What is C Language?
C is a general-purpose, procedural programming language developed in the early 1970s. It is one of the oldest and most influential languages, used widely in system programming, operating systems, embedded systems, and more.
It provides low-level memory access, a simple set of keywords, and a clean style. C is known as the mother of many modern languages like C++, Java, and Python.
Key Characteristics of C:
- Developed by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs in 1972.
- Procedural and structured programming language.
- Close to hardware, which makes it fast and efficient.
- Portable – can be used across different systems.
- Used in operating systems, drivers, embedded systems, etc.
Example: Real-life analogy
Think of C as a powerful engine of a car. It might not look fancy, but it gives you full control over performance, speed, and handling — that's why it's used for building operating systems and hardware drivers.
Example C Code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Hello, From ShikshaSanchar!");
return 0;
}Output:
Hello, From ShikshaSanchar!
Where is C Used?
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Windows, UNIX, Linux kernels |
| Embedded Systems | Microcontrollers, Firmware, IoT devices |
| Compilers & Interpreters | GCC, Python Interpreter (partially) |
| Game Development | Game engines for fast rendering |
Summary:
- C is a foundational language in computer science and software engineering.
- It is fast, efficient, and close to hardware, making it suitable for system-level programming.
- C has influenced many modern languages.
- First choice when performance and control are critical.