10 Reasons - Why C Should be your First Programming Language

By: Anuj
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This is was the same question I asked myself when I started writing my first pro
gram. I tried many languages but finally I came to C, the most beautiful and cha
rming language of all. I was literally blown away by the simplicity and elegance
of C.
Though C is simple it is one of the most powerful languages ever created.
In this dynamic IT world new language come every day and get obsolete, so there
must be something in the C which has remained there for 3 decades and more and e
ven today there is hardly any language which can match its strength.
90% of the starting programmer says that C has been superseded by its predecesso
rs such as C++, Java, and C # and so on so why learn C. I don't know why they th
ink so but I know one thing that they will never excel the other 10% programmers
who differs from this opinion. Simple reason is how could a skyscraper building
stand against time if its foundation is not strong.
C was the programming language developed at AT & T's Bell Laboratories of USA in
1972. It was written by a man name Dennis Ritchie.
Now Let us begin to analyze reason why C should be your first programming langua
ge.
1.I believe nobody can learn C++ or Java directly. To master these languages you
need to have a strong concept of programming element such as polymorphism, clas
ses, inheritance etc. Simple question is how you can learn such complicated conc
epts when you don't even know about the basic elements such as block functions.
C is a language which begins from scratch and it has foundational concepts on wh
ich today concepts stand on.
2.It is language on which C++ is based on, hence C# also derive its origin from
the C. Java is also a distant cousin of C and share the same programming concept
and syntax of C. These are the most dominant languages in the world and all are
based on C. To rock the world through them you must get rocking with C.
3.C++, Java, and C # make use of OOP (Object Oriented Programming). Not all prog
rams need it even though it is a powerful tool. Such programs are still written
in C.
4. When ever it comes to performance (speed of execution), C is unbeatable.
5.Major parts of the Windows, Unix and Linux are still written in C. So if you w
ant program these OS or create your own you need to know C.
6.Device drivers of new devices are always written in C. The reason is that C pr
ovides you access to the basic elements of the computer. It gives you direct acc
ess to memory of your CPU through pointers. It allows you to manipulate and play
with bits and bytes.
7.Mobiles, Palmtops, PDA's etc are gaining popularity every second. Also applian
ces such as T.V., Refrigerators, and Microwaves etc. are becoming an integral pa
rt of our daily needs. You may not know but they have a CPU with them which do n
eed programming and the software's written for them are known as embedded system
programs. These programs have to be fast in execution but also have a very litt
le memory. No question why C is ideally suited for embedded system programming.

8.You must have played games on your PC. Even today these astounding 3D games us
e C as their core. Why? The simple reason who will play the game when it takes a
lot of time fire a bullet after you have given command from the console. The re
ply to the command should be damn prompt and fast. Reply in 1 Nano second is an
outstanding game; Reply in 10 Nano seconds is crap. Even today there is no match
for C.
9. C is a middle level language. There are three types of language - High Level,
Middle Level & Low Level. High level languages are user oriented, giving faster
development of programs, example is BASIC. Low level languages are machine orie
nted; they provide faster execution of programs. C is a middle level language be
cause it combines the best part of high level language with low level language.
It is both user and machine oriented and provides infinite possibilities.
10.Last but not least it is a block structured language. The first symbol of a m
odern language is that it is block structured. Each code exists in separate bloc
k and is not known to code in other block providing easy means of programming an
d minimizing the possibilities of undesirable side effects. C is designed from t
he base to top to be a block structured language. Many older languages, most pop
ular being BASIC tried to introduce this concept but their short coming can neve
r fulfilled as they were never built along these line.
I think I have given all reason I know why c should be your first programming la
nguage. One thing is for sure that there no other language which more reliable,
simple and easy to use.
For more Articles Related To C check out my website www.cencyclopedia.com