An Introduction to C

Programming
Learning Objectives
 Learn how to write and compile a C
program
 Learn what C libraries are
 Understand the C variable types
 Understand how to use if and if/else
statements
 Understand how to use the for structure

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How to Write and Compile
C Programs
 C, C++ and Java
 Compilers: Microsoft Visual C++, GCC, Borland
C
 Since we will be working on PCs:
 Microsoft Visual C++
 Open new Win32 Console Application
 Name it (in “project name”)
 Click “a hello world application”
 Go to file view, source files, then the name of your
project.cpp

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Some Things About C
 Case matters, white space does not
 Comments go between /* and */
 Each statement is followed by a semicolon
 Execution begins in the main function:
int main(int argc, char* argv[]) { /* ignore this */
/* start here */
return 0; /*end here */
}

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What are C libraries?
 C is a lightweight language. Most of its
intelligence is compartmentalized in libraries.
 Almost all c programs use the “stdio” or standard
input/output library. Many also use the “math”
library.
 To use a library, include the header file (I.e.,
“stdio.h”) at the top of the file.
 For most special purpose libraries (I.e., math) you
need to include the library on the link line. In
Visual C++, go to project->settings-
>object/module libraries.
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 C Variable Types
 The most common types are: char, int, float, and double.
 Strings are arrays of characters (we’ll cover arrays later).
 Declare a variable before you use it:
int x; /* declares an integer called x. Its value is not assigned. */
float y, z = 3.14159; /* declares two floating point numbers. z is set
equal to pi */
z = 4; /* now z is equal to 4 */
myVal = 2; /* This would be an error, because myVal was not yet
declared */

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Logical Operators
 C defines these logical operators: <, >, <=,
>= and == (the equivalence operator)
 You can compare any variable. Characters
are compared based on their ASCII values.
 All answers will be true (not zero) or false
(0)
 You can extend the logic with && (and), ~
(not) and || (or).

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The If Statement
 Syntax: if (expression) statement;
 If the expression is true (not zero), the statement
is executed. If the expression is false, it is not
executed.
 You can group multiple expressions together with
braces:
if (expression) {
statement 1;
statement 2;
statement 3;
}

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The If/Else Statement
 Syntax: if (expression) statement_1; else
statement_2;
 If the expression is true, statement_1 will
be executed, otherwise, statement_2 will
be.

if (myVal < 3) printf(“myVal is less than 3.\n”);

else printf(“myVal is greater than or equal to 3.\n”);

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The For Loop
 Syntax: for (initialization; test; increment)
{statements;}
 The for loop will first perform the
initialization. Then, as long is test is TRUE,
it will execute statements. After each
execution, it will increment.
for (cntr = 0; cntr < 3; cntr = cntr + 1) {
printf(“ Counter = %d\n”, cntr);
}

Counter = 0;
Counter = 1;
Counter = 2;
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Learning Objectives
 Learn how to write and compile a C
program
 Learn what C libraries are
 Understand the C variable types
 Understand how to use if and if/else
statements
 Understand how to use the for structure

Faculty of IT, AFTC