Set Up Your Environment

The first step in C programming is setting up your development environment. There are a few ways to go about this but nowadays with built in addons to IDE's, running code is much simpler than it once was.

1. Install a C compiler like GCC for Linux or for Windows. Even though you will be using Visual Studio code, you will still need a C compiler to compile the code. Once you have downloaded your compiler, before going to the next step ensure your compiler is properly accessible by using terminal commands. Example: In windows check with gcc --version if you don't get back a version reply like (MinGW.org GCC-6.3.0-1) 6.3.0, then you know your compiler is not accesible. Two fixes can contain resetting the computer or ensuring the compiler path is set up properly.
2. Choose an editor that you feel comfortable with, such as Code::Blocks or Visual Studio Code. We reccommend using Visual Studio Code and then installing the Code Runner extension in the extension store by Jun Han with 26.4M downloads at time of this upload. This will make life a lot easier, allowing you to simply run different code languages straight from the visual studio interface.

Write Your First Program

Open your editor and create a new file with a .c extension. Write the following code to print "Hello, World!" to the console:

                    #include 
                    int main() {
                        printf("Hello, World!\n");
                        return 0;
                    }
                

Compiling and Running Your C Program

There are two primary methods to compile and run your C program:

1. Using an IDE: Most IDEs like Code::Blocks or Visual Studio Code have built-in features to compile and run your program. Simply use the build and run commands provided by the IDE. This method is straightforward and recommended for beginners due to its simplicity and integration of debugging tools.
2. Using the Command Line: For those who prefer working directly in the terminal, follow these steps:
   • Navigate to the directory containing your C file using cd path/to/your/file.
   • Compile your program by typing gcc yourprogram.c -o yourprogram. Replace yourprogram.c with the name of your C file and yourprogram with the desired name of the executable.
   • Run your compiled program by typing ./yourprogram on Unix/Linux or yourprogram.exe on Windows.

Comparing both methods, using an IDE can be more user-friendly, especially for beginners, as it automates several steps and includes integrated debugging features. However, learning to compile from the command line is invaluable for understanding the build process and enhancing your versatility as a programmer.