Summary: This tutorial helps you learn the C language, its history, key features, and applications.
What is C language #
By definition, C is a general-purpose and procedural programming language.
- General-purpose – C is designed to develop software that applies in various application domains.
- Procedural— a C program is a set of functions. Each function performs a specific task. In the C program, functions are called in sequence to ensure that the program works as designed.
Who invented the C language #
Dennis MacAlistair Ritchie developed the C language in the 1970s at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, for the UNIX operating system.
Dennis MacAlistair Ritchie, a computer scientist who helped shape the digital era, is known as the father of the C language. Together with his colleague Ken Thompson, he developed the UNIX operating system.
Applications of C Programming Language #
During the 1980s, C language was popular for developing software explicitly designed for personal computers with UNIX systems.
Since then, it has rapidly spread to the mainframe. The C language allows programmers to develop very compact and efficient programs. C programs are also easy to modify and adapt to new computer models, which is why C is a preferred language for developing word processing programs, databases, spreadsheets, and other software products.
Today, software programs written in C are easily found in many embedded systems. C is used to program software for many microprocessors in cameras, automobiles, phones, and other smart devices.
C key features #
The main key features of the C language are listed as follows:
- Capable of operating very close to the machine. In C, you can manipulate data very lowly, such as direct memory address.
- Efficiency. C programs are smaller and run faster than those written in C++, Java, or C#.
- Portable source code. If you have a compiler for C in a specific platform, the C program will operate appropriately on that platform. You can find compilers for almost all platforms. In addition, the design of the C language makes it easy to port existing programs to a new platform.
Many new languages have been invented recently, such as C++, Java, C#, etc. However, the C language is still a good choice among developers for system programming, especially embedded software.
C’s efficiency also allows programmers to develop robust and powerful software, including database management systems and graphics software.
Related languages #
C++ was the first language to add object-oriented enhancements to the C language. Later, it became a standard. C++ is also a prevalent language many C programmers work with after C.
Apple® developed Objective-C, which adds object-oriented features to C for developing applications on OS X for macOS and iOS for iPhone, iPad, and other Apple products. Some Objective-C syntaxes are identical to C.
Is learning C difficult? #
The answer is NO. The C programming language is not difficult to learn. And once you master the C language, you can write many system software.
We hope that you can get the most out of our C tutorials to master C by yourself with ease and fun. Happy programming!
Summary #
- C is a general-purpose and procedure programming language invented in 1970.
- C is suitable for system programming, such as operating systems, database systems, graphic software, and game engines.
