The C Programming Language: Comprehensive Guide
The C programming language is one of the most popular and widely used in the IT industry.
Created in the 1970s by Dennis Ritchie, it has been used to build operating systems such as Windows and Linux, desktop applications, system software, drivers, and firmware.
The C language was designed to be portable, efficient, and flexible. It is a low-level language that allows direct access to computer memory, but also a high-level language that enables writing complex programs.
In this comprehensive guide to the C language, we will learn how to program in C from the basics to more advanced concepts.
The following table summarizes the main features of the C language:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| First version year | 1972 |
| Programming paradigm | Imperative, Procedural, Structured |
| Designed by | Dennis Ritchie |
| Typing | Static, Manifest, Nominal, Weak |
| Compilation | Compiled |
| Memory management | Manual |
| Platform | Cross-platform |
| Standard | C89, C99, C11, C17, C23 |
| File extension | .c, .h |
The following table lists the main C language compilers:
| Compiler | Description |
|---|---|
| GCC | Most widely used open-source C and C++ compiler |
| Clang | Open-source C and C++ compiler |
| Visual Studio | Microsoft's C and C++ compiler |
| Intel C++ Compiler | Intel's C and C++ compiler |
| C++Builder | C and C++ compiler by Embarcadero (formerly Borland) |