Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    C Programming For Dummies
    C Programming For Dummies
    C Programming For Dummies
    Ebook668 pages5 hours

    C Programming For Dummies

    By Dan Gookin

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Get an A grade in C

    As with any major language, mastery of C can take you to some very interesting new places. Almost 50 years after it first appeared, it's still the world's most popular programming language and is used as the basis of global industry's core systems, including operating systems, high-performance graphics applications, and microcontrollers. This means that fluent C users are in big demand at the sharp end in cutting-edge industries—such as gaming, app development, telecommunications, engineering, and even animation—to translate innovative ideas into a smoothly functioning reality.

    To help you get to where you want to go with C, this 2nd edition of C Programming For Dummies covers everything you need to begin writing programs, guiding you logically through the development cycle: from initial design and testing to deployment and live iteration. By the end you'll be au fait with the do's and don'ts of good clean writing and easily able to produce the basic—and not-so-basic—building blocks of an elegant and efficient source code.

    • Write and compile source code
    • Link code to create the executable program
    • Debug and optimize your code
    • Avoid common mistakes

    Whatever your destination: tech industry, start-up, or just developing for pleasure at home, this easy-to-follow, informative, and entertaining guide to the C programming language is the fastest and friendliest way to get there!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWiley
    Release dateSep 30, 2020
    ISBN9781119740261
    C Programming For Dummies
    Author

    Dan Gookin

    Dan Gookin is an author with over 30 years experience explaining complex topics in an informative and entertaining manner. His most famous work is DOS For Dummies, which established the entire For Dummies brand. In addition to writing books, Dan delivers online training for LinkedIn Learning, has his own informative YouTube channel, and serves on the city council in Coeur d’Alene Idaho.

    Read more from Dan Gookin

    Related to C Programming For Dummies

    Related ebooks

    Programming For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Why Python?

      Apr 7, 2020

      Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language that was first released in 1991 by its creator, Guido van Rossum. Very similar in programming construct to how BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Sybollic Instruction Code) was used

      1 min read

    • Article

      Problems Solved

      Jul 31, 2024

      Email us your problem and we’ll try to help: noproblem@computeractive.co.uk Q We got rid of Virgin TV because it was expensive, and the TiVo box that came with it was difficult to use. We still have a Virgin phone line, but we get our internet throug

      11 min read

    • Article

      Mail Server

      Jun 1, 2021

      In response to Jack Kendrick, in issue 275 “Pyconfusion”, this attitude is something that bugs me, especially with Windows users who bash Linux, just because you have to sometimes use some grey matter to use it. I see it all the time on forums and Fa

      3 min read

    • Article

      Micro:bit Part 2 – Coding Using Your Phone Or Tablet

      Sep 6, 2021

      The micro:bit single-board computer is one of the best low-cost ways to help kids young and old learn the basics of computer science. With its fun mix of built-in sensors and processor powerful enough to handle the Python coding language, it gets com

      4 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Jul 28, 2021

      Maybe I’m too gullible, but I believed Microsoft when it said Windows 10 would be the final ever version of Windows. It was one of the reasons I bought a new computer with Windows 10 on it. This was back in 2019. Up to that point I had somehow manage

      5 min read

    • Article

      Lag Is Killing Games

      Jan 11, 2022

      Lag Is Killing Games
      8 min read

    • Article

      Readers’ Tips

      Apr 24, 2024

      Email us your tips: letters@computeractive.co.uk I agree with calls for Amazon to state which country products are made in, so we can avoid buying from those places if we so wished (Issue 681, page 7). One site that can help is ProductFrom (www.produ

      5 min read

    • Article

      Building A Web-based Robot Control Interface

      Apr 4, 2023

      Credit: https://anvil.works Part Five! Don’t miss next issue, subscribe on page 16! Les Pounder is associate editor at Tom’s Hardware and a freelance maker. He blogs about hacks and makes at http://bigl.es. All of the code for this project, circuit

      9 min read

    • Article

      Problems Solved

      Nov 3, 2021

      Problems Solved
      10 min read

    • Article

      Hi-fidelity Kodi

      Jul 19, 2022

      Hi-fidelity Kodi
      5 min read

    • Article

      Sino:bit

      Mar 24, 2024

      Sino:bit
      2 min read

    • Article

      A.i. Coding

      Aug 22, 2023

      A.i. Coding
      16 min read

    • Article

      Make Your Home As Smart As Possible

      Mar 8, 2022

      HOME ASSISTANT Credit: www.home-assistant.io Part One Don’t miss next issue! Subscribe on page 16 Matt Holder has been a fan of the open source methodology for over two decades and uses Linux and other tools where possible. A huge number of smart hom

