C in 30 Pages

C in 30 Pages

A Micro-Manual

by U.Q. Magnusson

——————€€€€€€€€€€€——————

Copyright 2013 U.Q.Magnusson

Smashwords Edition

——————€€€€€€€€€€€——————

Table of Contents

Introduction

Data and Code

Hello World

Weigh Station

Word Count

Conclusion

Introduction

Control the machine.

A simple statement, to be sure, but one that is maddeningly deceptive. If you’ve ever been flummoxed by programming your VCR, you know how dependent we’ve all become on digital technology. At the same time, we've become frustrated by our inability to control it. This is appalling, not the least because programming itself is so easy to understand.

Happily, learning to program is quite easy. It is one of those activities that, once you get past the initial setup, proceeds of its own course. A clear software program will make its progress evident, failing with every mistake, but letting you work it repeatedly until it completes, all the while learning what you need to do. Riding a bike could not be easier.

I believe that children as young as four are capable of learning programming. It requires only 1) an ability to take instruction, 2) an understanding of referential symbols (for instance, words), and 3) a willingness to consider an abstract series of logical steps to achieve a certain outcome. I admit that last one sounds a bit far-fetched for children. On the other hand, if a child can learn by doing anything, he can learn by doing this.

First, a few concepts.

——————€€€€€€€€€€€——————

Data and Code

The most basic property in programming, the atomic particle of computers, if you will, is the datum. What is a datum? A datum