What do I need to program in C

[dw5437]

I am going to be very dangerous shortly (I hope). I just got a book on programming in C language. What do I
need to install to use C ? I am not new to Linux but I havent done any programming since I started using Basic
several years ago and I have forgotten all of that.

[mwette]

Make sure you have c compiler installed. As root type "yum install gcc".
Then, as user, edit a file "hello.c" and type:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("hello, world\n");
}

Then at the command prompt, type
bash$ gcc -o hello hello.c
bash$ hello
hello, world
bash$

[dw5437]

Make sure you have c compiler installed. As root type "yum install gcc".
Then, as user, edit a file "hello.c" and type:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("hello, world\n");
}

Then at the command prompt, type
bash$ gcc -o hello hello.c
bash$ hello
hello, world
bash$

Thanks alot for the prompt reply. Worked like a champ.

[daihard]

Allow me to be nit-picky...

int main() {
printf("hello, world\n");
return 0;
}

[compwizzer]

Congrats on wanting to learning C. As you get the hang of it you'll see what an asset it is just to be familiar with. I started with basic(gwbasic) too. Then moved to Visual Basic (yea I know shame on me). Eventually I learned C, then then C++, then PHP and now I'm curious about Python. Understanding C can make it easier to learn a lot of other languages, I think anyways.

Just start small, like with Hello World. Then gradually add to your knowlege with time. Your frustrations will teach you a lot about programming in general. Which will pay for itself by helping you understand why programs do what they do. ( and shouldn't do)
Remember to keep a reference handy while you program and don't be ashamed to need it. Ever.

[InKo]

what about knowledge?

a good tutorial?
I think it is pretty good to start with C http://beej.us/guide/bgc/

[linmix]

Nice link. Fun to read. I might just give it a try.

[InKo]

I like the guide to Network Programming of him(http://beej.us/guide/bgnet/)...
very recommenable!

[ibbo]

I like the guide to Network Programming of him(http://beej.us/guide/bgnet/)...

Thats the one I used to get to grips with socket programming. Good tutorial but for me a copy of the gnu gcc manual was very helpfull along with this site http://www.advancedlinuxprogramming.com/.

Never did find anything half decent on rpcgen and coding for that though.

Ibbo

[linux_au]

I am going to be very dangerous shortly (I hope). I just got a book on programming in C language. What do I
need to install to use C ? I am not new to Linux but I havent done any programming since I started using Basic
several years ago and I have forgotten all of that.

I assume your using Fedora 5, so I suggest using Pup (Applications->Add/Remove Software). Select Development and check Development Libraries, Development Tools, Gnome Software Development and if you've got any interest in java Java Development and Eclipse, maybe X software Development for some addtional libraries

[Trek1701]

For someone that only used VHDL and now want to learn a programming language should this person learn what first? C or C++?

Tnx.

[dw5437]

Thanks for the help and helpful links. I hope eventually to be able to do some serious programming in a
couple of years. I kind of hope to jump from C to python but dont know if that is wise. My book says that
C and C++ are practicaly the same.

[compwizzer]

Trek1701, C++ may be easier to learn but I suggest learning both. It won't be too hard to do, in fact I picked up the basics of both languages in under a month.

My tip for all those learning programing, is to always keep a reference handy - even profesional programmers don't code blindly.

Also I'd like to share my point of view about how programing is really a form of art. You master the techniques of it and then apply them creatively, just like photographers or writers.

[csfalcon]

Also I'd like to share my point of view about how programing is really a form of art. You master the techniques of it and then apply them creatively, just like photographers or writers.

well said!

[Flounder]

For someone that only used VHDL and now want to learn a programming language should this person learn what first? C or C++?

Tnx.

I have found C to be easier for instance a hello world program in C looks like this:

#include <stdio.h>
main()
{
printf("Hello World!\n");
}

Where as a C++ version is more like this:

#include <iostream>
int main()
{
using namespace std;
cout << "Hello World" << endl;
return 0;
}

C++ is harder to mess up in as far as I know. But when I have messed up I have found I need to restructure the whole program again in some of the worst cases. In C I didn't end up doing that. Also C is more used for nix programming than C++ from what I've noticed so you may want to learn C.