C Programming from Basics to Advanced

Introduction

• C programming tutorial from start to finish.
• Basics explained with simple examples.

Importance of Programming

• Computers are dumb machines; they do what we tell them without thinking.
• Programming tells the computer how to perform specific tasks.
• Just like we use languages like Hindi, English, Spanish, etc., to express ourselves, we use programming languages to communicate with computers.

Setting Up the Environment

• Use Visual Studio Code for modern IDE setup.
• Setup from C compiler installation to shortcut settings
• Recommended: Visual Studio Code over Turbo C++ (outdated).
• Install mingw for Windows as the C compiler.
• Alternative: Use Code::Blocks.
• Install necessary extensions (e.g., Code Runner) for ease of use.

Basics of C Programming

• Simple Programs: Programs to get acquainted with syntax and structure.
• Comments: Use comments to make notes in your code, ignored by the compiler.
• Data Types: int, float, char, including their sizes and how to use them in variables.
• Operators: Details on arithmetic, relational, logical, bitwise, assignment, and miscellaneous operators.
• Conditional Statements: Use of if, else, and else if for decision making.
• Loops: while, for, and do-while loops for iteration.
• Functions: Declaration, definition, calling functions, and understanding parameter passing.

Detailed Topics

Data Types and Variables

• Integers, floating-point numbers, characters, and more complex types like unsigned and long.
• Variable rules: Must start with a letter or underscore, use proper naming conventions (e.g., camelCase)
• Constants: Use const keyword to define read-only variables.

Input and Output

• printf and scanf functions for output and input respectively.
• Type Casting: Converting one data type to another, e.g., integer to float.
• Example: Dividing integers and outputting results as floats for precision.

Arrays

• Definition and usage of arrays to store sequential collections of elements.
• Using loops to work with arrays, input, and output array values.

Pointers

• Pointers store addresses of variables, basic understanding, and syntax (int* ptr)
• Using pointers for dynamic memory allocation and manipulating variable values directly through memory addresses.
• Null Pointers: Initializing pointers to NULL to indicate they are not pointing to any valid memory address.*

Strings

• Strings in C are arrays of characters ending with a null character (\0).
• String Functions: strcpy, strcat, strcmp, etc., and their usages.

Structures

• Structures provide a way to group different data types together (struct declaration and usage).
• Example: Defining a book with attributes name, author, and price.

Additional Information

• Scope Rules: Local vs Global variables; precedence of local variables over global ones.
• Function Details: Handling parameters, return values, and the concept of 'call by value' vs 'call by reference'.
• Small Challenges: Exercises given such as printing specific data types, and more.

Conclusion

• Practice by writing simple to complex programs, focusing on different aspects like loops, functions, structures, and pointers.
• Continuous learning recommended with additional resources like Dennis Ritchie’s book on C.