How to Code in C

Co-authored by Tyrone Showers

Last Updated: July 18, 2025

This article's purpose is not to teach you C. Instead, its aim is to help you understand what it takes to be an efficient programmer in C.

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Each operating system has its own editors already installed (Windows has Notepad, Linux distributions have Kwrite etc), but consider getting another. Notepad++ is an excellent editor you can use (and not only to write C code).^{[1]
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If you have no programming experience, learning C might not be a good idea, for it is known to be a difficult and tricky language.

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Programming is a science that requires a lot of reading, patience, constant practising, versatility and an open mind.^{[2]
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Study example algorithms and the use of various libraries.
Ask more experienced programmers about various programming techniques, tips and tricks in C. There are more than one ways to code the same thing. Some of them are easier, some are more advanced. The way you write your code depends on your programming style.
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Don't bite more than you can chew. Start slowly and steady. Experience and skill comes with time.
Download free source code in C and start tweaking things, adding or removing lines etc. See what's happening and try to understand why it happened. No book will magically turn you into a programmer. If you don't practise and experiment, you will never learn.
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In order to execute your C programs, you are going to need a compiler like GCC. Let's say that you have a file named test.c, which you want to compile. Go to the directory of that file and type gcc test.c -o test^{[3]
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- gcc: the command that orders GCC to compile your code.
- test.c: the name of the file you want compiled.
- -o: a flag that stands for output. Tells GCC to actually compile your file.
- test: the name of your executable. Once compiled, type test to run it

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How do I get started with writing in C++?

Tyrone Showers
Software Development Expert
Tyrone Showers is a Technologist and the Co-owner of Taliferro Group, an IT consulting company based in Seattle, Washington. With over 35 years of professional experience, he specializes in API Design, e-Commerce, Operational Efficiency, and website development. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from DeVry Institute of Technology.

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To begin coding in C++, start by grasping fundamental programming concepts such as variables, data types, loops, and conditions—the essential building blocks applicable to any programming language, including C++. Obtain a C++ compiler and specialized software for translating your code into a format that is understandable and executable by your computer. For Windows, consider Microsoft Visual C++; for macOS, opt for Xcode. Once your compiler is set up, initiate basic programs, like one displaying "Hello, World!" on your screen. This initial exercise familiarizes you with coding processes like writing, compiling, and executing.

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Don't try to avoid mistakes; embrace them. Making mistakes is the most important part in learning how to program.

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Always add comments to your programs. Not only does this help others who might take a look at its source code, but also it helps you remember what you're writing and why. You may know what you're doing the moment that you're writing your code, but after two or three months, you won't remember much.

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Your source code needs to have a *.c extension, so that your compiler can understand that it's a C source file.

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