C Programming

C Language is developed by Dennis Ritchie for creating system applications that directly interact with the hardware devices such as drivers, kernels, etc. C programming is considered as the base for other programming languages, that is why it is known as the mother language. C programming language is a MUST for students and working professionals to become great Software Engineer especially when they are working in Software Development Domain.

C language can be defined in the following ways:

1. Mother language

C Language is considered as the mother of all programming languages as it has built a strong base for all programming languages like Java, Python, C++, Javascript, etc. C language can be used to create System applications (or software). A system application is required in case a user wants to interact with the hardware, a user can not interact directly with the hardware. System applications directly interact with the hardware devices such as drivers, kernels, etc. C language follows the top-down approach. C language had provided many new concepts for the programming language like variables, data types, loops, array, function, file handling, dynamic memory allocation, pointers and most of these concepts are used in many modern languages like C++, Java, C#.

2. System programming language

C is called a systems language because it allows enough low-level access to directly address hardware (given the proper privileges). For this reason, it is an appropriate choice for device drivers, and operating systems features. A system programming language is used to create system software. It is generally used to create hardware devices, OS, drivers, kernels, etc. For example, the Linux kernel is written in C. It can't be used for internet programming like Java, .Net, PHP, etc.

3. Procedure-Oriented programming language

C Language is procedure-oriented language because a large program is divided into modules. ... Because C programs follow a procedure of steps written in it, called functions. It follows a top-down approach i.e. much importance is given to the flow of the program rather than on data on which functions operate.

4. Structured programming language

The program which solves the entire problem is a collection of such structural blocks. Even a bigger structural block like a function can have smaller inner structural blocks like decisions and loops. Structured programming came into the picture after the assembly language, ALGOL 58 and ALGOL 60. A structured programming language is a subset of the procedural language. Structure means to break a program into parts or blocks so that it may be easy to understand.

5. Mid-level programming language

C is called mid-level language because it binds the gap between a machine-level language and high-level languages. A user can use c language to do System Programming (for writing operating systems) as well as Application Programming (for generating menu-driven customer billing systems). C language program is converted into assembly code, it supports pointer arithmetic (low-level), but it is machine independent (a feature of high-level).