C Programming

Students Will Learn:

Data Types, Storage Classes, & Scope
Pointers, Arrays, and Dynamic Allocation
Compiler Directives, Preprocessor, and Macros

Operators and Expressions
Functions and C Runtime Library
Structures and Unions

Course Description: This hands on C programming course provides a comprehensive introduction to the ANSI C language, emphasizing portability and structured design. Students are introduced to all major language elements including fundamental data types, flow control, and standard function libraries. Thorough treatment is given to the topics of string and character manipulation, dynamic memory allocation, standard I/O, macro definition, and the C runtime library. The course explains the use of aggregate structures, unions, and pointers early on so the students can practice extensively in the hands on labs. Structured programming constructs and varargs functions are also covered. Emphasis is given to the processing of command line arguments and environment variables so students will be able to write flexible, user-friendly programs. The course also includes coverage of portability tips drawn from experienced programmers working in production environments. Comprehensive hands on exercises are performed throughout training each day to reinforce key concepts.

Course Prerequisites: Understanding of fundamental programming concepts.

Follow-up Course: C++ Programming for C Programmers

C Programming Course Overview:

Overview of C Operating System Independence Design Goals and Capabilities Flavors of C	Compiler Directives and the C Preprocessor Compile-Time Directives Use of typedef C Preprocessor Syntax
Fundamental Data Types, Storage Classes, and Scope Fundamental Data Types and Qualifiers Constants and Strings Storage Classes Scope and Block Structure Scope and Data Hiding Data Initialization	Pointers and Dynamic Allocation Advantages of Pointers User of Pointers Pointer and Address Arithmetic Dynamic Storage Allocation sizeof Double Indirection
Macros Functions versus Inlining Purpose of Macros Use of Macros Making Code More Readable Auto Adjustment of Compile Time Values Conditional Compilation Making Code Portable Simplifying Complex Access Calculations Advanced Micro Design Tips Using Macros to Help Write Portable Programs When to Use a Macro instead of a Function Using Macros for Debugging	Arrays Purpose of Arrays Declaring an Array Initializing an Array Addressing Elements Stepping Through an Array Variable Size Arrays Arrays of Pointers Arrays of Strings Passing an Array to a Function Dynamic Memory Allocation Multidimensional Arrays
Basic Formatted I/O Standard I/O Library Character Set Encoding Standard Input and Output Character I/O Functions Formatted I/O Functions String Constants	Program Debugging Problem Analysis Instrumenting with printif Instrumenting with ctrace The Purpose of Debuggers How Not to Use Debuggers Symbolic Debuggers
Operators and Expressions Arithmetic, Logical, and Bit Operators Precedence and Associativity Assignment and Casting The Conditional Operator	Flow Control Constructs Conditional Constructs: if, switch Looping Constructs: while, do, for Programming Style
Functions (Subroutines) Purpose of Functions Functions versus Inlining Automatic Variables The Argument Stack Passing By Value Passing By Reference Declaring External Functions Function Prototyping ANSI Prototyping The _NO_PROTO Compiler Symbol Varargs Functions Passing a Function as an Argument Designing Functions for Reusability Calling a Function from Another Language Returning a Dynamically Allocated Value Using Double Indirection Casting the Return Value of a Function Recursion and Reentrancy	Structures Purpose of Structures Defining and Declaring Structures Accessing Members Pointers to Structures Dynamic Memory Allocation Passing a Structure to a Function As a Pointer Passing the Actual Structure
Advanced Structures and Unions Nested Structures Arrays of Structures Bit Fields Unions Linked Lists	C Runtime Library Standard Functions Character I/O Unformatted File I/O Formatted File I/O Math Functions Miscellaneous Functions
Strings and Character Manipulation Strings as Character Arrays String Library Functions Reading and Writing Strings	Accessing Command Line Arguments and Environment Symbols argc and argv Parsing Command Line Options Accessing the Environment Array
Structured Programming Structuring Code for Quality, Reliability, Maintainability Designing for Modularity and Reusability	Advanced Programming Consideration Writing Portable Code Use of Macros ANSI C Limits Feature Test Macros Client/Server Design Performance Considerations

Student Testimonials

"I enjoyed the class way more than I enjoyed trying to figure out C on my own."
– D.S., Stora Enso

"Excellent course – nice combination of labs and instruction."
– C.L., Intuit

C Programming

Students Will Learn:

Multiple Training Locations - Convenience and Cost Control

Regularly Scheduled Courses in 11 Cities Across Canada