      11 min read

    • Article

      Make Your Home As Smart As Possible

      Mar 8, 2022

      HOME ASSISTANT Credit: www.home-assistant.io Part One Don’t miss next issue! Subscribe on page 16 Matt Holder has been a fan of the open source methodology for over two decades and uses Linux and other tools where possible. A huge number of smart hom

      11 min read

    • Article

      Hi-fidelity Kodi

      Dec 14, 2021

      Hi-fidelity Kodi
      4 min read

    • Article

      10 Amazing AI Tools

      Jul 6, 2023

      10 Amazing AI Tools
      9 min read

    • Article

      Readers’ Comments

      Jul 9, 2022

      Readers’ Comments
      4 min read

    • Article

      Creating Flutter apps

      Aug 22, 2023

      Credit: https://flutterawesome.com/calculator-create-with-flutter/ David Bolton has been programming Flutter apps for a couple of years but this is the first time he’s done Flutter development on Linux. The Flutter plugin includes tools for insertin

      9 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      May 11, 2022

      I’d like to ask Computeractive a question: why are you so obsessed with Windows 11? Every other news story you publish seems to be about new tools added to it, and yet interest in the operating system seems lukewarm at best. It makes me wonder whethe

      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for C Programming For Dummies

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      C Programming For Dummies - Dan Gookin

      Introduction

      When I was in school, I'd open a new math textbook and look in the back, marveling at the problems. Someday, I thought, I would understand all this nonsense.

      You should do that with this book right now: Open it up to one of the final chapters. Look over the C programming code and think to yourself, Someday soon, this will all make perfect sense to me.

      Say Hello, world to C Programming For Dummies, 2nd Edition, the book that sets you on the path to become a computer programmer. Once despised vermin, banished to basement server rooms and suffering from a lack of personal hygiene, programmers are now valued and contributing members of society. Some are billionaires. And they all started their careers by learning to program.

      The C language lets you master a number of electronic gizmos. You can craft your own programs, dictating your every whim and desire to computers, tablets, and cell phones. The electronics dutifully obey. Given the information offered in this book, you can pass that programming class, impress your friends, be admired by Hollywood, or even start your own software company. Truly, learning to program is a worthy investment of your time.

      This book helps make learning how to program understandable and enjoyable. You don’t need any programming experience — you don’t even need to buy new software. You just need the desire to program in C and the ability to have fun while doing so.

      Why the C Language?

      An argument surfaces every few years that learning C is a road to nowhere. Newer, better programming languages exist, and it’s far better to learn them than to waste time learning C.

      Poppycock.

      C continues to dominate the charts for best and most useful programming languages, often beating out the newer languages the cool programmers use. Further, C is like the Latin of computer languages: Just about every Johnny-come-lately programming language uses C syntax. C keywords and even certain functions find their way into other popular languages, from C++ to Java to Python to whatever the latest, trendy language might be.

      My point is that once you learn C programming, all those other programming languages come easy. In fact, many of the books that teach those other languages often assume that you know a little C before you start out. This assumption is frustrating for a beginner — but not when you already know C.

      So ignore the lofty pundits and know-it-all poohbahs. C is still relevant. Programming for microcontrollers, operating systems, and major software packages is still done using good ol’ C. You are not wasting your time.

      The C Programming For Dummies Approach

      As a programmer, I’ve toiled through many programming books. I know what I really don’t like to see, and, lamentably, I see it often — that is, where the author writes pages-long code or boasts about what he knows, impressing his fellow nerds and not really teaching anything. Too much of this type of training exists, which is probably why you’ve picked up this book.

      My approach here is simple: Short programs. To-the-point demonstrations. Lots of examples. Plenty of exercises.

      The best way to learn something is by doing it. Each concept presented in this book is coupled with sample code. The listings are short enough that you can quickly type them in — and I recommend that you do so. You can then build and run the code to see how things work. This immediate feedback is not only gratifying, it’s also a marvelous learning tool.

      Sample programs are followed by exercises you can try on your own, testing your skills and expanding your knowledge. Suggested answers to the exercises and all the source code can be found on this book’s companion website:

      https://c-for-dummies.com/cprog

      How This Book Works

      This book teaches the C programming language. It starts out by assuming that you know little to nothing about programming, and it finishes by covering some of the more advanced C operations.

