Why Is C Programming Language Still in Trend?

It is interesting to note that after several years, C programming still rules the world. In fact, there is hardly any technology innovation that has lasted five decades, but C programming is waxing stronger. Suffice to mention that a large percentage of the C projects that are still in existence were initiated decades ago. Let’s take UNIX OS as an example. The UNIX OS development was launched in 1969 and it got its code rewritten in C by 1972. In actual fact, they created the C language intending to move the UNIX kernel from just assembly to a higher-level language so it could perform the same functions with minimal code lines.

The Oracle database, on the other hand, started its establishment in 1977. Just like in the case of the UNIX operating system, its code was rewritten in C in 1983. The Oracle database has become one of the most famous data banks across the world. Windows 1.0 was launched in 1985. Even though the source code of Windows is not available to the public, it has been revealed that its kernel is majorly written in the C programming language, with some parts written in assembly. There is also Linux Kernel, whose development was initiated in 1991. This was written in C from scratch. The following year, Linux was released under the GNU license. It was used as a part of GNU OS. It is important to point out that the GNU operating system itself was launched with the use of C and Lisp computer languages, which means a lot of its components were developed in C.

Now, C programming is not restricted to the projects that were initiated many decades ago at the time when there were a limited number of artificial languages. The fact is that there are many projects today that were started with C. No doubt, there are excellent reasons for the choice.

How Does C Programming Rule the World?

Even though many other higher-level languages are more popular, C programming has continued to equip the world. There are many systems used by millions of people around the world, whose language is C. Let’s look at these in detail.

• Microsoft Windows

The Microsoft Windows kernel is created majorly with the help of C programming. The other parts are written in assembly. Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system for many decades. Boasting about 90% market share, its Windows kernel was written in C.

• Linux

Most parts of Linux are also written in C. More than 95% of the 500 most powerful supercomputers in the world are functioning with the Linux kernel. Additionally, it is also used in many personal computers.

• MAC

The X kernel operating system is written majorly in C. This means that the MAC computers also have the C programming language to thank for its kernel. Just like the Linux and Windows computers, every driver and program functioning in the Mac system is powered by the C-written kernel.

• Mobiles

All major mobile devices, including Windows Phone, Android, and IOS, have their kernels written in C. Suffice to mention that these devices are simply mobile adaptations of the current Windows, Linux, and Mac OS kernels.

• Databases

Some of the most popular and widely used databases, such as Oracle Database, MS SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL, are all coded in C. As a matter of fact, the first three of these mentioned data banks are coded in both the C and C++ programming languages. The databases are utilized in different types of systems, including government, financial, telecommunications, social networks, media, education, entertainment, web, retail, and education.

• 3D Movies

The applications used in creating 3D movies are mostly written in the C and C++ languages. The apps have to be fast and highly efficient because they deal with a large amount of data and carry out numerous calculations in split second. The more effective these applications are, the shorter the time they will require for the animators and artists to produce movie shots, which ultimately translate into high-cost savings for the company.

• Embedded Systems

There are numerous other systems that have C programming embedded in them. For instance, the alarm clocks are most likely functioning in C. A coffee maker and a microwave are embedded systems, which means they are programmed in C. Radio, TV, and remote control are all embedded systems and they are most likely running in C. Probably you might be shocked by the fact that to this list you can add your car. Especially if it has specific features, including automatic transmission, sensors (temperature, oxygen, oil level, and so on), dashboard display, automatic stability control, antilock brakes, memory for seats & mirror settings, cruise control, airbag control, keyless entry, heated seats, childproof locks, and climate control. The list goes on and on.

Reasons Why C Programming Language Is Still in Use

Today, a lot of artificial languages have been created to help the developers become more efficient than what is obtainable with C. Many higher-level languages offer bigger built-in libraries that make working with UI, XML, JSON, client requests, web pages, media manipulation, and database connections more simplified. In spite of all these, there are still many reasons why the C programming language has remained very active for decades. Some of these reasons include:

• Portability and Efficiency
• Memory Manipulation
• Dynamic Usage of Resources
• Code Size

Undoubtedly, there is no single size that fits all in computer languages but C programming has remained unbeatable and highly valuable for specific applications.

Conclusion

The C programming language will continue to thrive and rule because of all that it has to offer. Whatever artificial languages are learned by the professionals, it is highly recommended that they include C in the mix. There are various benefits associated with knowing how to work with this computer language. These include lingua franca for the developers, understanding the machine, and the ability to work on many projects. Interestingly, C is easy to learn.

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• Tags: c, C language, C programming, UNIX