What is C?
C is one of the oldest and most powerful programming languages. It is the foundation of modern computing — operating systems, compilers, and embedded systems are built with C.
15 min•By Priygop Team•Last updated: Feb 2026
What is C?
C is a general-purpose, procedural programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs in 1972. It is called the 'mother of all languages' because many modern languages (C++, Java, Python, JavaScript) are influenced by C. C gives you direct control over memory and hardware, making it extremely fast and efficient. The Linux kernel, Windows, and macOS are all written in C.
Why Learn C?
- Foundation — Understanding C makes learning any other language easier
- Speed — C programs run extremely fast (close to machine code)
- Control — Direct memory management with pointers
- Embedded Systems — Used in microcontrollers, IoT devices, robotics
- Operating Systems — Linux, Windows, macOS kernels are in C
- Career — Essential for systems programming, game engines, compilers
Your First C Program
Example
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Hello, World!\n");
return 0;
}Try It Yourself: Hello World
Try It Yourself: Hello WorldC
C Editor
✓ ValidTab = 2 spaces
C|8 lines|156 chars|✓ Valid syntax
UTF-8