      To program in C, you need a computer. This book makes no assumptions about the computer you select: It can be a Windows PC, a Macintosh, or a Linux system. You can choose to use an integrated development environment (IDE) such as Code::Blocks, or you can compile and run the sample programs at a command prompt.

      This book also wastes no time, getting you started immediately in Chapter 1. Nothing is introduced without a full explanation first. Due to the nature of programming, I’ve made a few exceptions; they’re carefully noted in the text. Otherwise, the book flows from front to back, which is how best to read this book.

      C language keywords and functions are shown in italic text, as in printf() and break. Some keywords, such as for and if, may make the sentence read in a goofy way, which is why those words are shown in italic.

      Filenames and variable names are shown in monofont type, such as program.exe and loop.

      If you need to type something, that text is shown in bold. For example, "Type the blorfus command" means that you should type blorfus at the keyboard. You're directed when to press the Enter key, if at all.

      When working numbered steps, text to type appears in regular (roman) type:

      Type exit and press the Enter key.

      You type the word exit and then press the Enter key.

      Program samples are shown as snippets on the page, similar to this one:

      if( i == 1)

          printf(eye won);

      You don’t need to type an example unless you’re directed to do so.

      Full program listings are shown and numbered in each chapter; for example:

      LISTING 1-1 The Code::Blocks Skeleton

      #include

      #include

      int main()

      {

          printf(Hello world!\n);

          return(0);

      }

      Because of this book’s margins, text in a listing may occasionally wrap, extending from one line to the next. You do not need to split up your code in a similar manner, and I remind you whenever such a thing occurs.

      The listings in this book don’t contain line numbers, but your text editor might. This book references the sample code listings by using the line numbers, which you can also use in your editor to examine the code.

      Exercises are numbered by chapter and then sequentially. So the third exercise in Chapter 13 is Exercise 13-3. You’re directed in the text to work an exercise. Here’s an example:

      Exercise 1-1: Type the source code from Listing 1-1 into your editor. Save it under the filename ex0101.c. Build and run.

      Answers for all exercises can be found on the web:

      https://c-for-dummies.com/cprog

      Go to this web page if you want to copy-and-paste the source code as well.

      Icons Used in This Book

      Remember This icon flags information worthy enough to remember. Though I recommend remembering as much as you can, these icons flag the stuff you just can’t forget.

      Tip A tip is a suggestion, a special trick, or something super fancy to help you out.

      Warning This icon marks something you need to avoid. It’s advice that could also be flagged with a Tip or Remember icon but has dire consequences if ignored.

      Technical stuff Face it: All of programming is technical. I reserve the use of this icon for extra-technical tidbits, asides, and anecdotes. Call it nerd stuff.

      Parting Thoughts

      I enjoy programming. It’s a hobby, and I find it incredibly relaxing, frustrating, and rewarding. I assume that you share these feelings, though you may also be a struggling student or someone who wants a career. Regardless, enjoy programming. If you can imagine the program you want to write on a screen, you can make it happen. It may not happen as fast as you like, but it can happen.

      Please work the exercises in this book. Try some on your own, variations on a theme. Continue working at problems until you solve them. The amazing thing about programming is that no single, absolutely correct way to do something exists. Anytime you try, you’re learning.

      If possible, find a programming friend who can help you. Don’t make them do the work or explain how things run, but rely on them as a resource. Programming can be a solo thing, but it’s good to occasionally commiserate with others who also program in C — or in any language.

      This book has a few companion websites. The primary one is found here:

      https://c-for-dummies.com/cprog

      You can also check out my C programming blog, which is updated every Saturday with new lessons and offers a monthly Exercise challenge:

      https://c-for-dummies.com/blog

      The publisher also features a companion website, which I’m obliged to mention here, though it’s not updated as frequently as my own site. Visit www.dummies.com and type C programming into the search box to find this book’s support page and other goodies.

      For more help, or just to say hi, you can send me email at

      dan@c-for-dummies.com

      I’m happy to hear from you, though I won’t write code for you. I also cannot explain university assignments. (I don’t do B-trees. No one does.) And if you have any questions specific to this book — especially any errors or typos — feel free to pass them along.

      Enjoy your C programming!

