Use of C Language: Everything You Need to Know

The first step to take if you’re an ambitious programmer hoping to succeed as a software developer is by learning about programming languages. There are not one but around 5 to 6 programming languages that are used in the tech world.

However, starting your preparation with C language is highly recommended. Why so? C language makes learning easier as it has simple functions but vast benefits.

For your learning, here’s our full-fledged guide about C language where we will have an insight about it, why it’s popular, its benefits, structure of C program, and how it functions.

Let’s dive in.

What is the C language and why is it popular?

C language is one of the prominent and adaptable programming languages that may be utilised in a wide variety of technologies and projects. It features a simple set of keywords, clean and clear style, and low-level access to memory. The C source code created for a particular system can run flawlessly on others without requiring any modifications.

Learning C will assist you in learning a variety of different programming languages, including Java, which draw on the structure of C program as their foundation.

C language Fact: Despite being created only fo UNIX OSes, C language nowadays are working and compatible for all hardware platforms.

Prominent feature of C language

System management, network software development, and embedded software can all be done in C. This is why this language is also considered as a general purpose language.

C language is ideal for various applications due to a number of features and some of them are,

As C programme syntax is simple to understand and interpret, debugging programmes is easier and more efficient.
Since C programmes are often shorter than those written in other languages, they take less time to finish.
C language helps coders to create intricate software.
As this language is fast, reliable and beginner-friendly, many programmers prefer it.
Additionally, C is transferable and so copying a C program from one platform to another becomes easy.
Since C was initially introduced in 1979, there are a large number of libraries available to facilitate programmers.

Structure of C Program

Everything around us has a structure or pattern that defines it. For example, if we take flowers, it has petals, pores, colours, scent as such as its pattern.

Similarly, in the case of C language, there is a definite pattern that is followed by coders when they write a program.

The structure of the C program is split into six types that all makes the programming part easier, modifiable and consistent.

Here is the basic structure of C program:

Documentation: This part includes the program’s description, the name of the coder and on which date the program was created. This section is usually written as comments.
Link: This section consists of all the header files that hold functions from libraries. Before compilation, each header file’s copy is automatically inserted inside the code.
Definition: Definition has the preprocessor directive that holds the constants that are symbolic. For instance, #define that helps users to use constants within the code. This definition replaces the code’s constant values.
Global Declaration: This part comprises all global variables, function declarations, static global variables, etc, which allows users to use them easily.
Main() Function: This is the primitive and the most important function as in each program, the execution starts with this function. If a C program doesn’t start with the main() function, it will cause an error.
Subprograms: This part holds the functions that are provided by the users (user-defined). This can take in the functions that were declared in the Global declaration part as well. These subprograms are usually called in the main().

What are the commands in C?

Now that we know the structure of C program, we should also know the commands used in the language so that when we code we will know both the format and the functions. The commonly used commands in C are,

#include: Before compiling a programme, when we use #include, which is the main header file preprocessor (), it will allow users to preprocess the input and output header files like stdio.h
int main(): By using this command, the program will start the execution. Basically, it is at this point where a code begins. Once the main() is run, all the remaining methods will be executed.
{ : Curly braces are bracket forms that are used in all programming languages as they represent a method’s starting point or a function’s description.
/* explanation of C code */: The statement we give within the /* */ will be noted as comments. They won’t be executed since they’re only there for the coder’s knowledge.
Printf: This command enables the users to print the output in the compiler. If you’re coding in a C compiler online, your results will come only if you add this command.
Getch(): This command denotes the wait of the program for the user’s input.
Return 0: This command executes the result 0 since it closes the programme.
} : Similar to the open curly braces, this one closes a method.
// : These single lines are used in all programming languages and they’re used to add explanatory text to the program.
Return: We will get a code’s result only via this command.
t : This command is employed to an empty tab or a horizontal tab. This one is used to format the code and it is with the escape sequences group.
%d : This is an integer type character specifier. It makes the output come out fine.
Scanf: From the console terminal, the data of the user is taken using this C command.

Conclusion

The C language is very beneficial since many languages have its roots from this. We hope our guide gave you a deeper insight about the language. We suggest you to use a C compiler online to code and practise so that your practical skills will also be developed. All the best.