Tales of the C: Retro Thoughts on the Seemingly Eternal Programming Language
a year ago
- #programming
- #retro-computing
- #C-language
- The C programming language was created by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie in the early 1970s to build Unix.
- Initially used in universities, C became widely adopted as computers became more powerful and students entered the business world.
- The book 'The C Programming Language' is concise and covers the fundamentals well, applicable to any programming language.
- C was practical and useful compared to other languages learned in college like Pascal, Schema, and Lisp.
- Early C compilers for 8-bit computers like the Atari were limited and often lacked standard features.
- The Atari ST had numerous C compilers, including Megamax C, Laser C, Mark Williams C, and Prospero C.
- C compilers were expensive in the 1980s, ranging from $150 to $300, equivalent to $400-$800 today.
- Public domain and low-cost C compilers like Sozobon C and GST C were available for those who couldn't afford expensive tools.
- C remains influential today, ranking #3 on the Tiobe index, and its syntax has influenced modern languages like C# and Swift.
- Originally considered a high-level language, C is now viewed as low-level, used for speed-critical applications.