The C programming language is a procedural and general-purpose language that provides low-level access to system memory. A program written in C must be run through a C compiler to convert it into an executable that a computer can run.
Many Unix-based operating systems (OS) versions are written in C, and it has been standardized as part of the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX).
Applications of C Programming Language
The development of system software and desktop applications is mostly accomplished via C programming. The following are some examples of C programming applications.
Operating Systems
A high-level programming language built in the C programming language was used to construct the first operating system, UNIX. Later, the C programming language was used to write Microsoft Windows and several Android apps.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)
Since the beginning of time, Adobe Photoshop has been one of the most widely used picture editors. It was created entirely with the aid of the C programming language. Furthermore, C was used to develop Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Premiere.
Embedded Systems
Because it is directly related to the machine hardware, C programming is often regarded as the best choice for scripting programs and drivers for embedded systems, among other things.
You can also use the C/C++ programming language to create the Google Chrome web browser and the Google File System. Furthermore, the Google Open Source community includes many projects maintained with the C/C++ programming language.
Compiler Design
You can widely use the C programming language to develop compilers, one of its most popular applications. The compilers of many other languages compilers were created with the connection between C and low-level languages in mind, making it easier for the machine to grasp what was being written. Many prominent compilers, such as Clang C, Bloodshed Dev-C, Apple C, and MINGW, were developed with the C programming language.
Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird
Because Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird were free and open-source email client projects, they were included here. As a result, they were developed in the C/C++ programming language.
Gaming and Animation
Because the C programming language is based on a compiler and is thus far quicker than Python or Java, it has gained popularity in the game industry. Some of the most basic games, such as Dino, Tic-Tac-Toe, and Snake, are written in C programming languages. In addition, doom3, a first-person shooter horror game developed by id Software in 2004 for Microsoft Windows and written in C, is one of the most powerful graphics games ever created.
MySQL
MySQL is another open-source project used in relational database management systems (RDBMS). It was developed in the C/C++ programming language.
New Programming Languages
It is not only C that gave rise to C++. This programming language incorporates all the features of C while also incorporating the concept of object-oriented programming. Still, it has also given rise to many other programming languages widely used today, such as MATLAB and Mathematica. It makes it possible for applications to run more quickly on a computer.
Translation of High-level Languages to Machine Language
Interpreters are also computer programs that translate high-level languages into machine language. You may write language interpreters in the C programming language. C language is used to write several computer language interpreters, such as the Python Interpreter, the MATLAB Interpreter, etc.
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Why Take C Programming Courses?
‘C’ is a base language for many programming languages. So, learning C as the main language will play an important role while studying other programming languages. It shares the same concepts, such as data types, operators, control statements, etc. ‘C’ can be used widely in various applications. It is a simple language and provides faster execution. There are many jobs available for a ‘C’ developer in the current market.
‘C’ is a structured programming language in which the program is divided into various modules. Each module can be written separately, forming a single ‘C’ program. This structure makes it easy to test, maintain, and debug processes.
‘C’ contains 32 keywords, various data types and a set of powerful built-in functions that make programming very efficient.
Another feature of C programming is that it can extend itself. A ‘C’ program contains various functions which are part of a library. We can add our features and functions to the library. We can access and use these functions anytime we want in our program. This feature makes it simple while working with complex programming.
Various compilers are available in the market that can be used for executing programs written in this language. It is a highly portable language, meaning programs written in ‘C’ can run on other machines. This feature is essential if we wish to use or execute the code on another computer.
Top C Programming Courses Online

C Programming for Beginners - Master the C Language (Udemy)
If you have never programmed a computer before, then this is one of the best courses to get started with. This course will help you understand memory space and CPU architecture so that you can create efficient programs. By the end of this course, you will be able to write high-quality code and create your first C application.
Course Details
- Duration: 24 Hours
- Skill level: Beginner
- What will you learn:
- Pointer basics
- Addresses and indirection
- Lists and data structures
- Common pointer problems
C Programming for Beginners (Udemy)
In this course, you will learn everything from the very fundamentals of programming right through to the complexities of pointers and addresses. The course also teaches the scoping rules of C as well as the connection between arrays and memory addresses. This course provides a good understanding of the C language and the computer's underlying architecture.
Course Details
- Duration: 8 Hours
- Skill level: Beginner
- What you will learn:
- C Programming basics
- Variables, constants, and types
- Operators, tests, and user input
- Function, arguments, and switch
- Arrays, loops, and break
- File-handling
- Binary files and memory allocation
Professional Certificate in C Programming with Linux (edX)
This program is intended for those who want a professional certification in C programming on the Linux platform. It consists of 7 short courses that teach how to write, read, and debug computer programs in the C programming language while also becoming acquainted with the Linux operating system.
Course Details
- Skill level: Intermediate
- What you will learn:
- Language foundations
- Modular programming and memory management
- Advanced data types
- The command line interface
- Using Linux tools and libraries
C Programming: The Best Approach to Learning C Language (Udemy)
This course teaches the C language informally and practically. By the end of this course, you will gain knowledge about the basics of C programming language, familiarize yourself with pointers thoroughly and make your programs, allocate and deallocate memory spaces accordingly, and deploy and run your real-time applications.
Course Details
- Duration: 5 hours
- Skill level: Beginner
- What you will learn:
- Variables, data types, and operators in C
- File handling and command line arguments
- Arrays and character array in C
- Pointers and linked lists
- String handling functions
- Stacks and queues data structure in C language
C for Everyone: Programming Fundamentals (Coursera)
This course will teach C programming basics, the flow of control and simple functions, and much more. The course also lets learners assess their learning through a practice exercise.
Course Details
- Duration: 22 hours
- Skill level: Beginner
- What you will learn:
- Lexical elements and data types
- Flow of control and simple functions
- Advanced functions, recursion
- Arrays and pointers
C Programming in Hindi (Great Learning)
In this C Programming in Hindi Course, you will learn C programming basics like variables, data types, operators, arrays, and flow control statements. A few more vital concepts will be discussed, like functions, unions, and structures in C Programming in Hindi.
What You Will Learn:
- C Programming in Hindi
- Variables
- Data Types
- Operators
- Flow Control Statements
- Arrays
- Functions
- Structures
- Unions
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Introductory C Programming Specialization (Coursera)
This specialization develops strong programming fundamentals for learners who want to solve complex problems by writing computer programs. Through four courses, you will learn to develop algorithms systematically and read and write the C code to implement them. This will prepare you to pursue a career in software development or other computational fields. Successful completion of this specialization will be considered by admissions as a demonstration of the student's skill. Enhance the master's application to Duke's Pratt School of Engineering.
What You Will Learn
- Learn skills like software development processes, algorithms, and software engineering
- C Programming
- Computer Programming
- Programming Language Concepts
- Problem Solving
C Programming Tutorial for Beginners (FreeCodeCamp + Youtube)
This is another great free tutorial for beginners learning the C programming language. This 3.45 hours long free course will give you a full introduction to all of the core concepts in the C programming language.
C is worth learning in 2023 because it is easy to grasp. It gives you basic knowledge about the inner workings of computer systems and the core concepts that drive programming. C bridges the gap between low-level and high-level programming languages and allows you to develop more complex and comprehensive programs for operating systems and software applications in 2022.
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