      Part 1

      The ABs of C

      IN THIS PART …

      Get started with C coding

      Work through your very first program

      Learn how programming works

      Discover the parts of the C language

      Craft a basic C skeleton

      Chapter 1

      A Quick Start for the Impatient

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      check Reviewing software requirements

      check Programming at the command prompt

      check Using an IDE

      check Creating a command prompt program

      check Working in Code::Blocks

      check Compiling a program

      You’re most likely eager to get started programming in C. I shan’t waste your time.

      Tip If you already have a compiler or an IDE set up and are ready to go, skip to Chapter 2.

      What You Need to Program

      The two most important things you need to begin your programming adventure are

      A computer

      Access to the Internet

      The computer is your primary tool for writing and compiling code. Yes, even if you’re writing a game for the Xbox, you need a computer to be able to code. The computer can be a PC or a Macintosh. The PC can run Windows or Linux.

      Internet access is necessary to obtain the programming software. You need a text editor to write the code and a compiler to translate the code into a program. The compiler generally comes with other tools you need, such as a linker and a debugger. All these tools are found at no cost on the Internet.

      The software tools offer two approaches to programming: command line and IDE.

      If you want to learn C programming as I did back in the dark ages, you use a terminal window and traditional command-line tools: editor, compiler, and linker. The process is fast, but complicated because you’re using text mode commands. Still, it offers a spiritual connection with those who built the foundations upon which the computer industry roosts.

      The most common way to craft code, however, is to obtain an integrated development environment — called an IDE by the cool kids. It combines all the tools you need for programming into one compact, terrifying, and intimidating unit.

      Don’t freak! The terms compiler, linker, debugger, and terrifying are all defined in Chapter 2.

      Command Prompt Programming

      To re-create the environment where the C language was born, use a Unix or Linux terminal window running a shell program such as bash. This environment is available to all major computing platforms, and the programming tools used are reliable and well-documented. Programming at the command prompt earns you a nerd merit badge and the admiration of your peers.

      For Windows 10, open the Microsoft Store app and install Ubuntu, a free Linux shell. Ensure that you follow the directions to install the Windows Subsystem for Linux, which is an extra step you’ll probably miss.

      For Linux, you’re ready to go: Open a terminal window to access the shell.

      For Mac OS X, use the Terminal app. I also recommend obtaining the Homebrew package manager. Visit https://brew.sh for directions. Homebrew allows you to install programming tools not available to OS X.

      For an editor, you can use any text mode editor available at the command prompt, such as vi or emacs. You can also mix it up and use a window-based editor. I’m fond of using the Windows version of the VIM editor while I simultaneously work at the command prompt in an Ubuntu terminal window.

      A C compiler comes native to a Unix/Linux command prompt. The standard version is cc or gcc, but I recommend that you use the shell’s package manager to acquire the LLVM clang compiler. In Ubuntu Linux for Windows 10, type this command to install clang:

      sudo apt-get install clang

      Type your account password to initiate the process. To verify the installation, type

      clang --version

      Various Linux distros offer similar package managers, which you can use to obtain an editor and the clang compiler.

      The VIM editor can be obtained from vim.org.

      Remember Your choice to use the command prompt means you’re taking on an extra layer of complexity when it comes to programming. I find it fast and enjoyable, but if you believe it to be too much, especially when first learning the C language, rely instead upon an IDE, as covered in the next section.

      IDE Programming

      Plenty of programming IDEs are available for your C coding pleasure. On the Mac, use Xcode, which you can install from the App Store. For Windows and Linux, I recommend obtaining the Code::Blocks IDE, which is found at codeblocks.org. You can choose any other IDE you prefer, but Code::Blocks for Windows is fairly stable and comes with everything you need — providing that you install the correct version.

      Installing Code::Blocks

      The Code::Blocks website will doubtless be altered over time, so follow these general steps to install the IDE and confirm that the C compiler is accessible:

      On the main Code::Blocks website page, click the Downloads link.

      Click the binary release link.

      The binary release means you’re installing a runnable program, not source code or something equally strange.

      Choose the proper installation program for your computer’s operating system.

      For Windows 10, I recommend that you choose the installation with the text mingw-setup appended. For example:

      codeblocks-20.03mingw-setup.exe

      The 20.03 part of the filename is the release number, which will change in the future. The mingw-setup choice means you're downloading both the IDE and the MinGW compiler.

      Tip For Linux, click the link to install the proper version for your distro, but keep in mind that Code::Blocks might be more easily acquired by using the Linux GUI package/software manager.

