DATA CONCEPTS
1. Character set-
A character set is the collection of characters that the language recognizes and
uses to write programs.
Categories of Characters set
Characters divide into letters, digits, special symbols, whitespace, and control
codes.
Category Examples ASCII Range
Uppercase A–Z 65–90
letters
Lowercase a–z 97–122
letters
Digits 0–9 48–57
Special symbols !@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:'",./?~`<> 33–47, 58–64, 91–96,
123–126
Whitespace space, tab (\t), newline (\n) 9, 10, 32
Control chars \0 (null), \a (bell), \b (backspace), \r (return), \f 0–31, 127
(form feed)
2. Tokens
Tokens are the smallest individual units of a program that the compiler
recognizes.
3. Variable -
A variable is a named memory location whose value can change during program
execution.
4. Constant
A constant in C language is a fixed value that does not change during the
execution of a program. Once a constant is defined, its value remains the same
throughout the program.
Types of Constants in C
1. Integer Constants
Integer constants are whole numbers without any decimal point.
Examples:
10, -25, 0, 100
2. Floating-Point Constants
Floating constants are numbers containing a decimal point.
Examples:
3.14, -0.75, 2.0
3. Character Constants
A character constant is a single character enclosed in single quotes.
Examples:
'A', '9', '#'
4. String Constants
A string constant is a sequence of characters enclosed in double quotes.
Examples:
"Hello"
"C Programming"
5. Symbolic Constants
Symbolic constants are defined using the #define preprocessor directive.
Example:
#define PI 3.14
6. Constant Variables
A constant variable is declared using the const keyword. Its value cannot be
changed after initialization.
Example:
const int MAX = 100;
Advantages of Constants
Improve program readability
Prevent accidental modification of values
Make programs easier to maintain
Example Program
#include <stdio.h>
#define PI 3.14
int main() {
const int r = 5;
float area = PI * r * r;
printf("%f", area);
return 0;
}
Conclusion
Constants are important in C programming because they store fixed values and
help in writing safe, reliable, and well-structured programs.
5. DATA TYPES
Data types in C language specify the type of data a variable can store and
determine the amount of memory allocated to it.
Types of Data Types in C
1. Basic (Primary) Data Types
These are the fundamental data types.
int → stores integer values
float → stores decimal values
char → stores single character
double → stores large decimal values
Example:
int a;
float b;
char c;
2. Derived Data Types
Derived from basic data types.
Array
Pointer
Function
Example:
int arr[10];
int *p;
3. User-Defined Data Types
Created by the programmer.
struct
union
enum
typedef
4. Void Data Type
void represents no value
Used in functions that return nothing
Example:
void display();
6. Operators in C Language
Definition
Operators in C language are special symbols that are used to perform operations
on variables and constants. They tell the compiler what type of operation should
be performed on the data.
Types of Operators in C
1. Arithmetic Operators
Used to perform mathematical calculations.
Operator Meaning
+ Addition
- Subtraction
* Multiplication
/ Division
% Modulus
Example:
int a = 10, b = 3;
int c = a + b;
2. Relational Operators
Used to compare two values. The result is either true (1) or false (0).
Operator Meaning
< Less than
> Greater than
<= Less than or equal to
>= Greater than or equal to
== Equal to
!= Not equal to
3. Logical Operators
Used to combine or reverse logical expressions.
Operator Meaning
&& Logical AND
`
! Logical NOT
4. Assignment Operators
Used to assign values to variables.
Operator Example
= a = 10
+= a += 5
-= a -= 2
*= a *= 3
/= a /= 2
5. Increment and Decrement Operators
Used to increase or decrease a value by 1.
Operator Meaning
++ Increment
-- Decrement
Example:
a++;
b--;
6. Bitwise Operators
Used to perform operations at the bit level.
Operator Meaning
& Bitwise AND
` `
^ Bitwise XOR
~ Bitwise NOT
<< Left shift
>> Right shift
7. Conditional (Ternary) Operator
Used to make a decision in a single line.
Syntax
(condition) ? value1 : value2;
Example:
max = (a > b) ? a : b;
8. Special Operators
Used for special purposes.
Operator Use
sizeof Finds size of data type
, Comma operator
& Address operator
* Pointer operator
. Structure member access
Example Program
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 5, b = 2;
printf("%d", a + b);
return 0;
}
7. Arithmetic Operators in C Language
Definition
Arithmetic operators in C language are operators used to perform basic
mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division,
and modulus on variables and constants.
