What is C?

C is a general-purpose, procedural, high-level programming language used in the development of computer software and applications, system programming, games, web development, and more. C language was developed by Dennis M. Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1972. It is a powerful and flexible language which was first developed for the programming of the UNIX operating System. C is one of the most widely used programming language.

C programming language is known for its simplicity and efficiency. It is the best choice to start with programming as it gives you a foundational understanding of programming.

Application of C -:

Operating systems: C is widely used for developing operating systems such as Unix, Linux, and Windows.

Embedded systems: C is a popular language for developing embedded systems such as microcontrollers, microprocessors, and other electronic devices.

System software: C is used for developing system software such as device drivers, compilers, and assemblers.

Networking: C is widely used for developing networking applications such as web servers, network protocols, and network drivers.

Database systems: C is used for developing database systems such as Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.

Gaming: C is often used for developing computer games due to its ability to handle low-level hardware interactions.

Artificial Intelligence: C is used for developing artificial intelligence and machine learning applications such as neural networks and deep learning algorithms.

Scientific applications: C is used for developing scientific applications such as simulation software and numerical analysis tools.

Financial applications: C is used for developing financial applications such as stock market analysis and trading systems.

Please write comments if you find anything incorrect, or if you want to share more information about the topic discussed above.

Why Should We Learn C?

Many later languages have borrowed syntax/features directly or indirectly from the C language. Like syntax of Java, PHP, JavaScript, and many other languages are mainly based on the C language. C++ is nearly a superset of C language (Only a few programs may compile in C, but not in C++).

So,  if a person learns C programming first, it will help him to learn any modern programming language as well. As learning C help to understand a lot of the underlying architecture of the operating system. Like pointers, working with memory locations, etc.

What is Pro*C?

Pro*C means creating a program that is embedded with SQL statements. We can access the Oracle database with the help of Pro*C. The C programming language provides the flexibility for data processing by manipulating or retrieving the data from the Oracle database. Therefore, we can say that Pro*C allows C programming language to connect the C program with the Oracle database and do the manipulations according to our requirements.

How can we compile the Pro*C program?

Oracle software provides the PROC compiler (Oracle Precompiler), and this compiler takes the C program having embedded SQL statements.

What is Oracle precompiler?

An oracle precompiler is a programming tool that allows the user to embed the SQL statements in a high-level source program. This compiler takes the source program as input, replacing the embedded SQL statements with the oracle runtime library calls, and this modified program can now compile, link, and execute.

Why do we need the Pro*C compiler?

The Pro*C compiler allows you to embed the SQL statements in the C program, and it also provides the required user interface.

Unlike many other development tools, the Pro*C allows you to customize applications. It creates user interfaces that incorporate the latest windowing and mouse technology. Sometimes it is possible that we cannot generate the reports from other development tools, but we can achieve this by retrieving the data from the oracle database.

Embedded SQL statements

Here, embedded SQL means placing the SQL statements inside the source program. As we house the statements inside the C program, so C program is also known as the host program, and the language we use is known as the host language. The Pro*C provides the ability to embed the SQL statements inside the program.

Embedded SQL statements are of two types:

Executable statements

Directives

Executable statements

Executable statements are the SQL statements that allow you to manipulate the data in the Oracle database. These statements call the Oracle runtime library. It also allows your program to connect to the Oracle database, to define the query, to manipulate the data, and process the transactions. These statements are written where C executable statements can be placed.

• C Language – Overview
• C – Basic Syntax, Data-types and Variables
• C – Constants, Literals and Storage Classes
• C – Operators, Decision Making and Loops
• C – Functions, Scope Rules and Arrays
• C – Pointers, Strings and Structures
• C – Unions, Input and Output and File I/O
• C – Memory Management, Error Handling and Variable Arguments
• GDB Debugger
• Understanding SAR Reports
• Internal Process of C Program Compilation
• What is Pro*C ?
• Compiling the Pro*C program
• Need of Pro*C Compiler
• Embedded SQL statements
• PRO*C Syntax and Host Variables
• Dynamic vs Static SQL statements
• Error Handling
• Mini Project Using C & Pro*C