      Open the downloaded archive to extract the Code::Blocks IDE installer.

      In Windows, you see a User Account Control warning when you open the archive. Click Yes to proceed with installation.

      Run the installation program.

      Perform a default installation; you need not customize anything.

      Choose to run Code:Blocks: Click the Yes button.

      Code::Blocks appears, showing its splash screen. Don’t start coding now. Instead, confirm the compiler’s installation:

      Choose Settings, Compiler.

      The Compiler Settings dialog box appears.

      With Global Compiler Settings chosen on the left, click the Toolchain Executables tab on the right side of the dialog box.

      Ensure that the Compiler’s Installation Directory text box is filled.

      In a default confirmation, the following pathname is listed:

      C:\Program Files (x86)\CodeBlocks\MinGW

      If the text box is blank, use the Browse button (three dots to the right of the text box) to locate the MinGW installation directory.

      Confirm that gcc.exe is set in the Compiler text box.

      If not, click the Browse button (three dots) to locate the gcc.exe program, installed in the MinGW\bin directory by default.

      Close the Compiler Settings dialog box; click OK.

      Installation is complete. I recommend you close the Code::Blocks window. Finish the installation program as well.

      Touring the Code::Blocks workspace

      Figure 1-1 illustrates the Code::Blocks workspace, which is the official name of the massive mosaic of windows and toolbars you see arranged on the screen.

      Screenshot of a window displaying the Code::Blocks workspace, which is the official name of the massive mosaic of windows and toolbars arranged on the screen.

      FIGURE 1-1: The Code::Blocks workspace.

      On your computer, as well as in Figure 1-1, locate the following parts of the workspace:

      Toolbars: These messy strips, adorned with various command buttons, cling to the top of the Code::Blocks window. The toolbars can be rearranged or hidden, so don't mess with them until you get comfy with the interface.

      Management: The pane on the left side of the workspace features four tabs, though you may not see all four at one time. The window provides a handy oversight of your programming endeavors.

      Status bar: At the bottom of the screen, you see information about the project, editor, and other activities that take place in Code::Blocks.

      Editor: The big window in the center-right area of the screen is where you type code.

      Logs: The bottom of the screen features a window with many, many tabs displaying various tidbits about the programming process. The tab used most often is named Build Log.

      The View menu controls the visibility of every item displayed in the window. Choose the pane name, such as Manager, from the View menu to show or hide that item. Control toolbars by using the View, Toolbars submenu.

      Tip Maximize the Code::Blocks program window so that it fills the screen. You need all that real estate.

      In addition to color-coding your text, the Code::Blocks editor offers an autocomplete feature. Items that must be typed in pairs, such as quotes, parentheses, and so on, are generated automatically for you. Certain C language keywords and functions are presented automatically, along with hints for their arguments and options.

      The editor features a tabbed interface, which lets you work on multiple source code files at one time.

      Your First Program

      The traditional first program written for any programming language is called Hello World. It’s boring, like all traditions.

      Listing 1-1 shows the Hello World source code as presented in Code::Blocks. This code is generated by default whenever you start a new Code::Blocks project.

      LISTING 1-1 The Code::Blocks Skeleton

      #include

      #include

      int main()

      {

          printf(Hello world!\n);

          return 0;

      }

      The programming process works the same whether you use the command prompt or an IDE:

      Use an editor to write the source code.

      Compile and link the source code into a program.

      Run the program to see whether it works.

      Chapter 2 goes over these steps in detail, but I assume you’re in a rush. The following sections cover the specifics for the command prompt and IDE environments.

      Coding at the command prompt

      Use your text editor to create a new file and type in the text presented in Listing 1-1. This code, like all source code in this book, is available on the companion website: https://c-for-dummies.com/cprog.

      Save the source code file as ex0101.c. The filename must end in .c (dot C) to be recognized as a C source code file by the compiler.

      Compile and link, or build, the source code into a program file in a Unix terminal window, such as the Ubuntu bash shell in Windows 10. Type the following command in the same folder/directory where the source code file is saved:

      clang -Wall ex0101.c

      The name of the compiler program is clang. The -Wall argument activates all warning messages. The final argument is the name of the source code file, ex0101.c, in this example.

      Upon success, you see no output. If you see warnings or error messages, you probably mistyped the source code. Try again: re-edit and compile.

