What is C programming?

Introduction and history of c

C programming is considered as the base for other programming languages, thats why it is known as "mother language".
C is a middle-level procedure oriented programming language, used in general purpose programming, developed by Dennis Ritchie at AT&T Bell labs, USA between 1969 and 1973.

  • “C” became popular because of its reliability, simple and easy to use.
  • ALGOL 60 was developed and did not become popular because it was too general and too abstract.
  • They developed “CPU” (Combined Programming Language).
  • It can be compiled on a variety of computer platforms.
  • Next as it could not come up to make ALGOL 60 better one they moved to “BCPL” (Basic Combines Programming Language. Developed by martin Richard Cambridge University).
  • . At the same time a language called “B” written by ken Thompson at AT & T‟S. Bell laboratories as a further simplification of BCPL.
C Programming Language Version History:
  • 1972-  Traditional C- Denis Richie
  • 1978-  K & R C        - Kernighan and Richie
  • 1989-  ANSI C         - ANSI Committee
  • 1990-  ANSI/ISO C  - ISO Committee
  • 1999-  C 99            - Standardization Committee
Importance of C language:
  1. In 1988, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has formalized the C language.
  2. C was invented to write UNIX operating system.
  3. UNIX is considered to be one of the most robust and secured operating system. C was used to write it, So C is very efficient that it can be used to create an OS.
  4. C is a successor of ‘Basic Combined Programming Language’ (BCPL) called B language.
  5. Linux OS, PHP and MySQL are written in C.
  6. C has been written in assembly language.
  7. C has high flexibility means a function can be written and can be used so many times at so many places. It increases the modularity.
  8. Rich set of library support.
  9. The C 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
    10. where C language is being used:
    • Database systems
    • Graphics packages
    • Word processors
    • Spreadsheets
    • Operating system development
    • Compilers and Assemblers

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