Is the C programming language still worth learning?

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Is the C programming language still worth learning? C is old (well by program language standards), and people often ask if it's worth learning, or if it's on its way out. This video talks about some of C's strengths and weaknesses.

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Welcome! I post videos that help you learn to program and become a more confident software developer. I cover beginner-to-advanced systems topics ranging from network programming, threads, processes, operating systems, embedded systems and others. My goal is to help you get under-the-hood and better understand how computers work and how you can use them to become stronger students and more capable professional developers.

About me: I'm a computer scientist, electrical engineer, researcher, and teacher. I specialize in embedded systems, mobile computing, sensor networks, and the Internet of Things. I teach systems and networking courses at Clemson University, where I also lead the PERSIST research lab.

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[sergeychistov]

As a python programmer, learning C have changed my mind and how I look at the code I'm making. So yes, It's worth it!

[tempura]

Having 2 semesters of pure C, learning how the memory works, implementing Data Structures and complex algorithms, helped me A LOT to understand programming in general, it's way easier to go to another language once you have done everything in C

[dimitrioskalfakis]

the things that C 'lacks' actually make you a better programmer since they force you to think and also use the language to its full extent so as to overcome the apparent weaknesses. after 50 years we can still claim that 'if C is good for UNIX it ought to be good for everything'.

[bonehelm]

I think C's age is a plus! It basically proves it's a great language. if it wasn't good it wouldn't have stuck around for so long.

[tir__]

Real engineering happens in companies where whole stack is based around C/C++ and low level languages

[Vixikats]

Learning C was the best thing I've ever done for my C++ programming. I get all of the benefits of a very fast workflow by being able to leveage C++'s standard library of features while being able to utilize the nitty gritty of C when I really need it. Learning C has pushed me into writing better C++ code because I'm now understanding what those abstracted C++ functions are doing under the hood and can make considerations for each.

[HansBezemer]

I like C because it's predictable. I mean, there are not that many layers between C and me. I have a pretty good idea what code it pushes out and how that will work out. With languages like Python, Rust and Java I'm always wondering "Yeah, but what's *really* happening? What does this thing under the hood? How many bugs are hiding there that I don't know of?"

[josephlandry]

Learning C was the best choice I’ve made. I don’t want to waste my time learning technologies that won’t be around in a few years.

[LogicEu]

Not only C is the grandfather of most modern languages, but it's also the corner stone of humanity's tech stack (Linux, Windows, MacOS, etc)

[oliverr]

The first language I learned was C on crappy linux machine. It really forces me to learn how language, compiler, linker, os, hardware, build system, and libraries work together. That learning process really help me a lot later when I was learning other language and many aspects of computer programming in general.

[Mad-Ramx_Dev]

Hi i am a up and coming C developer i just wanted to say i really appreciate this kind of content it helps me to better grasp things about my studies so ty so much!

[edgarbonet]

Great video! I would just like to add that, in the realm of embedded Linux, if you have a C cross-compiler targeting your board, that's all you need to build a complete system: bootloader, kernel, libc, shell, editor, command-line tools, Perl and Python interpreters, etc.

[notremarchedelafin]

I was a programmer from 1994 to 2002. Graduated in computer science from university of Montreal. I moved to another field of work in 2003. I was a C programmer. I still remember a lot of things, and I believe I could pick up programming again very fast. I knew (and still know. I have not forgotten) C++ as well, but not using it very much. I did many things in C that I cannot imagine how I would have done them without the "low-levelness" of C (dynamic hashing tables (dynamic matrices, 2 dimensions, double pointers). I think it was a major pain the the ass, sometimes, because OOP programing would have made the code clearer. Good ol times...

[pcuser]

C is the no.1 language for me. I do all in C even create gui programs for windows.

[alenmumo]

I'm not a C guy, however I ended up writing a thesis about web programming in C, just to realize by myself that there is not, and probably I wont ever know, any other language like this. It certainly rocks, it's certainly the winner at the poker table.

[kevinyonan]

A bonus I want to add to this video: Because C is simple, there's usually only one way to do things, and alot of behavior isn't hidden from you, memory bugs are actually pretty easy to debug, especially when using any standard debugging tool out there. Honestly, the only bad thing about C's age is its standard library. It has alot of useful stuff you'll need but its not-so-good design is definitely showing.

[loc]

From an educational perspective I find that C is a much better teacher of how a computer works behind the scenes, and I like that it forces learners to pay close attention to and understand what it is they are writing.

[asowers]

I spoke to an engineering manager at Lockheed Martin a few weeks ago who hadn’t even heard of Rust. Expect C to be around for as long as it’s been here for government and military applications.

[RedPotato]

Beginner programmer here, I'd say C is a fantastic first language tbh. The fact that it doesn't have a lot of the pre-built functions in it's libraries compared to other languages really makes the learning worth it since you basically need to make them by yourself. The way that I had to comprehend how memory work really increased my understanding when coding as well as improving how I view my code. Although other languages like Python can serve as an easier and more beginner friendly, C is in a threshold that's still doable by a beginner as well as providing a solid thinking process that will help when learning other languages. Learning programming by starting with C was probably one of the best choices I've made.

[suborno]

C is the reason how I learn about how classes and packages works.