In this guide we will walk through the fundamentals of C with simple explanations and examples for each concept. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of how to write basic C programs and use common data types, variables, and control structures.
Code examples will be provided along the way and you can try it using online C compilers:
- Programiz — C Programming Online Compiler
- One Compiler — Online C Compiler
- Tutorialspoint — Online C Compiler
- W3Schools — Online C Compiler
1. Getting Started with C Programming
What is C?
C is a general-purpose programming language that’s widely used in system and embedded programming. It’s a great starting point because it helps you understand core computing concepts like memory management.
2. Basic Structure of a C Program
Let’s start with the basic structure of a C program:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Hello, World!\n"); // Prints a message to the console
return 0;
}
Explanation:
#include <stdio.h>
is a preprocessor directive that tells the compiler to include the standard input/output library.int main()
is the main function where your program starts.printf
is used to display text on the screen.return 0;
ends the program and returns control to the operating system.
3. Variables and Data Types
Variables in C are used to store data. Let’s dive into the common data types and see examples of how to use them.
3.1 Integer (int
)
Used to store whole numbers (positive or negative).
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int age = 25;
printf("Age: %d\n", age); // Output: Age: 25
return 0;
}
%d
is used inprintf
to format integers.
3.2 Floating Point (float
, double
)
Used to store decimal numbers.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
float temperature = 36.5;
double pi = 3.14159;
printf("Temperature: %.1f\n", temperature); // Output: Temperature: 36.5
printf("Value of Pi: %.5f\n", pi); // Output: Value of Pi: 3.14159
return 0;
}
%f
is used for floating-point numbers inprintf
.%.1f
means print one decimal place,%.5f
means five decimal places.
3.3 Character (char
)
Used to store a single character.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
char initial = 'A';
printf("Initial: %c\n", initial); // Output: Initial: A
return 0;
}
%c
is used to format characters.
3.4 String (Array of char
)
C doesn’t have a dedicated string type, so you use an array of characters.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
char name[] = "Alice";
printf("Name: %s\n", name); // Output: Name: Alice
return 0;
}
%s
is used for strings (arrays of characters).
4. Input and Output in C
In C, we use the printf
function to display output and the scanf
function to read input from the user. Let’s look at examples for input and output with different data types.
4.1 Integer Input/Output
For integer variables, we use %d
in both printf
(to display) and scanf
(to read).
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int age;
printf("Enter your age: "); // Prompt the user
scanf("%d", &age); // Read an integer from the user
printf("You are %d years old.\n", age); // Display the input value
return 0;
}
Explanation:
scanf("%d", &age);
reads an integer from user input and stores it in the variableage
.%d
is the format specifier for integers.
4.2 Floating-Point Input/Output
For floating-point numbers, we use %f
in both printf
and scanf
. You can control the number of decimal places displayed by using precision format like %.2f
.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
float height;
printf("Enter your height in meters: ");
scanf("%f", &height); // Read a floating-point number
printf("Your height is %.2f meters.\n", height); // Output with 2 decimal places
return 0;
}
Explanation:
scanf("%f", &height);
reads a floating-point number.%.2f
inprintf
displays the floating-point number with two decimal places.
4.3 Double Input/Output
For double-precision floating-point numbers (which are more precise than float
), use %lf
in scanf
and %f
in printf
.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
double distance;
printf("Enter the distance in kilometers: ");
scanf("%lf", &distance); // Read a double-precision number
printf("The distance is %.3f kilometers.\n", distance); // Output with 3 decimal places
return 0;
}
Explanation:
scanf("%lf", &distance);
reads a double-precision floating-point number.%.3f
inprintf
displays the number with three decimal places.
4.4 Character Input/Output
For character variables, we use %c
in both printf
and scanf
.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
char initial;
printf("Enter the first letter of your name: ");
scanf(" %c", &initial); // Read a character
printf("Your initial is: %c\n", initial);
return 0;
}
Explanation:
scanf(" %c", &initial);
reads a single character. Notice the space before%c
, which is important to consume any newline or whitespace characters left in the input buffer.%c
is used inprintf
to display the character.
4.5 String Input/Output (Array of Characters)
In C, strings are arrays of characters, and we use %s
to handle them in printf
and scanf
. When reading strings, scanf
automatically stops at whitespace (spaces, newlines, etc.).
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
char name[30]; // Array to store up to 29 characters plus the null terminator
printf("Enter your name: ");
scanf("%s", name); // Read a string
printf("Hello, %s!\n", name); // Output the string
return 0;
}
Explanation:
scanf("%s", name);
reads a string and stores it in thename
array.%s
is used inprintf
to display the string.
Note:
scanf
with%s
reads up to the first whitespace (so it won’t read a full name like "John Doe"). To handle full strings with spaces, you can use functions likefgets
.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
char name[30]; // Array to store up to 29 characters plus the null terminator
printf("Enter your name: ");
fgets(name, 30, stdin); // Read a string
printf("Hello, %s!\n", name); // Output the string
return 0;
}
4.6 Mixed Data Types Input/Output
Here’s an example that combines multiple data types in one program.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int age;
float height;
char initial;
char name[30];
// Get inputs for each data type
printf("Enter your name: ");
scanf("%s", name);
printf("Enter your age: ");
scanf("%d", &age);
printf("Enter your height in meters: ");
scanf("%f", &height);
printf("Enter the first letter of your name: ");
scanf(" %c", &initial);
// Display the inputs
printf("Name: %s\n", name);
printf("Age: %d\n", age);
printf("Height: %.2f meters\n", height);
printf("Initial: %c\n", initial);
return 0;
}
Explanation:
- This example demonstrates how to take multiple inputs for different data types in one program.
- We handle a string, an integer, a floating-point number, and a character, and display them together.
5. Control Structures
5.1 if-else
Condition
Control structures help you control the flow of the program.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int number = 10;
if (number > 0) {
printf("The number is positive.\n");
} else {
printf("The number is negative.\n");
}
return 0;
}
5.2 Loops
Loops allow you to repeat a block of code multiple times.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
printf("%d\n", i); // Prints 1 to 5
}
return 0;
}
6. Functions in C
Functions are blocks of code that perform a specific task. Here’s how you can define and use functions.
#include <stdio.h>
int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}
int main() {
int result = add(5, 3);
printf("Sum: %d\n", result); // Output: Sum: 8
return 0;
}
7. Arrays in C
Arrays store multiple values of the same type in a single variable.
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int numbers[3] = {1, 2, 3}; // Declares an array of integers
printf("First element: %d\n", numbers[0]); // Output: 1
printf("Second element: %d\n", numbers[1]); // Output: 2
printf("Third element: %d\n", numbers[2]); // Output: 3
return 0;
}
8. Debugging Tips for Beginners
Common Errors in C:
- Forgetting
;
at the end of a statement. - Incorrect data types (e.g., using
%d
forfloat
inprintf
). - Mismatched braces or parentheses.
Debugging Tips:
- Break down your code into smaller parts and test frequently.
- Use comments to explain your logic.
- Test your code in small parts, fix errors one by one, and read compiler error messages carefully.
Conclusion
Great job! You’ve now explored the fundamentals of C programming, from working with data types to using control structures and functions. The key to mastering these concepts is consistent practice. Start by tackling simple coding challenges to reinforce your skills, and consider building small projects like a basic calculator or a guessing game. These exercises will help solidify your understanding and prepare you for more advanced programming tasks. Keep coding and have fun learning!