👉 Overview

What ?

C is a high-level programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie in 1972 at Bell Labs. It is known for its efficiency and control over system resources. As a statically-typed language, C requires the variable type to be declared at compile time. A few fundamental concepts in C include the use of functions, pointers, arrays, and structures. Functions are blocks of code designed to perform specific tasks, and they help in organizing the program into smaller, manageable parts. Pointers are used for storing memory addresses and can be utilized for dynamic memory allocation. Arrays allow storing multiple items of the same type together, while structures enable grouping together different data types.

Why ?

C is crucial because of its influence on many other programming languages, including C++, C#, and Objective-C. Its low-level capabilities often make it the language of choice for system programming, including operating system kernels and hardware drivers. Understanding C can help programmers get a better grasp of the underlying architecture of a computer system. It's a prerequisite for learning more complex programming languages, and it's widely used in industries, including software development, system programming, game development, and more.

How ?

To start with C programming, one needs a text editor to write the code and a compiler to convert it into a language that the machine can understand. The first step is to install a text editor, like Sublime Text or Visual Studio Code, and a C compiler, such as GCC. The next step is to write a basic C program, like "Hello, World!". After writing the code, it needs to be compiled and run. The learning curve might seem steep, especially when dealing with more advanced topics like pointers, but with persistence and practice, one can become proficient.

When ?

The C language was first developed in 1972, with its first standardized version, ANSI C, released in 1989. Since then, it has become one of the most widely used programming languages. It was initially designed for and implemented on the UNIX operating system, but its efficiency and flexibility have led to its adoption for use in a multitude of applications and platforms.