c programming.pdf lecture 1 for beginners

This PDF lecture material has been specially designed as a complete beginner’s guide to learning the C programming language. It introduces the subject in a simple, clear, and well-structured way so that students with little or no prior programming background can start their journey in computer science with confidence. The purpose of this material is to make programming accessible, understandable, and engaging by focusing on the core foundations of C, one of the most widely used and time-tested programming languages in the world.

C programming is often called the “mother of all programming languages” because many modern languages such as C++, Java, and Python have their roots in it. It is powerful, efficient, and close to the hardware, making it a perfect starting point for understanding how computers work internally. This PDF provides a beginner-friendly overview of C, ensuring that learners not only write code but also develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The content starts with the very basics—introduction to programming, the history of C, features of the language, and setting up the environment for compiling and running programs. From there, it gradually moves toward fundamental concepts such as data types, variables, constants, operators, and expressions. These form the building blocks of every C program, and the PDF explains them with examples that are easy to follow.

Control structures like decision-making (if, if-else, switch) and looping (for, while, do-while) are explained in detail so that students can understand how to control the flow of their program logically. The material also covers input and output functions, enabling learners to interact with users by reading values and displaying results. Each concept is presented with sample programs, step-by-step explanations, and practice exercises to encourage hands-on learning.

As the material progresses, it introduces more advanced but essential topics such as arrays, strings, functions, pointers, and structures. Arrays and strings teach how to handle collections of data efficiently, while functions help in breaking down big problems into smaller modules. Pointers, one of the most powerful features of C, are explained with diagrams and examples so that beginners can overcome fear and gain clarity. Structures are introduced to help students understand how to organize complex data in real-world applications.

Memory management, file handling, and an overview of dynamic data structures are also included to give learners a complete beginner-level picture of what C can do. The focus is not only on syntax but also on developing an analytical approach to solving problems. Every topic is explained with clear definitions, examples, and illustrations, making it easy for students to grasp the concepts even if they are encountering programming for the first time.

By going through this PDF, students will:

Gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of programming.

1. STATISTICAL COMPUTING USING C &
R PROGRAMMING

2. HISTORY OF C PROGRAMMING
AND
MANAGING INPUT AND OUTPUT
FUCTIONS

3. TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
EVOLUTION OF C PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
FEATURES OF C LANGUAGE
USE OF C PROGRAMMING

4. HISTORY OF C PROGRAMMING
LANGUAGE
*Evolution of C programming language

C has often been termed as a "Pseudo high level language" or a
"Middle level language" by many programmers. This is not because of
its lack of programming power but because of its capability to access
the system's low level functions. In fact C was invented specifically to
implement UNIX. C instructions are compiled to assembly code,
therefore, depending on the complexity of the code and on the
compiler optimization capabilities, C code may run as fast as
assembly.

5. Ken Thompson created the B language in 1969 from Martin
Richard's BCPL (Basic Combined Programming Language). He
used assembly language and B to produce the initial versions of
the UNIX operating system.

BCPL and B were typeless languages in which variables were
simply words in memory. Dennis Ritchie of Bell Laboratories later
converted B into C by retaining most of B's syntax in 1972 and
wrote the first compiler. This was implemented on DEC's PDP 11
and it was first used as the system's language for rewriting the UNIX
operating system. Later on, UNIX, its tools and C grew
simultaneously.

6. In 1978, Kernighan and Ritchie wrote a book entitled 'The C
Programming Language' that became the language
definition for almost a decade.

Beginning in 1983, the ANSI X3J11 committee was asked to
standardize the C language. The result was ANSI C, a standard
which was adopted in 1988. It is not forced upon any
programmer, but since it is so widely accepted, it would be
economically unwise for any systems programmer or compiler
writer not to conform to the standard.

7. *Features of C Language
C is a procedure-based programming language. This means
the program is viewed as a means to solve a problem. Various
functions modules or code blocks are thus, written to solve this
problem.
 C functions can accept parameters and return values and
perform variety of tasks like input from the user, displaying the
information, etc.
 C is simple and easy to learn and use. The main components
like bulletin functions, operators, keywords are small in number.
 In C, errors are checked only at compile time. The compiled
code though have no safety checks for bad type casts, bad
array indices, or bad pointers.

8. C works best for small projects where performance is
important.
C is highly portable. C programs written on one
computer can run on other computer without making
any changes in the program.

9. *Uses of C
Uses of C are many in addition to Systems programming.
Some of which are as follows :
 Language compilers and interpreters
 Device drivers
 Telecom applications
 Network programming
 Digital Signal processing applications
 Database applications
 Text editors

10. THANK YOU