Writing your first C program is an exciting step in learning the language. The classic "Hello, World!" program is a simple yet powerful introduction to C programming.
Let's break down the components of a simple C program:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Hello, World!\n");
return 0;
}
#include <stdio.h>
: This line includes the standard input/output library.int main()
: The main function, where program execution begins.printf()
: A function to print text to the console.return 0;
: Indicates successful program completion.The #include
directive tells the compiler to include the stdio.h
header file. This file contains declarations for input and output functions like printf()
.
The main()
function is crucial. It's the entry point of your program. The int
before main
specifies that the function returns an integer.
Inside main()
, we use printf()
to display "Hello, World!" on the screen. The \n
at the end creates a new line.
Finally, return 0;
signifies that the program executed successfully.
To run this program:
.c
extension (e.g., hello.c
).gcc hello.c -o hello
./hello
You should see "Hello, World!" printed on your screen.
You can modify the program to print different messages:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Welcome to C programming!\n");
printf("This is your first step towards becoming a C programmer.\n");
return 0;
}
main()
function is essential in every C program.printf
is correct, not Printf
or PRINTF
.After mastering the "Hello, World!" program, you're ready to explore more complex concepts. Consider learning about C Variables, C Data Types, and C Operators to build a strong foundation in C programming.
Remember, practice is key in programming. Try modifying this program and experiment with different print statements to solidify your understanding.