(5 dagar )

C Programming

C is one of the most widely-used languages for systems software and workstation application programming, largely due to its power and flexibility. This course will provide you a highly effective, structured approach to learning the C language.

Programming skills will be enhanced as delegates will be able to use the powerful features of C to best effect and avoid errors that lead to faulty code or code that cannot be maintained. The programming course is outstanding because of its emphasis on writing style, pitfalls to avoid and techniques to use that make the code clear, concise and maintainable.


On Completion, Delegates will be able to

• use the major elements of the C language
• write programs using the strengths of the C language; for example, pointers
• write and use the data structuring features of the language, which can result in better program design
• work with the C run-time library: a major source of programmer productivity
• spot and remedy common programming errors in C
• write in a good C programming style

Who Should Attend
Experienced programmers wishing to learn the C language. 

Course Style
In addition to the lecture material there are graded practical sessions that cover each of the major areas of C. There are also optional exercises for further study after the course. Delegates may take away worked solutions, together with some small sample demonstration programmes. 

Prerequisites
Delegates must have professional programming skills and a good working knowledge of a block-structured language, such as Basic/Visual Basic, Pascal/Modula2, Fortran, Algol or PL/1, and be familiar with a programming environment.

Delegates without this experience should attend C Primer course first and follow it up with at least one month of practical usage. Delegates with more than a few months of C programming experience should attend the Advanced C course instead.


Course Content

An Overview of C
History and evolution of C; Key characteristics of C

Writing a Simple Program
Program structure; Data and code statements; C software development life cycle

Data Types
Scalar types; Variables and constants; Storage considerations; Initialising variables

Operators and Expressions
Standard arithmetic operators; Increment, decrement, assignment and relational operators; Automatic and programmer-controlled type conversion

Program Looping
Boolean expressions; While, Do and For loops; Looping style considerations

Decision Making
If, Else and Switch statements; Other statements affecting flow of control; Decision-making style considerations

Functions and Program Structure
Inter-function communication; Function prototypes, calls and definitions; Scope and storage classes

Structured Data Types
Arrays, structures and unions; Nested data structures

Pointers
The concept of indirection; Pointers and address arithmetic; Pointers and functions

Pointers and Data Structures
Pointers and arrays; Pointers and structures; Complex data structures

Preprocessor
Tokens and macros; Include files; Conditional compilation

Input and Output
Using run-time routines; Character and formatted I/O; File I/O

Further Data Types
Bit manipulation; User-defined types

Working with Larger Programs
C and modular programming; C's standard library considerations

The Way Ahead
Further C information sources; Support after this course