What is C?

C is an imperative, high-level programming language known for its modularity, static typing, variety of data types and operators, recursion, and structured approach to tasks. Unlike many other early programming languages, C is machine independent and highly portable. For these reasons, developers have used it to build a variety of programs and systems, including the Linux kernel.

For more background on C and its use in Linux, please visit A Brief History of Linux.

A complete list of our development-related tutorials, questions, and other educational resources can be found on our development tag page.