Why Learn C? History of C
Discover why C is still one of the most important programming languages after 50+ years. Learn its history, where it's used today, and why learning C gives you an edge in your programming career.
Track Your Progress
Sign in to save your learning progress
What You Will Learn
- ✓Understand why C is still relevant today
- ✓Learn the brief history of C language
- ✓Know where C is used today (OS, databases, IoT)
- ✓Understand the benefits of learning C first
01Why Learn C Today?
With so many modern languages available, you might wonder: "Why should I learn C?"Despite being over 50 years old, C remains one of the most important and widely-used programming languages in the world.
TIOBE Index
Years of Dominance
Career Opportunities
02Brief History of C
Birth of C
Dennis Ritchie developed C at Bell Labs to rewrite the UNIX operating system. C evolved from an earlier language called B (which came from BCPL).
K&R C
Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie published "The C Programming Language" — the definitive book on C that is still relevant today.
ANSI C (C89)
C was standardized by ANSI (American National Standards Institute), creating a portable, consistent language specification.
C99
Major update adding inline functions, variable-length arrays, // comments,bool type, and more.
C11, C17, C23
Continued evolution with multi-threading support, improved Unicode, better safety features, and modern conveniences while maintaining backwards compatibility.
03Why C Still Matters
System Programming
Operating systems (Linux, Windows, macOS), device drivers, and embedded systems are written in C. It's the language closest to hardware without being assembly.
Performance Critical
Game engines, databases, compilers, and high-frequency trading systems use C for maximum speed. No garbage collector, minimal overhead.
Foundation for Other Languages
Python, Ruby, PHP, and Perl interpreters are written in C. Understanding C helps you understand how other languages work under the hood.
Universal and Portable
C compilers exist for virtually every platform. Write once, compile anywhere — from tiny microcontrollers to supercomputers.
04Where C is Used Today
Operating Systems
Linux kernel, Windows kernel, macOS kernel, iOS, Android (kernel), FreeBSD, embedded RTOS
Databases
MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Redis, Oracle Database, MongoDB (parts)
Web & Networking
Apache, Nginx, curl, OpenSSL, Git, Wireshark, TCP/IP implementations
Development Tools
GCC, Clang/LLVM, Python interpreter (CPython), Lua, Ruby (MRI), PHP, Vim, Emacs
Games & Graphics
Unreal Engine (C++, derived from C), id Tech engines, OpenGL, Vulkan, DirectX interfaces
Embedded & IoT
Arduino, Raspberry Pi, automotive systems, medical devices, spacecraft, satellites
05Benefits of Learning C
Deep Understanding
Learn how memory, pointers, and low-level operations work. Understand what happens "under the hood" in all programs.
Better Problem Solving
C forces you to think about memory management and efficiency, making you a stronger programmer in any language.
Learn Languages Faster
C syntax influenced C++, Java, C#, JavaScript, PHP, and many others. Learning C makes learning these languages easier.
Career Opportunities
High demand in embedded systems, IoT, systems programming, game development, and performance-critical applications.
05bC in Modern Development
You might think C is an "old language" that's being replaced. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here's how C fits into modern software development:
Internet Infrastructure
The entire internet runs on C. Web servers like Nginx and Apache, networking protocols, DNS servers, routers, and firewalls — all written in C. When you visit any website, C code is processing your request at multiple levels.
Mobile Development
Both iOS and Android are built on C. The performance-critical parts of mobile apps — game engines, audio/video processing, cryptography — are written in C for speed. React Native and Flutter use C/C++ for their rendering engines.
Machine Learning & AI
While Python is popular for ML, the actual computation happens in C/C++. TensorFlow, PyTorch, and other ML frameworks have C cores for performance. Understanding C helps you optimize ML workloads and write custom operators.
Security & Cryptography
Security software needs to be fast and have no hidden overhead. OpenSSL, libsodium, and most cryptographic libraries are C. Security auditors often need C knowledge to review code for vulnerabilities.
