C Programming

C – Language History

• The C programming language is a structure oriented programming language, developed at Bell Laboratories in 1972 by Dennis Ritchie
• C programming language features were derived from an earlier language called “B” (Basic Combined Programming Language – BCPL)
• C language was invented for implementing UNIX operating system
• In 1978, Dennis Ritchie and Brian Kernighan published the first edition  “The C Programming Language” and commonly known as K&R C
• In 1983, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) established a committee to provide a modern, comprehensive definition of C. The resulting definition, the ANSI standard, or “ANSI C”, was completed late 1988.

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Features of C programming language

• Reliability
• Portability
• Flexibility
• Interactivity
• Modularity
• Efficiency and Effectiveness

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Uses of C programming language

The C programming language is used for developing system applications that forms a major portion of operating systems such as Windows, UNIX and Linux. Below are some examples of C being used.

• Database systems
• Graphics packages
• Word processors
• Spreadsheets
• Operating system development
• Compilers and Assemblers
• Network drivers
• Interpreters

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Key points to remember in C language

-> The C language is structured, middle level programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie

-> Operating system programs such as Windows, Unix, Linux are written in C language

-> C89/C90 and C99 are two standardized editions of C language

-> C has been written in assembly language

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