Introduction To C

What is C Language?

C is a programming language which is very popular, simple and easy to learn. The C Language is derived from the B language, which was written by Ken Thompson at AT & T Bell Laboratories. The B language was adopted from a language called BCPL (Basic Combined Programming Language), which was developed by Martin Richards at Cambridge University. 

Characteristics of C

It is middle level language. It has the simplicity of a high level language as well as the power of a low level language. This aspect of C makes it suitable for writing both application programs and system program. Hence it is an excellent, efficient and general-purpose language for most of the applications such as mathematics, scientific, business and system software application.

C is small language, consisting of only 32 English words known as keywords (if, else, for, break etc). The power of C is augmented by the library functions provided with it. Moreover, the language is extendible since it allows the users to add their own library function to the library.

C contains control constructs needed to write a structured program hence it is considered a structured programming language. It includes structures for selection (if....else, switch), repetition (while, for, do..while) and for loop exit (break).