Before we begin with our basic concepts of the C programming language let’s take a look at the C Program -Structure of a simple code for better understanding.

A C program consists of the following components−

• standard input-output library functions
• variables
• comments
• statements
• operators
• operands
• functions

#include <stdio.h>    
    1. int main()
    2.  {    
    3. /* first program in C */
    4. printf("Hell, World!");    
    5. return 0;   
    6. }  

Description of the above code:

• here the first line of the code #include <stdio.h> is the standard input-output library. printf() function is defined in the stdio.h library file.
• int main() is the main function where the execution of the code begins.
• The opening curly brace { symbolizes the beginning of the block.
• The statement inside /*…*/ is the comment which is ignored by the compiler.
• The print() function prints the message “Hello World” on the output window/screen.
• The return 0 statement is the ending of the code, as well as returns the execution state of the OS.
• The closing curly brace } symbolizes the end of the block.

Compiling and Executing a C Program

Let us take a look at how to compile and run a program:

• If you are using a C code editor, you may directly click on the compile and run button resulting in the compilation of the program and an output will be generated on the screen.
• Otherwise, if you are using the command prompt then follow the below-given methods.
• open an editor and type your code in it
• save the file with the “.c” extension.
• open the command prompt go to the directory where you saved your c file
• type gcc filename.c -o filename and press enter.

Output

$ gcc filename.c -o filename
$ ./filename
Hello, World!

Make sure the gcc compiler is in your path and that you are running it in the directory containing the source file filename.c.

Now you might have a good understanding of the C Program -Structure.

Note: Also read C Programming Language Overview C Programming Language

Rabecca Fatima

Staying up to the mark is what defines me. Hi all! I’m Rabecca Fatima a keen learner, great enthusiast, ready to take new challenges as stepping stones towards flying colors.