Introduction of Programming Concept
Programming is the process of instructing a computer to perform specific tasks through a set of commands or code written in a programming language. It allows humans to communicate with computers, enabling them to perform complex calculations, manipulate data, and automate tasks.
Introduction of C Language (History & Overview)
C is a general-purpose programming language that has had a profound impact on the development of software and other languages. Developed in the early 1970s by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs, C was initially used to write operating systems, including UNIX. Its efficiency and flexibility contributed to its widespread adoption, making it a foundational language in computer science and programming.
Difference Between Traditional and Modern C
Traditional C refers to the older standards of the language, primarily C89 and C90. Modern C, which includes the C99 and C11 standards, introduces additional features such as new data types, enhanced support for complex data structures, and improved language constructs. The modern versions also emphasize better memory management and enhanced compatibility with modern hardware.
C Character Set
The C character set includes letters (both uppercase and lowercase), digits, special characters (like punctuation marks), and escape sequences (such as \n for newline). This set is crucial for writing valid syntax in C programs.
C Tokens
Tokens are the smallest individual units in a program. In C, tokens can be divided into several categories:
Keywords
Keywords are reserved words that have predefined meanings in C, such as int, return, if, and while.
Constants
Constants are fixed values that do not change during program execution, such as numeric values (10, 3.14) or character constants ('A', 'Z').
Strings
Strings are sequences of characters enclosed in double quotes, e.g., "Hello, World!".
Identifiers and Variables
Identifiers are names given to various program elements, such as variables, functions, and arrays. Variables are identifiers that refer to data that can change.
Operators
Operators perform operations on variables and values. The eight types of operators in C are:
- Arithmetic Operators (
+,-,*,/,%) - Relational Operators (
==,!=,<,>,<=,>=) - Logical Operators (
&&for AND,||for OR,!for NOT) - Bitwise Operators (
&,|,^,~,<<,>>) - Assignment Operators (
=,+=,-=,*=,/=,%=) - Increment and Decrement Operators (
++,--) - Conditional Operator (
?:) - Comma Operator (
,)
Hierarchy of Operators
The hierarchy of operators determines the order in which operations are performed in expressions. Higher-precedence operators are evaluated before lower-precedence ones. For example, multiplication and division have higher precedence than addition and subtraction.
Type Casting
Type casting allows programmers to convert data from one type to another (e.g., from an integer to a float) to ensure compatibility between different data types during operations.
Data Types in C
C supports a variety of data types, including:
- Basic Data Types:
int,char,float, anddouble - Derived Data Types: Arrays, Structures, Unions, and Pointers
- Enumeration Types: Define a variable that can hold a set number of values from predefined constants.
Preprocessors in C
Preprocessors are directives that give instructions to the compiler to preprocess the source code before compilation. They include commands like #include, which loads libraries, and #define, which defines macros for constants or functions.