05cC Skills = Premium Salaries
C programmers command higher salaries because the skills are rarer and more difficult to acquire. Here's what the job market looks like:
Embedded Systems Engineer
Design firmware for devices. Required for IoT, automotive, medical devices, aerospace. Average salary: $90k-150k+
Systems Programmer
Work on operating systems, compilers, databases. Companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta. Average salary: $120k-200k+
Game Engine Developer
Build game engines and performance-critical game code. C/C++ required for real-time rendering and physics. Average salary: $100k-180k+
Security Researcher
Find vulnerabilities, write exploits, audit code. Understanding C memory model is essential. Average salary: $100k-250k+
06C vs Other Languages
| Feature | C | Python | Java |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fastest | Slower | Fast |
| Memory Control | Full control | Automatic | Automatic |
| Learning Curve | Steeper | Easiest | Moderate |
| Portability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Use Case | Systems/Embedded | Scripts/AI/ML | Enterprise Apps |
Each language has its strengths. C excels where performance and hardware access are critical.
07Getting Started with C
Ready to start your C programming journey? Here's what you need:
1.A C Compiler
- • Windows: MinGW-w64, or use WSL with GCC
- • macOS: Xcode Command Line Tools (includes Clang)
- • Linux: GCC (usually pre-installed)
2.A Text Editor or IDE
- • VS Code — Free, lightweight, great extensions
- • CLion — Professional C/C++ IDE
- • Code::Blocks — Free, beginner-friendly
3.Practice Resources
- • Follow our tutorials in order
- • Type every example yourself (don't copy-paste!)
- • Experiment and modify the code
- • Work on small projects
!Code Pitfalls: Common Mistakes & What to Watch For
Common Mistakes When Copied code C Code
Copying code are especially dangerous with C because of its low-level nature:
- ✗Memory bugs: Beginners often forget to free() memory, creates dangling pointers, or causes buffer overflows
- ✗Security vulnerabilities: copied C code often has exploitable bugs that compile without warnings
- ✗Undefined behavior: Copied code code that "works" on one system but fails on another
- ✗Platform assumptions: Copied code often assumes Windows, Linux, or macOS specifics that break portability
Deep C Knowledge is Your Advantage
Copying code makes things seem easier, but low-level C expertise becomes more valuable. While copying code is easy, those who understand memory, pointers, and systems programming stand out.
09Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Is C still relevant today?
A: Absolutely! C powers operating systems (Linux, Windows kernels), embedded systems, databases, and performance-critical applications. Python, Ruby, and many languages are implemented in C. It's in the top 3 of language rankings and will remain essential for decades.
Q:Isn't C hard to learn?
A: C is simpler than many modern languages — it has fewer keywords and concepts. What's "hard" is that C doesn't hide complexity from you. You learn how memory really works. This knowledge makes you a better programmer in any language.
Q:What's the difference between C and C++?
A: C++ adds object-oriented programming, templates, and many features on top of C. C is smaller and simpler. Many C++ features aren't needed for systems programming. Learning C first makes C++ easier — you understand the foundation before the additions.
Q:Should I learn C before other languages?
A: It depends on your goals. C teaches you how computers really work, which benefits all future learning. But if you need quick results, Python is more beginner-friendly. Many recommend: learn basics in any language, then study C to deepen understanding.
Q:What makes C faster than other languages?
A: C compiles directly to machine code with no runtime interpreter. It has minimal overhead — no garbage collector, no automatic bounds checking, no virtual machine. You control exactly what the CPU does. This is why operating systems are written in C.
Q:What jobs use C?
A: Systems programmers, embedded engineers, game engine developers, operating system engineers, security researchers, IoT developers, and high-performance computing specialists. C skills command premium salaries because fewer developers have them.
Q:Should I learn C even if I want to do web development?
A: Learning C makes you understand what higher-level languages hide — memory, performance, system calls. This knowledge helps you write better code anywhere. Plus, understanding C makes debugging easier when you hit low-level issues.
09Summary
C is a Foundational Language
Learning C gives you superpowers that transfer to every other programming language. You'll understand computers at a deeper level and become a more effective programmer.
10Ready to Start?
Start with the Basics
Begin with simple programs: printing output, variables, and basic arithmetic. Build a strong foundation before tackling pointers and memory management. Each concept builds on the previous one.
Test Your Knowledge
Related Tutorials
What is Programming?
Understand what programming really is before writing any code. Learn why we program, types of programming languages, and key concepts every beginner should know.
Introduction to Algorithms
Learn what algorithms are and how to write step-by-step solutions to problems. Understand the building blocks of all computer programs.
Getting Started with C Programming
Your first step into C programming! Learn how to install a compiler, set up your computer, and write your very first "Hello World" program. No prior experience needed.
Have Feedback?
Found something missing or have ideas to improve this tutorial? Let us know on GitHub!