      To run the program, type the default program filename a.out. In a terminal window, the program name must be prefixed by ./ (dot slash) to direct the command interpreter to look in the current directory:

      ./a.out

      You see the message Hello, world! output in the terminal window. Now skim to Chapter 2 to discover what just happened.

      Building a new Code::Blocks project

      Two approaches can be used in Code::Blocks to build the sample code shown in this book: You can build a project for each exercise or you can use an empty file to write the code.

      Create a project

      For a project, follow these steps:

      Choose File, New, Project.

      Choose Console Application and then click the Go button.

      Select C as the programming language and then click the Next button.

      C is quite different from C++ — you can do things in one language that aren't allowed in the other.

      Type a project title.

      The code exercises in this book follow a naming pattern you can use for the project title: ex followed by a 2-digit chapter number and 2-digit sequential number. For the sample code presented in Listing 1-1, the project title is ex0101.

      When you set the project title, the project’s filename is automatically filled in.

      Click the … (Browse) button to the right of the text box titled Folder to Create Project In.

      I recommend that you create and use a special folder for all projects in this book. Once the location is set, you can skip this step in the future.

      Click the Next button.

      The next screen (the final one) allows you to select a compiler and choose whether to create Debug or Release versions of your code, or both.

      The compiler selection is fine; the GNU GCC Compiler (or whatever is shown in the window) is the one you want.

      Remove the check mark by Create Debug Configuration.

      You create this configuration only when you need to debug, or fix, a programming predicament that puzzles you. See Chapter 25.

      Click the Finish button.

      Code::Blocks builds a skeleton of your project, which is the same code shown in Listing 1-1. Skim to the later section Building and running.

      Create an empty file

      A less complicated method for working with this book’s exercises is to type the source code into an empty project file. Obey these steps in the Code::Blocks IDE:

      Choose File, New, Empty File.

      Type the source code into the editor.

      You can also copy-and-paste the source code from the companion website into the editor. Refer to the introduction for details on the companion website.

      Tip If you’d prefer to see the editor color-code your text, save the file! Press Ctrl+S and choose the folder where you plan to keep all this book’s programming projects. Name the file according to this book’s convention: ex followed by a 2-digit chapter number and 2-digit project number. End the filename in .c (dot C) to identify it as a C source code file.

      Save the source code file.

      If the file is already saved, press Ctrl+S. Otherwise, follow the naming convention listed under Step 2.

      After the empty file is created, you can build and run the program just as you would had you run through the bothersome technique of starting a Code::Blocks project.

      Tip You can also open the source code file directly in Code::Blocks, if you’ve obtained it from the companion website: Use the Open command to open the file. At this point, you can build and run, modify the code, or do whatever your heart pleases.

      Building and running

      In Code::Blocks, the process of compiling and linking C language source code is accomplished in one step called Build.

      Image of the Build button icon present on the toolbar that is clicked to build a project. To build the project, click the Build button on the toolbar, as shown in the margin and illustrated in Figure 1-1. Any compiler warnings or errors appear on the Build Log tab at the bottom of the window. For Listing 1-1, no warnings or errors should be generated, providing the code is input exactly.

      Image of the Run button icon that is played to test-run a program. To test-run the program, click the Run button, shown in the margin and illustrated in Figure 1-1. Output appears in a terminal window, as shown in Figure 1-2.

      Screenshot of a terminal window displaying the output of a program that has been test-run.

      FIGURE 1-2: Program output.

      Press the Enter key to close the output window. In Linux, you must type the exit command to close the window.

      Image of the Build and Run button icon that is clicked when both build and run steps are combined. Both build and run steps are combined when you click the Build and Run button, shown in the margin.

      When you’re done with a project, or even after you’ve changed a minor thing, save it. Save the source code file, but also save the project if one was created: Choose File, Save Everything to save both the source code and project files.

      Commands for building and running the code are also found on the Build menu.

      The keyboard shortcuts for Build, Run, and Build and Run are Ctrl+F9, Ctrl+F10, and F9, respectively. No need to memorize those shortcuts; they’re listed on the menu.

      Tip C LIBRARY DOCUMENTATION

      You can view documentation for the various C library functions in two ways.

      First, in a terminal window, use the man program to look up function definitions. For example, type man printf to read about the printf() function. This documentation is referred to as the man pages, where man is short for manual.

