Where to start learning the C programming language?

Introduction

The C programming language is one of the oldest and most popular languages, having had a huge influence on the development of programming. C was created in 1972 by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs. At that time, computers were more primitive, and programming languages ​​were therefore more straightforward. C’s principles formed the basis for many modern languages, such as C++, C#, Java, Python, and others.

Why learn C?

The fact that the C language is over 50 years old doesn’t mean it’s unused—on the contrary, C is widely used in systems programming, OS development (e.g., Unix and Linux), embedded systems, and high-performance applications. C is one of the languages ​​used to program computer hardware, the so-called “hardware.”

According to the international TIOBE programming language ranking, C ranks fourth among the most popular programming languages ​​in 2024, surpassing even JavaScript. The ranking takes into account a variety of factors, from salaries to discussions on professional forums.

Features of the C programming language

C has several features that allow it to remain among the most popular programming languages.

1. A basic programming language. Learning C helps you understand the fundamental principles of how computers and other programming languages ​​work.
2. Market Demand. Many popular applications, including operating systems, databases, and graphics engines, are written in C.
3. High performance. C is used in mission-critical applications that require maximum efficiency.

What do they write in C?

This is not a complete list of areas where S is used.

• Operating systems: Linux, Windows, MacOS – all of them are based on C.
• Game engines: Unreal Engine.
• Databases: MySQL.
• Low-level programming: Smart gadgets, microcontrollers, even processors.

Where to start learning C?

C isn’t the easiest language to learn, especially on your own. You’ll need to understand the terminology, grasp the principles, and master the syntax. However, knowing C will make learning other programming languages ​​easier. Here’s what you can do to make learning C from scratch easier.

1. Define the learning objective

Before you even begin learning C, you need to understand why you need it. This will determine your development path and learning methods. Some possible goals:

• Development of embedded systems or microcontrollers.
• Creating high-performance applications.
• Understanding the basics of programming.

2. Set up your working environment

To program in C, you need a text editor, a compiler, and debugging tools.

• Compilers: One of the most popular is GCC (GNU Compiler Collection).
• Development environments (IDE):
  • Visual Studio Code: Easy setup and rich functionality.
  • Code::Blocks: Ideal for beginners.
  • Programiz C Compiler: A great online tool to get you started quickly.
• Text editor: Notepad++.

As tools are constantly being updated and improved, you may find other solutions for customizing your development environment, such as those with a built-in AI assistant.

3. Learn basic syntax

In a programming language, syntax is the set of rules for arranging symbols that make the language understandable to both computers and humans. In C, the main elements of syntax are:

• The main function is where every program begins.
• Parentheses – Parentheses () are used for functions or conditions, and curly braces {} indicate the beginning and end of a code block.
• Semicolon – marks the end of each command.
• Comments are added to the program text using a double slash or a slash with an asterisk.

4. Write your first program

After learning the basic syntax, you need to master the structure of a C program. The easiest way to do this is to write a simple program that prints “Hello, World.” For example:

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

This program uses:

• The function mainThat starts the program
• Curly braces to mark the boundaries of a code segment
• Parentheses for function value
• Screen output command printf
• A function return 0that reports the successful execution of a program.

What a C Programmer Should Know: Basic Concepts

Once you’ve mastered the basic syntax, it’s time to get serious about learning C. Here’s what a C programmer should know:

1. Variables and data types

Variables are used to store data. The main data types in C are:

• int: Integer numbers.
• float: Floating point numbers.
• char: Characters.
• double: Fractional numbers with greater precision.

2. Operators

The C language has many operators. The simplest ones are:

• Arithmetic ( +, -, *, / ).
• Logical ( &&, ||, ! ).
• Comparisons ( ==, !=, >, < ).

It is also important to be able to use conditional statements such as if, else, and while for statements – these are used to create loops.

3. Cycles

You can control the flow of a program in C using conditions and loops.

• if-else: Conditional constructs.
• for, while, do-while: Loops.

For is a loop that executes a certain number of times. While is a loop with a precondition that may not execute even once if the condition is not met. A do-while loop is a loop with a postcondition that executes at least once before the condition is met.

4. Libraries

Of course, over its more than 50 years of existence, the C language has acquired numerous libraries that significantly save time when writing code. You can include libraries in C like this:

#include <stdio.h>

Core C libraries:

• <stdio.h> — input/output.
• <stdlib.h> — memory management and data conversion.
• <string.h> — working with strings.
• <math.h> — mathematical functions.
• <time.h> — working with time.

Advanced C: Pointers, Arrays, Functions

From simple to complex: this is how you’ll progress as you learn C from scratch. Next, you’ll master the following:

1. Signs

Pointers are a tool in C that store an object’s memory address, allowing for more efficient use of shared memory. Pointers are used to create dynamic data structures and pass arguments by reference.

int x = 10;  
int *ptr = &x;  
printf("%d", *ptr); // Will display 10

2. Arrays

Arrays allow you to store multiple elements of the same type. For example:

int numbers[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};  
printf("%d", numbers[0]); //First element of the array 

3. Functions

A function in C has the following structure:

return_type function_name(parameters) {  
    // Function body 
    return value; // Optional if the return type is void 
}

Let’s look at the individual parts of the function:

• return_type: The data type the function returns (int, float, void, etc.).
• function_name: The name of the function.
• parameters: The parameters (arguments) that are passed to the function.
• return value: The value returned from the function (if it is not void).

An example of a function for adding two numbers:

int sum(int a, int b) {  
    return a + b;  
}

How to Learn C: Tips for Beginners

Here are some simple things that will help you learn the C programming language faster and easier.

• Start simple. Master basic concepts like variables, conditionals, and loops.
• Practice daily. Regular programming helps reinforce your skills. Write a few simple programs, like this:
  1. Calculator.
  2. Finding the maximum element of an array.
  3. Working with files.
• Analyze other people’s code. Read examples on GitHub and other resources.
• Explore additional resources, such as tutorials on Programiz.com.
• Solve problems. Use platforms like LeetCode, CodeWars, or HackerRank to solve C problems.

Get to know the basics of the C language for free

Learn C with our free course

Conclusion

Learning C may seem daunting, but its basics are accessible even to beginners. This language will teach you to think like a programmer and open the door to creating complex projects. If you want to speed up your learning process and gain practical knowledge, we recommend taking the basic C course at 365education. It’s a convenient way to learn programming from scratch, hone your skills, and prepare for real-world projects.

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