Getting Started with C

Introduction:

Are you eager to embark on your journey into C programming? To start coding in C, you'll need a development environament that includes a C compiler and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

What is a C Compiler and Text Editor?

C Compiler: A C compiler is a crucial software tool that transforms human-readable C code into machine-readable instructions. It analyzes your code for errors, compiles it into object code, and then links it with other necessary object code to generate an executable program.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE): An IDE is a software application that provides a comprehensive set of tools for writing, editing, compiling, and debugging code. It offers a user-friendly interface and combines various development tools in one place, making the coding process more efficient and productive.

Setting up your development environment is the first step toward mastering C programming. Let's proceed with the setup process using Microsoft Visual Studio!

1. Downloading Microsoft Visual Studio:

To begin, follow these steps to download Microsoft Visual Studio Community Edition, a free version of Visual Studio suitable for students and individual developers:

• Go to the Visual Studio website (visualstudio.microsoft.com) using your web browser.
• Look for the "Downloads" section and click on "Visual Studio Community".
• On the Visual Studio Community page, click the "Download" button.
• Once the installer is downloaded, run it on your computer.

2. Installing Visual Studio:

After downloading the installer, follow these simple steps to install Visual Studio on your machine:

• Run the downloaded installer, and you'll be presented with various options.
• Select the "Desktop development with C++" workload. This ensures that the necessary tools and libraries for C development are installed.
• Customize the installation if desired, choosing additional components or features based on your needs.
• Select the desired installation location on your computer.
• Click "Install" and let the installer do its magic. This process may take a while, so be patient.

3. Creating a C Project:

Once the installation is complete, follow these steps to create your first C project in Visual Studio:

• Launch Visual Studio.
• Click on "Create a new project" on the start page or go to "File" > "New" > "Project" from the menu.

• In the project templates window, search for "Empty Project" or "Console App" (if you want to start with a simple console-based application) and select it.
• Choose a name and location for your project.
• Click "Create" to create the project.

4. Writing and Running Your First C Code:

With your project set up, you're ready to write and run your first C code in Visual Studio:

• In the Solution Explorer window, right-click on the project name and select "Add" > "New Item".
• Choose "C++ File (.cpp)" and give it a name like "main.c".

• Visual Studio will open a new file where you can start writing your C code.
• Write your C code in the file. For example, you can start with a simple "Hello World!" program:

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    printf("Hello World!");

    return 0;
}

• Save the file (Ctrl + S or go to "File" > "Save All").
• To build and run your code, press F5 or go to "Debug" > "Start Debugging".

NOTE: Don't worry if you don't understand the code above - we will discuss it in detail in later lectures. For now, focus on how to run the code. (alert-success)

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You have successfully set up your development environment using Microsoft Visual Studio for C programming. With Visual Studio, you can write, build, and run C code efficiently.