Although C is primarily an imperative programming language, it has some additional features that make it appealing for use in scripting environments. C compilers typically include support for many common scripting languages, such as JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Python, Visual Basic, Tcl, Perl, AWK, C#, HTML, CSS, and HTML5. C programmers may choose to specialize in one or two programming languages, depending on their specific skills. If they do choose to specialize, however, it is advisable to learn more about other programming languages, as well.
C compilers are typically integrated into a compiler for interpreted languages, such as Perl, Java, JavaScript, and C++. Common scripts that can be compiled by a compiler include Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML, and PHP. In addition to scripts, several common programming languages may also be compiled by a C compiler, including the likes of ASP, JavaScript, Visual Basic, C#, and C, and so on. In general, it is best to compile your scripts into portable executable files (PE’s), since it can be much easier to debug a script, or to replace a runtime error if any occurs in it.
C programmers are often very familiar with the C standard library. The C standard library is made up of header files, library functions, type and structure files, template files, library subpackages, and header files. It also includes a number of utilities, libraries, tests, header files, and tools. In addition to the C standard library, a number of third-party C libraries are available, such as Boost, Flex, and Netbeans. These libraries are useful for building a large number of C programs.
Because C was initially developed for low-cost embedded systems, it is often used as a foundation language for software development. Some popular open source projects include Java, Perl, JavaScript, Ruby, C#, TCL, PHP, and AWK, among others. It is typically compiled into a shared library for reuse in these projects. However, other projects may require access to C libraries developed for other platforms.
A C compiler is usually integrated into a cross-platform environment, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X, so that it can be used in any environment where C is commonly used. These include web development, database management systems, and game consoles. Since most C programs are small in size, there is usually only one major file that contains the source code for the entire program. Compiler plugins are available to allow multiple files to share the same source code.
When learning C programming, it is important to become familiar with the C programming language itself, before attempting to work on larger projects. This can be achieved by reading a book, by attending a class, by doing research online, or by using a compiler-based tutorial. One of the most helpful ways to learn the language is by participating in a practical project, such as an online tutorial.
In addition to its usefulness as a foundation for smaller, hobbyist projects, C programming is also widely used for a variety of industry-specific applications. These include medical imaging, image processing, data analysis, network administration, and more. Although C programs are quite simple in nature, they are quite flexible and can be modified to implement complicated functionality.
