C Language Quick Revision Notes
1. What is C Language?
C is a high-level, procedural programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie in 1972. It is foundational for
system-level programming.
2. Tokens in C:
Tokens are the smallest units in a program, categorized as Keywords, Identifiers, Constants, Operators, Special
symbols, and Strings.
3. Keywords:
Reserved words in C such as int, return, void, etc.
4. Variables and Constants:
Variable: Named storage (e.g., int x = 10;)
Constant: Immutable value (e.g., const int y = 5; or #define PI 3.14)
5. Data Types:
Basic: int, float, char, double
Derived: arrays, pointers, functions
User-defined: struct, union, enum
Void: indicates absence of value
6. Operators:
- Unary: ++, --
- Binary: Arithmetic (+, -, *, /, %), Relational (<, >, ==), Logical (&&, ||, !)
- Ternary: condition ? true : false
7. Input/Output Functions:
- scanf("%d", &x); printf("x = %d", x);
- getchar(); putchar('A');
8. Control Statements (with Definitions):
- if: Executes a block if condition is true.
- else: Executes when 'if' condition is false.
- switch: Allows multi-way branching.
- for: Repeats block with initialization, condition, and update.
- while: Entry-controlled loop executing while condition is true.
- do-while: Exit-controlled loop; executes at least once.
- break: Terminates loop or switch prematurely.
- continue: Skips current iteration and proceeds to next loop cycle.
9. Arrays:
Collection of same data type.
- Declaration: int a[5];
- 2D Array: int mat[2][2];
10. Strings:
Array of characters ending with ''.
- Functions: strlen(), strcpy()
11. Functions:
Reusable code block. Syntax: return_type func_name(params)
- Call by Value: Passes value (no change to original)
- Call by Reference: Passes address (original can change)
12. Pointers:
Holds address of another variable.
- Syntax: int *p = &x;
13. malloc and free:
Dynamic memory allocation and deallocation.
14. Structures:
User-defined type with multiple data fields.
- Access: struct student s; s.id = 1;
15. Unions:
Similar to structures but share memory.
- Only one member holds value at a time.
16. Difference: Structure vs Union:
Structure allocates separate memory for each member; Union shares same memory. Structure can store multiple
values; Union only one at a time.
17. Enum:
Used to define named integer constants.
Memory Trick: KOD VIC CAFS PUS
(Knowledge, Operators, Data types, Variables, Input/Output, Control, Arrays, Functions, Strings, Pointers, Union,
Structure)