:**
- Function Declaration: `return_type function_name(parameters);`
- Function Definition: Contains the actual code block.
- Function Categories:
- No arguments, no return values.
- Arguments with return values.
- Recursion: A function calling itself.
**Structures:**
- Declaration: `struct structure_name { data_type member1; data_type member2; };`
- Initialization and Accessing Members.
**Case Studies:**
- Tower of Hanoi.
- Monthly balance sheet generation.
