Scribd
Upload
4 views9 pages

Complete C Programming Definitions

The document provides definitions for over 100 C programming terms, including key concepts such as preprocessor directives, data types, operators, control structures, functions, pointers, memory management, and file handling. It also covers important keywords and their usage in C programming. This comprehensive glossary serves as a reference for understanding fundamental C programming terminology and concepts.

Uploaded by

OM YADAV
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views9 pages

Complete C Programming Definitions

The document provides definitions for over 100 C programming terms, including key concepts such as preprocessor directives, data types, operators, control structures, functions, pointers, memory management, and file handling. It also covers important keywords and their usage in C programming. This comprehensive glossary serves as a reference for understanding fundamental C programming terminology and concepts.

Uploaded by

OM YADAV
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Complete C Programming Definitions (100+ Terms)

Preprocessor

Processes directives like #include, #define before compilation.

Macro

Code snippet replaced before compilation. Defined using #define.

Header File

Contains function declarations and macro definitions, e.g., stdio.h.

Include Directive

Used to include header files using #include.

Conditional Compilation

Using #ifdef, #ifndef, #endif for compiling selective code.

Define Directive

Used to define macros or constants using #define.

Undef Directive

Used to undefine a macro using #undef.

Pragma Directive

Used to issue special commands to the compiler using #pragma.

Variable

Named storage for data, with a data type.

Constant

Fixed value that does not change during execution.

Data Type

Specifies type of data (int, float, char, etc.).


Integer

Whole number data type (int).

Float

Decimal number data type.

Character

Single character data type (char).

Void

Indicates no return or no parameters.

Boolean

Represents true or false (typically 0 and 1 in C).

Format Specifier

Defines data type for I/O (e.g., %d, %f).

Arithmetic Operators

+, -, *, /, % used in mathematical operations.

Relational Operators

==, !=, >, <, >=, <= used to compare values.

Logical Operators

&&, ||, ! used for logical conditions.

Bitwise Operators

&, |, ^, ~, <<, >> used for bit-level operations.

Assignment Operators

=, +=, -=, *=, /= assign values.

Increment Operator

++ increases a variable's value by 1.


Decrement Operator

-- decreases a variable's value by 1.

Ternary Operator

?: used for conditional expressions.

Comma Operator

Evaluates multiple expressions, returns last value.

Sizeof Operator

Returns the size of a data type or variable.

Type Casting

Converts one data type to another.

If Statement

Conditional statement for decision making.

Else Statement

Defines alternative block if 'if' fails.

Else If

Checks multiple conditions.

Switch Statement

Multi-way branch statement.

Case

Defines individual conditions in switch.

Default

Defines fallback in switch.

While Loop

Repeats a block while a condition is true.


Do While Loop

Executes at least once before checking condition.

For Loop

Compact loop with initialization, condition, and increment.

Break Statement

Exits loop or switch prematurely.

Continue Statement

Skips current iteration of loop.

Goto Statement

Jumps to a labeled statement.

Label

Named location used with goto.

Function

Reusable block of code for performing a task.

Function Declaration

Tells the compiler about a functions name, return type, and parameters.

Function Definition

Actual code block of the function.

Function Call

Invokes a defined function.

Return Statement

Returns a value from a function.

Recursion

Function calling itself to solve smaller sub-problems.


Parameter

Variable listed inside function's parentheses.

Argument

Value passed to a function.

Array

Collection of elements of the same data type.

Multidimensional Array

Array of arrays (e.g., matrix).

String

Array of characters ending with null character '\0'.

String Library

Functions like strlen(), strcpy(), strcat().

Pointer

Stores address of another variable.

Dereferencing

Accessing value using * operator.

Pointer Arithmetic

Operations like ++, -- on pointers.

NULL Pointer

Pointer initialized with zero address.

Dangling Pointer

Pointer pointing to a deallocated memory.

Void Pointer

Pointer without a data type.


Pointer to Pointer

Double indirection, pointer holding another pointers address.

Function Pointer

Pointer pointing to a function.

Array of Pointers

Array that stores multiple pointer values.

Structure

User-defined data type grouping different data types.

Nested Structure

Structure inside another structure.

Union

Similar to structure, but shares memory among members.

Bit Field

Allows storing data in specific number of bits.

Typedef

Gives new names to existing types.

Enumeration

Defines a list of integer constants using enum.

Static Memory Allocation

Memory allocated at compile time.

Dynamic Memory Allocation

Memory allocated during runtime using malloc(), calloc().

malloc()

Allocates memory block and returns pointer.


calloc()

Allocates memory block and initializes to zero.

realloc()

Resizes previously allocated memory block.

free()

Deallocates previously allocated memory.

File

Used for data storage in external files.

fopen()

Opens a file in specified mode.

fclose()

Closes an open file.

fgetc()

Reads a character from file.

fputc()

Writes a character to file.

fgets()

Reads a line from file.

fputs()

Writes a line to file.

fprintf()

Writes formatted output to file.

fscanf()

Reads formatted input from file.


feof()

Checks end of file.

Command Line Arguments

Pass arguments to main() via command line.

main() Function

Starting point of every C program.

Compilation

Process of converting C code to machine code.

Linking

Combining object files into executable.

Debugger

Tool to test and debug code.

Compiler

Translates source code to machine code.

Interpreter

Executes code line-by-line (C uses compilers).

Inline Function

Suggests compiler to insert code in place of function call.

Volatile Keyword

Tells compiler variable may change unexpectedly.

Const Keyword

Declares variable as constant.

Extern Keyword

Declares a global variable defined elsewhere.


Static Keyword

Preserves variable value between function calls.

Register Keyword

Suggests storing variable in CPU register.

You might also like