Website uses cookies. Cookies remember your actions and preferences for a better online experience. We don`t share information with third parties without your knowledge.
The specialists at BizUPLab company continue to tell the story of the C programming language. As a reminder, the first part of our article discussed the preconditions for the emergence of C and its birth.
The C Programming Language: History. Part 2
Versatility and development
One of the most radical differences of C was its portability — the ability to work on a wide variety of devices. Instead of being tied to specific machines, the language was originally created as a high-level language that could be compiled for any architecture. This completely changed the very concept of programming and became one of the main reasons why C remains relevant to this day. It introduced the idea of code that exists outside the confines of a specific platform to the industry. It is this flexibility that has allowed it to remain relevant for decades.
C was not only a technical breakthrough, but also changed the culture of programming. Before its advent, languages were mostly highly specialised tools created for specific tasks and machines. C, on the other hand, turned out to be universal — like a set of reliable tools in a developer's toolbox. It could be used in almost any field, from operating systems to scientific calculations.
C was not only a technical breakthrough, but also changed the culture of programming. Before its advent, languages were mostly highly specialised tools created for specific tasks and machines. C, on the other hand, turned out to be universal — like a set of reliable tools in a developer's toolbox. It could be used in almost any field, from operating systems to scientific calculations.
Distribution and popularisation
In the 1970s, universities, research centres, and commercial companies actively implemented Unix as a working environment, and with it, C as the default language. One of the key events was the publication in 1978 of The C Programming Language, written by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie. This book turned out to be more than just a language guide. It set out a philosophy of coding: how to write clearly, quickly and efficiently. For programmers of that time, it was a real ‘bible,’ and its influence is still felt today.
Over the years, C has not remained stuck in the past, according to experts at BizUPLab Budapest. It has evolved alongside technology, gained new capabilities, and strengthened its position as the primary language for creating operating systems, compilers, and other low-level components. Its ability to directly access memory and work with pointers has made it indispensable where complete control over the system is required — from microcontrollers to network devices.
Over the years, C has not remained stuck in the past, according to experts at BizUPLab Budapest. It has evolved alongside technology, gained new capabilities, and strengthened its position as the primary language for creating operating systems, compilers, and other low-level components. Its ability to directly access memory and work with pointers has made it indispensable where complete control over the system is required — from microcontrollers to network devices.
New versions and dialects appeared based on C. The most famous offshoot was C++, developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in the 1980s. This was not just an extension, but a complete rethinking: C++ added object-oriented programming while retaining the reliable foundation of C. The result was a more flexible and powerful tool. Both languages developed in parallel, complementing each other and inspiring new generations of programmers.
Today, C remains one of the pillars of the industry. The kernels of Linux, Windows, and other operating systems are written in it. It is still used for development, embedded software, drivers, and systems where speed, stability, and control are critical. For students and novice professionals, it is often the first serious language they learn. Behind its strictness lies minimalism, precision, and clear logic, which help to understand the inner workings of computers at a deep level.
Today, C remains one of the pillars of the industry. The kernels of Linux, Windows, and other operating systems are written in it. It is still used for development, embedded software, drivers, and systems where speed, stability, and control are critical. For students and novice professionals, it is often the first serious language they learn. Behind its strictness lies minimalism, precision, and clear logic, which help to understand the inner workings of computers at a deep level.
Evolution and legacy
C has its weaknesses. Its syntax is strict and prone to errors, especially when working with pointers and memory. Modern languages offer more convenience: automatic resource management, built-in security, and rich libraries. But despite this, C has not lost its relevance. Its efficiency and direct access to system resources make it indispensable even today.
The influence of C can be felt in every modern language, according to the developers at BizUPLab. Direct access to memory, resource management, structured program architecture — all of this came from it. Even Python or JavaScript, which seem far removed from C, carry the ideas inherent in this language, albeit in a veiled form. It can be said that C set the rules of the game, and other languages merely adapted them to new tasks.
When a programmer writes code in C, they become part of a tradition that dates back to the dawn of the digital age. It is the language with which the modern digital world was built. And although it is not the only one, its history is one of the most fascinating and significant in the world of programming.
The influence of C can be felt in every modern language, according to the developers at BizUPLab. Direct access to memory, resource management, structured program architecture — all of this came from it. Even Python or JavaScript, which seem far removed from C, carry the ideas inherent in this language, albeit in a veiled form. It can be said that C set the rules of the game, and other languages merely adapted them to new tasks.
When a programmer writes code in C, they become part of a tradition that dates back to the dawn of the digital age. It is the language with which the modern digital world was built. And although it is not the only one, its history is one of the most fascinating and significant in the world of programming.
Vulnerabilities and relevance today
We help business people manage their resources efficiently and systematically achieve success.
1114 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 66. 3. em. 4.
info@bizuplab.com
info@bizuplab.com
Contact Info
Copyright © BizUPLab, 2023 - 2025