Difference between revisions of "C programming language"
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− | The '''C programming language''' was derived from an earlier language called [[B programming language|B]]. | + | The '''C programming language''' was derived from an earlier [[programming language]] called [[B programming language|B]], itself derived from [[BCPL]]. There was next a short-lived intermediary language called NB, or New B. C can be crisply, and aptly, described as 'BCPL with [[type]]s and terser [[syntax]]'. |
− | A number of object-oriented | + | A number of [[object-oriented language]]s have been influenced by C, including |
[[Objective-C]], [[C++]], [[D]], [[Vala]]. | [[Objective-C]], [[C++]], [[D]], [[Vala]]. | ||
== Dialects == | == Dialects == | ||
− | There are two popular dialects, the original was K&R C, which spread with the original C [[compiler]], and [[pcc]], the portable C compiler. Later there was | + | |
+ | There are two popular dialects, the original was K&R C, which spread with the original C [[compiler]], and [[pcc]], the portable C compiler. Later there was an ANSI standard for the C language, usually referred to as 'ANSI C'. | ||
The C language evolved continuously starting in 1972. Some milestones: | The C language evolved continuously starting in 1972. Some milestones: | ||
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== hello world == | == hello world == | ||
+ | |||
Ancient | Ancient | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
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* [[Borland C]] | * [[Borland C]] | ||
* [[Watcom C]] | * [[Watcom C]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{semi-stub}} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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* [[Standard I/O library]] - I/O is not formally part of the language | * [[Standard I/O library]] - I/O is not formally part of the language | ||
* [[PDP-11 C stack operation]] | * [[PDP-11 C stack operation]] | ||
− | |||
− | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
− | * [https://archive.org/stream/bstj57-6-1991/bstj57-6-1991_djvu.txt The C Programming Language] - the [[BSTJ]] paper | + | * [https://archive.org/stream/bstj57-6-1991/bstj57-6-1991_djvu.txt The C Programming Language] - the original [[BSTJ]] paper describing C |
* [http://squoze.net/UNIX/bltj/06771914.pdf The Evolution of C - Past and Future] | * [http://squoze.net/UNIX/bltj/06771914.pdf The Evolution of C - Past and Future] | ||
* [https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/ Dennis M. Ritchie] - see section "C and its immediate ancestors" | * [https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/ Dennis M. Ritchie] - see section "C and its immediate ancestors" | ||
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** [https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/clcs.html The C Language Calling Sequence] - interesting note by DMR and SCJ | ** [https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/clcs.html The C Language Calling Sequence] - interesting note by DMR and SCJ | ||
** [https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/cchanges.pdf Recent Changes to C - November 15, 1978] - a few post-K+R changes | ** [https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/cchanges.pdf Recent Changes to C - November 15, 1978] - a few post-K+R changes | ||
+ | * [https://arstechnica.com/features/2020/12/a-damn-stupid-thing-to-do-the-origins-of-c/ “A damn stupid thing to do” — the origins of C] - starts at the beginning, with the CPL story | ||
[[Category: Languages]] | [[Category: Languages]] | ||
[[Category: C Language]] | [[Category: C Language]] |
Latest revision as of 18:16, 8 July 2024
The C programming language was derived from an earlier programming language called B, itself derived from BCPL. There was next a short-lived intermediary language called NB, or New B. C can be crisply, and aptly, described as 'BCPL with types and terser syntax'.
A number of object-oriented languages have been influenced by C, including Objective-C, C++, D, Vala.
Dialects
There are two popular dialects, the original was K&R C, which spread with the original C compiler, and pcc, the portable C compiler. Later there was an ANSI standard for the C language, usually referred to as 'ANSI C'.
The C language evolved continuously starting in 1972. Some milestones:
- 1972 - Primeval C - no struct, automatic variables can't be initialized.
- 1973 - preprocessor added.
- 1976? - Typesetter C - introduced long, unsigned, typedef, union, and changed =+ etc to +=.
- 1978 - K&R C
- 1989 - ANSI C
hello world
Ancient
char *hello "hello"; /* No = for initialization. */ main (argc, argv) int argc; /* Parameter declarations as in K&R. */ char **argv; { char *world; /* Auto variables can't be initialized. */ world = "world"; cprint ("%s %s\n", hello, world); /* No stdio yet. */ }
K&R
#include <stdio.h> main(argc,argv) int argc; char **argv; { printf("Hello World\n"); exit (0); }
ANSI C
#include <stdio.h> int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { printf("Hello World\n"); return 0; }
Compilers
See also
- Programming in C - A Tutorial - wonderfully clear and concise
- Old C Changes - some history of the development
- C Changes
- Typesetter C - one important stage
- Standard I/O library - I/O is not formally part of the language
- PDP-11 C stack operation
External links
- The C Programming Language - the original BSTJ paper describing C
- The Evolution of C - Past and Future
- Dennis M. Ritchie - see section "C and its immediate ancestors"
- C Reference Manual - the version from V6
- The Development of the C Language (PDF) - Ritchie paper with details of the early evolution
- Primeval C - Ritchie notes on some C software archaeology
- The C Language Calling Sequence - interesting note by DMR and SCJ
- Recent Changes to C - November 15, 1978 - a few post-K+R changes
- “A damn stupid thing to do” — the origins of C - starts at the beginning, with the CPL story