C Programming

Current Version: 02-0301-0501

Summary

This course provides programmers with a hands-on introduction to the C programming language. The course teaches both syntax and semantics of the C language. It also includes advice on good programming practices.

Prerequisites

Participants should be familiar with one or more programming languages or have attended an Introduction to Programming course. This course is not suitable for people without programming experience.

Course Objectives

On completion of this course, the student should be able to

Use the syntax, semantics, and scoping of ANSI C
Write ANSI C programs using many features of the language
Use some of the ANSI C libraries
Describe the C compilation process
Write programs using dynamic data structures and recursion
Recognize the advantages of multi-file programs

Length

5 Days

Format

Instructor-led course, with practical computer-based exercises.

Course Outline

An Introduction to C
- An Example
- The Compilation Process
- White Space and Comments
- Functions
- Constant Strings
- Libraries
- printf()
- Simple Statements
- Compound Statements
- Fundamental Types
- Defining Variables
- Identifiers
- Operators
  - Operators vs. Expressions
- The if Statement
- The while Statement
- The for Statement
- Character Handling
- The Preprocessor
- Standard Input/Output Library
- getchar() and putchar()
Data Types and Constants
- Data Types
  - Numeric and Character Types
  - Sizes of Data Types
  - Constant and Volatile Objects
- Constants
  - Integer Constants
  - Floating-point Constants
  - Character Constants
Functions
- What is a Function?
- Function Prototypes
- The exit function
- Function Parameters
- Call By Value
- Return Values
- The void Type
- Writing Functions in Pre-ANSI C
Declarations
- Declaring Variables
- Scope
  - Internal Variables
  - Parameters to Functions
  - External Variables
  - Masking
  - Scope of Functions
- Extent
  - Extent of Externals
  - Automatic Variables
  - Internal Static Variables
  - Internal Static Variables – Example
- Initialization
Recursion
- What is Recursion?
- Why Recursion? (What does it all mean?)
- Example
Evaluating Expressions
- Truth Values
  - Precedence
  - Associativity
  - Table of Operators
- Operand Evaluation
  - Compile-Time vs. Run-Time Precedence
More Operators
- Boolean Operators
  - Order of Evaluation
- The Comma Operator
- The Conditional Operator
Assignment
- The Simple Assignment Operator
- Compound Assignment Operators
- Use of Assignment in Expressions
Further Flow Control
- The do-while Loop
- The Null Statement
  - A Caution About do...while()
- Continue
- Break
- Goto
- Switch
Pointers
- Pointer Concepts
- Defining Pointers
- Pointer Operators
- Pointers As Function Parameters
- Pointers As Return Values
Pointers
- Defining Arrays
- Using Arrays
- Initializing Arrays
- Multidimensional Arrays
- Strings
  - Processing Strings
- Arrays and Pointers
- Arrays as Function Parameters
- String Handling
- Library Function: gets()
- Some Library String Functions
- Pointers to Constants
Pointers Revisited
- Pointer Arithmetic
- Incrementing And Decrementing Pointers
- String Handling
- Pointers To Functions
  - Pointers to Functions – Example
- Handling Complex Declarations
- Handling Complex Declarations
  - Declaration Procedure
  - The Right Left Rule
Structures
- Structure Declaration
  - Name Spaces
- Structure Members
- Structure Initialization
- Operations on Structures
Building New Data Types
- Data Abstraction – typedef
- Towards Complexity – One Step at a Time
- Typedef and Structures
Dynamic Data Structures
- Self Referential Structures
- Linked Lists
- Dynamic Memory Allocation
Multi File Programs
- Issues in Multi File Programs
- Variables — extern and static
Bit Twiddling
- Introduction
- Bit Twiddling Operations
  - Setting and Unsetting Bits
  - Bit Shifting
- Portable Bit Manipulation
- Printing Bit Representations
- Example — Bit Manipulation
Additional Data Types
- Enumerated Data Types
- Bit Fields
- Unions
The Preprocessor
- Introduction
- #define
- #ifdef and #ifndef
- #if
The Standard Libraries STDIO And Others
- The Concept of a FILE
- Character Handling Routines
- Line and Record Handling Routines
- Formatting Routines
- Positioning Routines
- The ANSI Libraries
Program Arguments
- Invoking Programs
- Parameters to main()
- Processing argc and argv
ANSI C Coding Guidelines
- Introduction
- Programming vs. Program Design
  - Suggestions Related To Overall Design
- Specific Coding Guidelines
  - Comments
  - Coding For Readability
  - Indentation
  - Brackets
  - Well-Chosen Identifier Names
  - Syntactical Forms To Be Avoided

Hardware and Software Requirements

An ANSI C compiler running on any platform.

Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /var/www/datadeliverance/inc/trademarks.inc on line 3

Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /var/www/datadeliverance/inc/trademarks.inc on line 4

Notice: Undefined variable: REMOTE_USER in /var/www/datadeliverance/inc/trademarks.inc on line 7

Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /var/www/datadeliverance/inc/trademarks.inc on line 7

Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. PL/SQL and SQL*Plus are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. MVS is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corp. in the U.S. or other countries or both. Motif, OSF/1, UNIX, and the "X Device" are registered trademarks and IT DialTone and The Open Group are trademarks of The Open Group in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.