Introduction to C Programming

C is one of the most powerful and widely used programming languages in the world. Developed by Dennis Ritchie in 1972 at Bell Labs, C laid the foundation for many modern programming languages like C++, Java, and even Python. It is often called the “mother of all programming languages.”

Why Learn C?

Foundation for Programming – Learning C helps students understand how computers work at a deeper level, including memory, pointers, and data structures.
Speed & Efficiency – Programs written in C are fast and efficient, making it ideal for system-level programming.
Portability – A C program can run on almost any computer with little or no modification.
Widely Used in Real World – Operating systems (like Unix, Linux, Windows kernels), embedded systems, and compilers are built using C.

Key Features of C

Simple & Structured: Programs can be divided into small, reusable modules.
Low-level Access: Supports direct memory manipulation with pointers.
Portable: Write once, run anywhere.
Rich Library: Comes with a wide set of built-in functions.

Basic Structure of a C Program


#include <stdio.h>  

int main() {
    printf("Hello, World!");
    return 0;
}

📌 Every C program has:

Header Files (#include <stdio.h>)
main() function (the entry point of the program)
Statements (the logic/code written inside { })

Applications of C

Developing operating systems
Writing compilers and interpreters
Embedded system programming
Game development and performance-critical applications

✅ Conclusion:
C is not just a programming language; it is a stepping stone for every computer science student. If you want to build a strong foundation in programming, start with C.