Your First C Program

Posted on 02nd May 2013

In this chapter you will learn how to write a simple C program, how to compile and then execute it.

All examples in this tutorial are written and compiled on Windows platform using Visual Studio Express 2012 for Desktop Edition IDE. If you choose a different platform or IDE, please refer to your compiler\'s / IDE\'s documentation for help.

I. Writing your Program

Step 1: Open Visual Studio by clicking on the VS Express for Desktop icon on your start menu.

Step 2: Click File → New Project
Select Visual C++ from Templates and select Win32 Console Application.
Enter CTutorial in the name field.
Choose a folder location for your program.
Click OK.

Step 3: Click Next in the Win32 Application Wizard Welcome screen.

Step 4: Select Empty project and click Finish.

Step 5: In the Solution Explorer window of your project, right click Source Files. Select Add → New Item from the popup menu.

Step 6: In the Add New Item screen select C++ File. Enter the name FirstProgram.c and click Add
Note: C programs should have the filename extension .c

Step 7: Now you are all set to write to first c program. We can start with a basic program that prints a message. Key in the following program in your code window.
C is a case sensitive language. You should type this program as it is, using the correct case.

#include <stdio.h>
int main() 
{
	printf("Hello, I am an aspiring C Programmer");
	getchar();
	return (0);
}

II. Compiling your Program

To compile your program press CTRL+F7 or select BUILD → Compile option from the menu.
You should see the following message in the output window if your program compiled successfully.