      The man program also documents shell commands. Occasionally, a shell command shares the name of a C language function, such as stat. To ensure that you’re viewing the proper man page, use the page argument to specify either page 2 or page 3, where most of the C language functions are found. For example:

      man stat — view the man page on the stat shell command.

      man 2 stat — view the man page for the C language stat() function.

      If you’re not using a Unix-like shell to program, man page documentation is found on the Internet. I recommend these pages:

      http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/dir_section_2.html

      http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/dir_section_3.html

      Technical Stuff The program output appears in the top part of the command prompt window (refer to Figure 1-2). The last two lines are generated by the IDE when the program is run. The text shows a value returned from the program to the operating system, a zero, and how long the program took to run (0.005 seconds).

      Chapter 2

      The Programming Thing

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      check Understanding programming history

      check Reviewing the programming processes

      check Creating source code

      check Building a program

      check Testing the final program

      It’s called programming, though the cool kids know it as coding — the process whereby a human being writes information resembling cryptic English that is then somehow translated into directions for an electronic gizmo. In the end, this silent and solitary art grants individuals the power to control electronics. It’s a big deal. It’s the programming thing.

      The History of Programming

      Few books written about programming get away with not describing the thrill-a-minute drama of programming history. As a programmer myself, it’s difficult not to write about it, let alone contain my enthusiasm at cocktail parties. So consider this section optional reading, though a review of where programming has been and where it is today may help you better understand the art form.

      In a nutshell, programming is the process of telling a gizmo what to do. That gizmo is hardware; the program is software.

      Reviewing early programming history

      The first known machine to be programmed was Charles Babbage’s analytical engine, back in 1822. The programming took place by physically changing the values represented by a column of gears. The engine computed the result of some dull, complex mathematical equation.

      In the 1940s, early electronic computers were programmed in a similar manner to Babbage’s analytical engine. A major difference was that, rather than rearrange physical gears, instructions were hard-wired directly into electric circuitry. Programming pretty much meant rewiring.

      Over time, the rewiring job was replaced by rows of switches. Computer instructions were input by throwing switches in a certain way.

      Professor John von Neumann pioneered the modern method of computer programming in the 1950s. He introduced decision making into the process, where computers could make if-then choices. Professor von Neumann also developed the concept of the repeating loop and the subroutine.

      It was Admiral Grace Hopper who developed the compiler, or a program that creates other programs. Her compiler would take words and phrases in English and translate them into computer code. Thus, the programming language was born.

      The first significant programming language was FORTRAN, born in the 1950s. Its name came from formula translator. Other programming languages of the period were COBOL, Algol, Pascal, and BASIC.

      Remember Regardless of the form, whether it’s rewiring circuits, flipping switches, or writing a programming language, the result is the same: telling hardware to do something.

      Introducing the C language

      The C language was developed in 1972 at AT&T Bell Labs by Dennis Ritchie. It combined features from the B and BCPL programming languages but also mixed in a bit of the Pascal language. Mr. Ritchie, along with Brian Kernighan, used C to create the Unix operating system. A C compiler has been part of that operating system ever since.

      In the early 1980s, Bjarne Stoustroup used C as the basis of the object-oriented C++ programming language. The ++ (plus-plus) part of the name is kind of an in-joke, which you’ll understand better after reading Chapter 11. Mr. Stoustroup intended C++ to be the successor to C. In many ways it is, yet C remains one of the most popular programming languages.

      The B programming language, upon which C is based, was named after the B in Bell Labs.

      BCPL stands for Basic Combined Programming Language.

      The C++ programming language is quite similar to C, but it’s not merely an extension or an add-on. It’s easier to learn C++ when you know C, but it’s not easy to switch between the languages.

      A D programming language exists. Developed in the early 2000s, it’s not as popular today as other current languages, such as Python and Java.

      Unfortunately, I have no idea how to pronounce Bjarne Stoustroup.

      The Programming Process

      No matter which language you use, certain procedures are common to the programming process. In this manner, learning to program is like learning to cook: You must take things in a certain order, whether the result is crème brûlée or a smoldering pile of egg glop.

      Understanding programming

      The goal of programming is to create a program. The language is C, and the tools are the editor, compiler, and linker — or an IDE, which combines everything. The result is a program that directs the hardware to do something. That hardware can be a computer, tablet, phone, microcontroller, or whatever.

      Step-by-step, the programming process works like this:

      Write the source code.

      Compile and link, or build, the source code into a program.

      Run and test the program.

      A human (you) writes source code. The source

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1