A Guide to Writing a Simple Program in C

When starting to learn programming, writing a simple program in C is a great way to begin understanding the basics of coding. C is a powerful and efficient programming language that serves as the foundation for many other languages. Follow this guide to take your first steps in writing a program in C.

Setting Up Your Development Environment

Before writing any program, you need to set up your development environment. Install a C compiler such as GCC, which will allow you to write and compile your C programs. You can use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Code::Blocks or simply a text editor like Visual Studio Code.

Writing Your First Program

Let’s start by writing a simple program that displays ‘Hello, World!’ on the screen. Open your text editor and type the following code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
   printf("Hello, World!\n");
   return 0;
}

Save this file with a .c extension, for example, hello.c.

Compiling and Running the Program

Open your command prompt or terminal and navigate to the directory where you saved hello.c. Compile the program by running the following command:

gcc hello.c -o hello

This command will compile your program and create an executable file named ‘hello’ in the same directory. Run the program by typing:

./hello

You should see ‘Hello, World!’ displayed on your screen. Congratulations! You’ve written and run your first C program.

Expanding Your Knowledge

Now that you’ve written a simple program in C, continue exploring the language. Learn about variables, loops, functions, and more advanced concepts to enhance your programming skills. Practice regularly to become proficient in C programming.

Writing a simple program in C is an exciting first step in your programming journey. With dedication and practice, you can master the art of coding in C and beyond.