Introduction to C Language

Key Questions

• What is language?
• What is computer language?

What is Language?

• Definition: A set of instructions used for communication
  • Examples: English, Hindi
• Communication involves rules (grammar, syntax)

What is Computer Language?

• Definition: A set of instructions or programs used to communicate with a computer
• Purpose: To perform tasks or applications
• Nature: Predefined application or software

Need for Computer Language

• Primary Reason: Communication with machines (computers, electronic devices)
• Complex Operations: Computers handle complex calculations (e.g., factorials) better and faster than humans

Human-Machine Communication

• Method: Machine code (binary language - 0s and 1s)
  • Humans generally cannot write in binary language
• Solution: Use high-level programming languages (C, C++, Java, etc.)

Learning a Programming Language

• Necessary to learn rules and syntax (just like learning to form sentences in a spoken language)
• Example: Simple C program

  • int a = 10;
    int b = 20;
    int c = a + b;
    printf("%d", c);
    

• Source Code: Written in high-level language
• Compiler: Converts source code into machine code (binary)
  • Computer executes the binary code to produce output

Compilation and Execution Process

1. Write Source Code: English-like statements
2. Compile: Convert source code to binary code using a compiler
3. Execution: Machine code executed by the computer to produce results

Interfaces

• Definition: Applications designed by programmers to allow end-users to interact with machines without knowing programming
  • Example: ATM interface
• Roles: Programmers vs. End-Users
  • Programmers: Develop applications (interfaces)
  • End-Users: Interact with applications without needing programming knowledge
• Operating System: Acts as an interface between hardware and user applications

Summary

• Understanding language and computer language is foundational for learning C programming
• The main goal of using computer language is to develop applications to simplify tasks and improve efficiency