Learn to Program with C_ Learn to Program using the Popular C Programming Language ( PDFDrive )

Chapter 1
Elementary Programming
Concepts
In this chapter, we will explain the following:
• How a computer solves a problem
• The various stages in the development of a computer program: from
problem definition to finished program
• How a computer executes a program
• What is a “data type” and its fundamental role in writing a program
• The role of characters—the basic building blocks of all programs
• The concepts of constants and variables
• The distinction between syntax and logic errors
• How to produce basic output in C using the printf statement
• What is an escape sequence
• How descriptive or explanatory comments can be included in your program
• What is an assignment statement and how to write one in C
1.1 Programs, Languages, and Compilers
We are all familiar with the computer’s ability to perform a wide variety of tasks. For instance, we
can use it to play games, write a letter or a book, perform accounting functions for a company,
learn a foreign language, listen to music on a CD, send a fax, or search for information on the
Internet. How is this possible, all on the same machine? The answer lies with programming—
the creation of a sequence of instructions that the computer can perform (we say “execute”) to
accomplish each task. This sequence of instructions is called a program. Each task requires a
different program:
• To play a game, we need a game-playing program.
• To write a letter or a book, we need a word processing program.
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