Chapter 4. The C Programming Language Objectives: at The End of The Lesson, The Student Will Be Able To

Chapter 4.
The C programming language

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
 Know what C programming language.

 Learn the importance of C programming language.
 Identify the different applications of C programming language.
4.1 What is C Programming?
C is categorized as a general-purpose programming language. It is a mid-level
programming language that combines the efficiency of a low level programming language and
the readability of a high level programming language. It is very popular, simple, and portable.
This type of programming language is machine dependent and extensively used in different
applications. These applications can range from embedded systems to development of complex
system such as an Operating System.
There is a presumption that by learning and mastering C, it is easy to migrate to a
different programming language. Probably, the reason for this, is that most modern
programming languages have its roots from C.
4.2 History of C Programming Language
C was developed by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Laboratories. It was created coming from the
concepts of ALGOL, BCPL and B programming languages and share the same features of these
programming languages.
C is a very powerful programming language and was first strongly associated with the
UNIX operating system. As it became popular and started spreading around the world, many
compilers were developed to allow cross platform systems.
Today, C runs on almost any type of operating systems and hardware platforms. A new
problem arise because of the fast pace development of the hardware and software. Developers
were having a problem with older versions of C language running in new platforms. To mitigate
such problem, the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) defined a new standard for C
programming language in 1989 and was approved by the International Standards Organization
(ISO) in 1990. C programming language was renamed ANSI C and is being used henceforth.
Figure 1 below shows the popularity of C programming language in terms of mobile,
embedded and systems development base from the survey of the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering (IEEE).
Fig. 1 IEEE – the best 10 top programming language in 2018
4.3 Applications of C
If C is such a strong and popular programming language, then you might be wondering
where C is applied. Below is one of the many list of the flexibility of C when it comes to its
application.
1. Embedded systems development particularly in automotive control systems.

2. Desktop applications.
3. Applications by Adobe were developed using C.
4. Google Chromium and its extensions were developed using with C.
5. MYSQL, a popular database software was developed using C.
6. Operating systems like Microsoft Windows, Apple’s OS X and Symbian for
Apple’s mobile operating system were developed using C.
7. Widely used for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
4.4 Why learn C?
There is a need to learn C programming language because of our profession as a

Computer Engineer. A Computer Engineer delves on both hardware and software development.
Most of the tools and software were written or developed in C. There are quite a lot of
industries that are using C in the development of their products. It is advantageous if we learn
how to program using C programming language.
Some of the reasons on why we need to learn C programming are the following:
1. C is a structured programming language divided into modules. Each of these

modules can be separately written making it for easy testing, debugging and
maintaining the program.
2. C contains different data types and powerful built in functions that helps
programming efficient.
3. C can extend itself through the development of libraries. We can add user
defined functions through the libraries and access it. This feature makes C
programming simple.
4. C is portable. It runs on almost any type of Operating System and computer
architecture.
4.5 C programming language
C is a free software. You can search the internet and download a copy of a C
programming language Integrated Development Environment (IDE). In this subject, the author
is using turbo C++ 3.2 IDE because of its simplicity in writing and running the program. The
compiler is also compatible with windows 10 and supports full screen mode. To get a copy of
this compiler, you can email me at edgar.uy@bisu.edu.ph or type developerinsider.co on your
search engine, follow the instructions and download a copy of it.
After installing and running the application, you will be diverted to the Turbo C IDE.
Compare your screen with the figure below. If your screen is the same as the figure displayed
below, then congratulations you have successfully installed a running Turbo C Compiler.
Figure 2. The Turbo C Compiler

4.6 The Turbo C Compiler
Before we start writing programs, it is very important that we know how to use our
compiler and navigate its environment. In this section we are going to learn the different menu
options with its corresponding function. The author will only give emphasis on the basic menu
options. As for the other menu options, it is your duty and obligation to read, understand,
explore and experiment.
4.6.1 The Main menu option
On top of the turbo C IDE is the Main menu option. There are ten different
options.
File The File menu option handles the different file operations, manipulates
the directories, quit option and switch to DOS Shell.
Edit An option to create and edit a source file.
Search Search a specific file.
Run An option that runs your executable file.
Compile Converts the source file into and object and executable file.
Debug Track and manages errors
Project Specify what files are in the program and manages the project
Options An option that allows you to select compiler options, link, diagnostics
and define macros. This also records the Include output, library file
directories and load options from the configuration file.
Window Manipulates the window of the IDE.
Help Invokes the help option of the TC IDE.
4.6.2 The File menu option
To activate the file menu option, click on the F or press ALT + F. Once the
menu option is activated, a pop menu option will appear. To navigate the pop up
menu option, use the up or down arrow.
New Create new source file

Open Open existing source file
Save Save options for saving a source file
4.6.3 Edit menu option
The edit menu option allows you to access the

different edit options when you are typing your
program.
4.6.4 Run menu option
The run menu option allows you run your executable

source file.
4.6.5 Compile menu option
The compile menu option coverts your source file into

an executable file. The general rule is, compile first
before running your program. Compiling does not only
converts your source file but informs you if there are
errors in your source file.
Now that we have learned the basic menu options required in writing and
running a program, we can now start to create, write and run a program in the TC
IDE.
References:
1. Turbo C users Guide

IBM Version
Retrieved from: www.bitsaver.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de
Date of retrieval: September 8, 2020.
2. www.guru99.com
3. C Language Tutorial
Retrieved from: www.freebookcentre.net.
Date of retrieval: September 7, 2020.
4. Learn C and C++ Programming language
www.developerinsider.co
5. The C Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Kernighan B.
Ritchie D.

Chapter 4. The C Programming Language Objectives: at The End of The Lesson, The Student Will Be Able To

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Chapter 4. The C Programming Language Objectives: at The End of The Lesson, The Student Will Be Able To

Uploaded by

Chapter 4.

The C programming language

 Know what C programming language.

1. Embedded systems development particularly in automotive control systems.

4.4 Why learn C?

There is a need to learn C programming language because of our profession as a

1. C is a structured programming language divided into modules. Each of these

4.5 C programming language

Figure 2. The Turbo C Compiler

4.6.1 The Main menu option

4.6.2 The File menu option

New Create new source file

The edit menu option allows you to access the

4.6.4 Run menu option

The run menu option allows you run your executable

4.6.5 Compile menu option

The compile menu option coverts your source file into

1. Turbo C users Guide

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