C Programming – Day 1: Introduction & Setup

🎯 Goal: Understand the basics of C programming and set up your development environment.

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1️⃣ What is C Programming?

✅ C is a general-purpose, procedural programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie in 1972.
✅ It is used in operating systems (Linux, Windows), cybersecurity, embedded systems, and game development.
✅ C is known for speed, memory management, and direct hardware interaction, making it ideal for hacking and security research.

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2️⃣ Setting Up the Development Environment

For Windows Users

1. Download MinGW (GCC Compiler) → Link
2. Install CodeBlocks IDE (optional) → Link
3. Check installation:
   • Open Command Prompt (cmd) and type:

     gcc --version
     

   • If installed, it should show the GCC version.

For Linux/Mac Users

1. Open Terminal and install GCC:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt install gcc  # For Ubuntu/Debian  
   sudo dnf install gcc                     # For Fedora  
   

2. Verify installation:

   gcc --version
   

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3️⃣ Writing Your First C Program

🔹 “Hello, World!” Program

Open a text editor (VS Code, CodeBlocks, or Terminal) and type:

#include <stdio.h>  // Standard Input/Output library

int main() {
    printf("Hello, World!\n");  // Print output to screen
    return 0;  // Exit the program
}

🔹 Explanation:

• #include <stdio.h> → Includes the Standard Input/Output library.
• int main() → Entry point of every C program.
• printf("Hello, World!\n"); → Prints text to the screen.
• return 0; → Ends the program successfully.

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4️⃣ Compiling and Running the Program

🔹 For Windows (CMD or PowerShell)

1. Open the folder where your C file is saved (cd path/to/folder).
2. Compile the program:

   gcc hello.c -o hello.exe
   

3. Run it:

   hello.exe
   

🔹 For Linux/Mac (Terminal)

1. Navigate to the folder:

   cd path/to/folder
   

2. Compile:

   gcc hello.c -o hello
   

3. Run:

   ./hello
   

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5️⃣ Hands-on Practice

✅ Modify the program to print your name:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    printf("Hello, I am [Your Name]!\n");
    return 0;
}

✅ Try printing multiple lines:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    printf("Learning C is fun!\n");
    printf("I will become a cybersecurity expert!\n");
    return 0;
}

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🔹 What’s Next (Day 2)?

➡️ Learn about Variables, Data Types, and Operators in C.

Let me know if you need help setting up your environment! 🚀