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---

title: C Tutorial | Learn C Programming Language - Scaler Topics
description: Basic to advanced C tutorial for programmers. Learn C with step-by-step guide along with applications and example programs by Scaler Topics.
author: 
category: C
---

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## What is C Programming Language?

The C Programming Language is a procedural-oriented programming language. It was invented by Dennis Ritchie in `1972`. It was designed specifically as a System Programming Language for the development of various operating systems. Low-level memory access, a small collection of keywords, and a straightforward style make the C Language ideal for system programming, such as compiler and kernel development.  
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## Why to learn C Programming Language?

- C Language has been one of the **most extensively used and favored programming languages** since its inception.  
- C enables you to understand a **computer's fundamental design**, as well as how it stores and retrieves data.  
- Learning C will eventually help in understanding the concepts of other programming languages like **Java, Python, etc.** faster.  
- You can start working on **open-source projects** as C is used in some of the greatest open-source projects, such as in the making of Linux Kernel Software, Libraries of Python, Databases like SQLite, etc.  
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## C as a Mother Language

C programming language has inspired the creation of many other languages like C++ (also known as C with classes), `C#, Python, Java, JavaScript, Perl, PHP`, and others. **Every programming language uses the C programming language to varying degrees**. Python, for example, uses C for creating its standard libraries, whereas `C++, PHP, and Perl` need C for their syntaxes and control structures and that is why it is also commonly referred to as the `"mother of all programming languages"`.  

## C as a System Programming Language

C Language is known as a system programming language because it is **compatible with low-level programming**. It is commonly used to create operating systems, hardware devices, drivers, kernels, and system software such as the Linux Kernel Software is written in C.  

## C as a Procedural Programming Language

 C is referred to as a procedural programming language because it employs a set of instructions to **teach the computer what to do step by step**. It relies on the procedures or the routines.  

## C as a Structured Programming Language

C acts as a Structured Programming Language because we can **divide our program into pieces using functions** to simplify the program's comprehension and modification. It is a subset of the Procedural Programming Language.  

## C as a Mid-Level Programming Language

C Language is classified as a Middle-Level Programming language because it is close to both machines (low-level) and humans (high-level). The C language program is translated into assembly code, which enables low-level pointer arithmetic and it is machine independent that is a property of high-level languages.

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## C Program
This C tutorial provides all C programs and their Explanation along with a C compiler, allowing you to easily modify the code of the C programs.

```cpp
#include <stdio.h>  
int main() {  
printf("Hello World!\n");  
return 0;  
}  
```

**Output**
```plaintext
Hello World!
```

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## What are the types of C Programs?

Programs in C can be of many types, these are as listed below:

1. Simple Input/Output
2. Functional Programs
3. Pointers based
4. Array-based
5. Structures based
6. Files Handling etc.

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## Facts about the C Programming Language

- C is the only programming language that has been around for so long and is still frequently used.
- `UNIX OS` is completely written in C and it was the first operating system kernel that was written in a non-assembly language.
- C is the replacement for the B programming language, which was first presented in the early 1970s.
- `C18` is the most recent version of the C language, which was released in June of 2018.

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## Applications of C Programming Language

C is used to create embedded software and firmware for a variety of micro-controller-based electronics, industrial, and communications equipment. C was originally used for software development, namely for the programs that make up an operating system. C can have a variety of applications, for example, in :

- Operating Systems
- Compilers
- Interpreters
- Assemblers
- Text Editors
- Drivers
- Databases, etc.

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## Audience
By following this C tutorial, you will gain a solid understanding of the language and be able to progress to more advanced topics. This tutorial is intended for software programmers who want to learn the C programming language from the very beginning. It provides enough knowledge to serve as a foundation for building a higher level of expertise in C programming.

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## Prerequisites for this C Tutorial

**No Prerequisites** are required for this tutorial if you have basic computer knowledge. These articles are structured purely for beginners and will go to an advanced level gradually.  

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## What will you learn in this C Tutorial?

This online C Tutorial is for beginners who want to learn C programming from basics to advanced level. This tutorial will guide you through all of the fundamentals of C programming, such as what is C, Variables, Declaration, Definition, Scope, Data Types, Operators, Conditions, Loops, Strings, Structures, Functions, Pointers, Memory Management, etc.  

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## Difference between C and C++

Here are some key differences between C and C++:

- C++ is an object-oriented language, while C is not.
- C++ is generally considered more complex than C.
- C++ has more advanced memory management features than C.
- C++ is generally backward compatible with C, but not the other way around.
- C++ has a more extensive standard library than C.
- C is commonly used for systems programming and embedded systems, while C++ is often used for application development, particularly in gaming and graphics.
- C and C++ have large and active communities with different areas of focus and expertise.

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This C Tutorial is purely made to assist you in starting your programming career with C Language. The articles are structured in a way that will help you understand the programming concepts like never before. 

C Tutorial

History of C Language

Importance of C Programming Language

Install C

How to Install C and GCC Compiler on Linux?

How to Install C language in Mac?

Download and Install C/GCC Compiler for Windows

C Compiler for Mac

How to Compile C Program in Linux?

Compilation Process in C

Difference Between Compiler and Interpreter

Introduction to C

Character Set in C

Tokens in C

Identifiers in C

Constants in C

Data Types in C

Overflow and Underflow in C

Declaration of Variables in C

Structure of a C Program

Comments in C

Building Block of C Language

Input and Output Functions in C

Format specifiers in C

Hello World Program in C

First C Program

Command Line Arguments in C

Memory Layout in C

Macros in C

#define and #include in C

Basic Input Output in C

Operators in C 

Arithmetic Operators in C

Relational Operators in C

Logical Operators in C

Assignment Operators in C

Increment and Decrement Operators in C

Conditional Operator in C

Bitwise Operators in C

Operator Precedence and Associativity in C

sizeof() in C

Math.h Functions in C Library

Evaluation of Arithmetic Expression

Implicit Type Conversion in C

Operators and Expressions in C

C – if Statement

C if...else Statement

Nested If else Statement in C

Switch Case in C

Difference Between If-Else and Switch

C Ternary Operator (With Examples)

goto Statement in C

For loop in C

What is Do While Loop in C?

Jump Statements in C

Flow Control in C

C Strings - Declaring Strings in C

Strings Input and Output functions in C

String Comparison in C

String Functions in C

Strings in C

Function Call Stack in C

Types of Errors in C

Common Mistakes in C

Debugging a C Program

Debugging in C

Structures in C

Nested Structure in C with Examples

Pointers with Structures in C

Structure and functions in C

Array of Structure in C

C - Unions

C Enumeration (enum)

User Defined Data Types in C

One Dimensional Arrays in C-Programming

C Multidimensional Arrays (Two Dimensional Array in C)

Dynamic Array in C

Arrays in C

Functions in C

C Standard Library Functions

User Defined Functions in C

Difference Between Arguments and Parameters in C

Call by Value and Call by Reference in C

Recursion in C

Pass Array to Function in C

Storage Classes in C

Scope, Visibility and Lifetime of a Variable in C

What is a Pointer in C?

Pointers in C

Pointer Declaration in C

Dangling Pointer in C

Constant Pointer in C

Array of Pointers in C

String Pointer in C

Function Pointer in C

C – Pointer to Pointer (Double Pointer)

Difference Between Compile Time and Run Time in C

Dynamic Memory Allocation in C

Linked List Data Structure in C

Stack Using Linked List in C

Implementation of Queue using Linked List

File Handling in C

Error Handling in C

Random Access File in C

File Management in C