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C

By Kinza Yasar

What is C?

The C programming language is a procedural and general-purpose language that provides low-level access to system memory. A program written in C must be run through a C compiler to convert it into an executable that a computer can run. Many versions of Unix-based operating systems (OSes) are written in C and it has been standardized as part of the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX).

Today, the C programming language runs on many different hardware platforms and OSes such as Microsoft and Linux.

Pros and cons of C

The C language comes with a set of special characteristics, making it one of the most widely used languages of all time. The following are the main benefits of using C:

C also comes with a few shortfalls, even though it's an ideal language for programming beginners due to its simple syntax, algorithms and modular structure. The following are a few disadvantages of using C:

Where is C used?

C has a wide range of real-world applications that aren't limited to the development of OSes and applications. C is also used in areas such as graphical user interface development and integrated development environments.

The following are some use cases for the C language:

What's the difference between C and C++?

While C and C++ sound familiar, the usage and features of both languages differ to a certain extent. C++ is a superset and successor to the C language that uses an entirely different set of programming concepts. C is a procedural programming language, whereas C++ provides OOP support.

The following highlights the differences between the two languages:

History of C

The C programming language was developed at the former AT&T Bell Laboratories in the early 1970s by computer scientist Dennis Ritchie. The successor to the B language, C was initially developed for writing code for the Unix operating system, which at the time used assembly programs that communicated directly with the computer hardware. Assembly programs can be complex and lengthy, and programmers needed a language that promoted a user-friendly set of instructions. C fulfilled these objectives and also helped overcome the challenges that programmers experienced with BASIC, B and Basic Combined Programming Language. 

Due to its popularity and flexible features, it was soon released for cross-platform usage and quickly became commercialized. C is still commonly used in web development projects and many popular languages, such as Java, PHP and JavaScript have directly or indirectly borrowed features and syntax from C.

While C has transformed over the years, it's still used commonly in lower-level programs, such as kernels.

C has rapidly evolved since its inception. Examine the history of C, how it has evolved and why it's still relevant today.

04 Nov 2022

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