C - Introduction

What is C?

C is a general-purpose programming language that was developed in the 1970s. It was designed to provide low-level access to the system, allowing efficient manipulation of hardware resources. C has a simple syntax and provides a wide range of features for developing efficient and portable software.

Why Learn C?

Learning C has several advantages:

  • C is widely used in various fields, including system programming, embedded systems, and game development.
  • It forms the basis of many other programming languages, making it easier to learn other languages once you understand C.
  • C allows for efficient memory management and low-level manipulation, making it suitable for developing high-performance applications.
  • Many operating systems and software applications are written in C, so learning C gives you a deeper understanding of how they work.

Difference between C and C++

  • C and C++ are both programming languages, but they have some differences:
  • C++ is an extension of the C language, adding new features such as classes and objects, which facilitate object-oriented programming.
  • C is a procedural programming language, focusing on functions and code organization.
  • C++ supports object-oriented programming paradigms, including classes, inheritance, and polymorphism.
  • C++ has a richer standard library compared to C, providing additional functionalities for data structures, input/output, and other tasks.
  • C programs can be compiled and executed in a C++ compiler, but not all C++ programs can be compiled in a C compiler due to the additional language features.

Keep in mind that while learning C, it is beneficial to have a basic understanding of programming concepts such as variables, data types, control flow, and functions. Let's move on to some basic C programming concepts using Turbo C.