List of Arithmetic Operators in C
Operator Name Function
+ Addition Adds two operands
- Subtraction Subtracts one operand from another
* Multiplication Multiplies two operands
/ Division Divides one operand by another
% Modulus Returns remainder of division
Explanation with Examples
1. Addition Operator (+)
Adds two values.
int c = a + b;
2. Subtraction Operator (-)
Subtracts one value from another.
int c = a - b;
3. Multiplication Operator (*)
Multiplies two values.
int c = a * b;
4. Division Operator (/)
Divides one value by another.
int c = a / b;
If both operands are integers, the result is an integer.
5. Modulus Operator (%)
Gives the remainder after division.
int c = a % b;
Modulus operator works only with integers.
Example Program
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 10, b = 3;
printf("Addition = %d\n", a + b);
printf("Subtraction = %d\n", a - b);
printf("Multiplication = %d\n", a * b);
printf("Division = %d\n", a / b);
printf("Modulus = %d\n", a % b);
return 0;
}
Important Points
% operator cannot be used with float values
/ operator gives integer result when both operands are integers
Arithmetic operators are used in arithmetic expressions
8. Arithmetic Expressions in C Language
Definition
An arithmetic expression in C language is a combination of operands (variables or
constants) and arithmetic operators that evaluates to a numeric result.
Components of Arithmetic Expression
1. Operands – variables or constants
2. Arithmetic Operators – + , − , * , / , %
Examples of Arithmetic Expressions
a+b
x*y-5
(10 + 5) / 3
Types of Arithmetic Expressions
1. Simple Arithmetic Expression
Contains only one operator.
Example:
a+b
2. Compound Arithmetic Expression
Contains more than one operator.
Example:
a+b*c
3. Parenthesized Arithmetic Expression
Uses parentheses to change the order of evaluation.
Example:
(a + b) * c
Operator Precedence in Arithmetic Expressions
When an expression contains multiple operators, C follows operator precedence
rules.
Order of Precedence:
1. Parentheses ( )
2. Multiplication *, Division /, Modulus %
3. Addition +, Subtraction -
Example with Explanation
int result = 10 + 5 * 2;
Result = 20, because multiplication is performed before addition.
int result = (10 + 5) * 2;
Result = 30, because parentheses change the order of execution.
Example Program
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 10, b = 5, c = 2;
int result = a + b * c;
printf("%d", result);
return 0;
}
Conclusion
Arithmetic expressions are used to perform mathematical calculations in C
programs by combining operands and arithmetic operators following
precedence rules.
9. Declaring Variables in C Language
Definition
Declaring a variable in C language means specifying the data type and name of
the variable so that the compiler can allocate memory and understand how the
variable will be used in the program.
Purpose of Variable Declaration
To inform the compiler about the type of data
To allocate memory for the variable
To ensure type checking during compilation
Syntax of Variable Declaration
data_type variable_name;
Example
int a;
float marks;
char grade;
Declaration with Initialization
A variable can be declared and initialized at the same time.
int x = 10;
float pi = 3.14;
Multiple Variable Declaration
Multiple variables of the same data type can be declared in one statement.
int a, b, c;
Rules for Declaring Variables
Variable must be declared before use
Variable name must follow identifier rules
Keywords cannot be used as variable names
Variable names are case-sensitive
Scope of Variables
Variables declared inside a function are local variables
Variables declared outside all functions are global variables
Example Program
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int num;
num = 5;
printf("%d", num);
return 0;
}
10. Data Type Conversion in C Language
Definition
Data type conversion in C language is the process of converting a value from one
data type to another during program execution. This conversion helps in
performing operations between different data types correctly.
Need for Data Type Conversion
To perform operations between different data types
To avoid data loss
To get accurate results in expressions
To make programs more flexible and reliable
Types of Data Type Conversion in C
1. Implicit Type Conversion (Automatic Conversion)
Definition
Implicit type conversion is performed automatically by the compiler when
different data types are used in an expression.
Features
No programmer intervention required
Lower data type is converted into higher data type
Also known as type promotion
Example
int a = 10;
float b = 5.5;
float result = a + b;
Here, integer a is automatically converted into float.
2. Explicit Type Conversion (Type Casting)
Definition
Explicit type conversion is done manually by the programmer using a type casting
operator.
Syntax
(data_type) expression;
Example
int a = 5, b = 2;
float result = (float)a / b;
Without type casting, result would be 2, but after conversion it becomes 2.5.
Example Program
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int x = 7;
int y = 2;
float z;
z = (float)x / y;
printf("%f", z);
return 0;
}
Important Points
Implicit conversion is handled by the compiler
Explicit conversion is controlled by the programmer
Type casting helps prevent integer division problems
Improper conversion may lead to loss of data