Getting Started: Your First C Programs

Explain what a programming language is and why C is foundational for systems, embedded, and competitive programming.

Install a code editor (e.g., VS Code) and a C compiler toolchain (GCC/Clang/MinGW) for your operating system.

Write, compile, and run a 'Hello, World!' program from the editor's integrated terminal to verify the full setup.

Explain the role of each line in a basic C program: #include, main(), return, and statement terminators.

Use printf() to display formatted text, integers, floats, and characters.

Identify and fix common beginner errors: missing semicolons, unmatched braces, and undeclared identifiers.

Add single-line and multi-line comments to document code clearly.

Describe the four stages of building a C program: preprocessing, compilation, assembly, and linking.