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Lesson 1: What Is Programming?

What is programming? A clear, beginner-friendly introduction to the core concepts of C.

What is programming?

A program is a set of instructions written for a computer. Programming is the act of creating those programs.
Difference from human instructions: A computer executes instructions "exactly" and in the given order. It cannot understand ambiguous instructions. Since we cannot use natural language, we write instructions using a programming language.

Human vs computer — experience the difference

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Programming language — C

In this course we use programming language: C with development environment: Visual Studio.
File-name rule: C language → xxx.c. Not xxx.cpp (that extension is for C++).
C language
Since 1972. OS / embedded systems. Covered in this course.
Python
Popular for AI and data analysis.
Java
Enterprise systems and Android.
JavaScript
Web development. This site uses JS too.

The build / compile flow

A xxx.c file cannot be run as-is; it must be translated, i.e. compiled.
📝 Source code (hello.c)
⚙ Compiler (translates)
📦 Executable (hello.exe)
💻 Run & show result

What if an error occurs?

Compile error
Syntax is wrong — missing semicolon, unclosed bracket, etc.
Runtime error
Wrong result — division by zero, infinite loop, etc.

Try triggering an error

The code below has an error. Fix it and try running it. (Hint: semicolon)
error_demo.c
Output
Click "Run" to execute...
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Related Lessons

Getting Started
Lesson 2: Hello World
Write your first C program and learn the compile and run flow.
Getting Started
Lesson 3: Variables
What are variables in C? Learn int, double, and char with visual diagrams.
Getting Started
Lesson 4: printf & scanf
How to use printf and scanf in C. A complete reference of format specifiers.
Next lesson →
Lesson 2: Hello World

Review Quiz

Check your understanding of this lesson!

Q1. Which is a correct characteristic of the C language?

It is an interpreted language
It is a compiled language
It is a scripting language

C is a compiled language: its source code is translated to machine code by a compiler before execution.

Q2. What is the file extension for a C source file?

.cpp
.c
.java

C source files use the .c extension. .cpp is for C++ and .java is for Java.

Q3. What is the process of translating a program into an executable form called?

Interpreting
Debugging
Compiling

Translating source code into machine code is called "compiling". The software that performs the translation is a "compiler".

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Recommended Books to Deepen Your Understanding

Combine this interactive site with books for more practice.

πŸ“˜
Painfully Learning C
by MMGames
A classic C book for beginners. Builds solid fundamentals with clear explanations.
View on Amazon
πŸ“—
New Clear C Language (Beginner)
by Bohyoh Shibata
Plenty of diagrams and exercises. Widely used as a university textbook.
View on Amazon
πŸ“™
The C Programming Language, 2nd Ed.
by Brian Kernighan & Dennis Ritchie
Known as K&R. The original C book. Ideal after completing the basics.
View on Amazon

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