C programming language is a general-purpose, imperative popular computer programming language. It supports structured programming, variable scope, recursion, provide low-level access to memory etc. C become one of the most widely used programming languages of all time. C is also the most widely used programming language for writing operating systems, UNIX is the first programming language written in C.
C programming is considered as the precursor for almost all of the most popular high-level languages available today including C++, D, Go, Rust, Java etc.
Advantages of C Programming Language
- Easy to learn : C is a very easy to learn middle level language for expressing ideas in programming in a way that most people are comfortable with.
- Low-level Language Support : C language is reasonably close to assembly machine. It support features like pointers, bytes and bit level manipulation. C allows the programmer to write directly to memory. C structures, pointers and arrays are designed to structure and manipulate memory in an efficient, machine-independent fashion. It is generally used to create hardware devices, OS, drivers, kernels etc.
- Structured programming language : A structured programming language breaks and abstract a program into small logical components which are responsible for performing a specific task. C's main structural components are functions or subroutines. It makes the program easier to understand and modify.
- Produces efficient programs : C language is a compiled programming language, which creates fast and efficient executable files. It also provides a set of library functions for common utilities. C provides a lot of inbuilt functions that makes the development fast.
- Produces portable programs : C language produces portable programs, they can be run on any compiler with little or no modifications. One of the main strengths of C is that it combines universality and portability across various computer architectures.
- Powerful programming language : C language provides a wide variety of inbuilt data types and ability to create custom data types using structs. It also provides a large set of commonly used Input/Output, Mathematical, String etc, related functions as C standard library. C has a rich set of control statements, arithmetic operators, loops etc which provides a powerful tool for programmer to implement his logic as a C program.
- Memory Management : C language provide support for dynamic memory allocation. In C, we can allocate and free the allocated memory at any time by calling library functions like malloc, calloc and free.
- Procedural Language : The programming language C is procedural, which means that it solves problems using a top-down methodology. Functions that carry out certain tasks make up programs written in C, and these functions are called in a particular order to achieve the program's main objective.
- Modularity : C's ability to be modular is one of its advantages. One can break up a C program into more manageable modules or functions. The code is simpler to comprehend, maintain, and debug since each function has a distinct job to do. Because functions may be utilized in various program sections or even in other programs, modularity also encourages code reuse.
- Portability : Programs written in C may operate on many platforms with little to no modification because of their high degree of portability. This is because compilers are available for a wide range of hardware and operating systems. By establishing a set of guidelines that compilers must follow to ensure consistency across various implementations, the ANSI C standard further improves portability.
- Pointers : C's powerful pointer feature enables direct memory address manipulation. Pointers enable effective memory management and make operations like dynamic memory allocation easier, but they must be handled carefully to prevent mistakes like segmentation faults. When working with arrays and constructing data structures, pointers are necessary.
- Efficiency : C is renowned for its ability to operate efficiently over time and space. It gives direct access to memory locations and permits low-level data manipulation. When performance is important or you're developing in an environment with limited resources, this functionality comes in handy.
- Recursion : C allows functions to call themselves since it supports recursion. When tackling issues that may be divided into smaller versions of the same problem, this ability comes in handy. Recursion should only be utilized sparingly, though, to prevent stack overflow issues and high memory usage.
- Structured Programming : C enables structured programming, which encourages the use of control structures like as loops and conditionals to logically arrange code. This aids in the creation of code that is clear, legible, and maintainable. The organized method streamlines the process of software creation and debugging.
- Preprocessor Directives : Before compilation, C includes a preprocessor that functions on the source code. Preprocessor directives, which begin with a '#' symbol, are used to include header files, define constants, and execute conditional compilation. This feature improves code structure and reuse.
- Rich Standard Library : Numerous standard libraries that offer a broad variety of functions for frequently used tasks are included with C. These libraries provide functions for input/output, memory allocation, mathematical computations, and string manipulation. By using pre-implemented functions rather than developing code from scratch, developers can save time and effort while using these libraries.
Uses of C Programming Language
- System Programming : When it comes to system programming jobs, C is frequently the preferred language. Because C allows for direct access to hardware and has low-level capabilities, it is commonly used to write operating systems, device drivers, and firmware. C's proficiency with memory locations and close system interaction make it an excellent choice for tasks requiring effective resource management.
- Embedded Systems : C is widely used for programming embedded systems, which are found in gadgets like microcontrollers, automobile control systems, and Internet of Things devices. Programming embedded software is made easier with C's efficiency, portability, and flexibility to function in resource-constrained contexts.
- Compilers and Interpreters : C is frequently used to create interpreters and compilers for other computer languages. The fact that C is self-hosting—that is, that one can construct a C compiler in C—demonstrates that one may write tools to translate and run code written in different languages.
- Database Systems : C is used in the implementation of many relational database engines and database management systems (DBMS). C is a good choice for constructing the essential parts of database systems because of its effectiveness in managing memory and performing low-level operations. This ensures dependable and quick data storage and retrieval.
- Operating Systems Development : The most common language used to create operating systems is C. Major operating systems such as Linux and Unix have their kernels developed in C. Operating systems need to be developed using the language's ability to manage memory, interface with hardware, and provide low-level control over system resources.
- C language was originally developed by Dennis Ritchie between 1969 and 1973 at AT&T Bell Labs.
- The UNIX Operating system was totally written in C programming language by 1973.
- C Language was originally developed for creating system applications that direct interacts to the hardware devices.
- B language is the precursor of C.
- C is considered to be the mother of all today's modern programming languages.
C is often called a middle level programming language because it supports the feature of both high level and low level language. C being a mid level language doesn't mean that, it is less powerful or harder to use than any high level language.
C language combines the best elements of high level language with the control and flexibility of low-level language(assembly language). Like assembly language, C language provide support for manipulation of bits, bytes and memory pointers at the same time it is not machine dependent like high level languages.