Build practical programming and technology skills

C Programming Fundamentals

Write, compile, debug, and test C programs while managing arrays, strings, pointers, structures, files, dynamic memory, and input safely.

View curriculum

FoundationDifficulty

30 hoursEstimated time

8 modules32 lessons

5 guided labsKnowledge check

Plan your learning

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Systems · C Programming Fundamentals
Systems · Compilation And C Program Structure
Systems · Variables Types And Operators
Systems · Conditions Loops And Functions
Systems · Arrays Strings And Pointers
Systems · Structures And Data Organization

Prerequisites

Programming Foundations

Tools

A current web browser
A code editor or terminal appropriate to the path
A safe local or virtual lab environment

Before you begin

What you need

Programming Foundations

Step-by-step curriculum

Learning modules

Complete lessons in order or open the module that matches your current goal. Your lesson progress is saved on this device.

01Compilation and C Program StructureBuild practical skill in compilation and c program structure and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Compilation and C Program Structure: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Compilation and C Program Structure in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Compilation and C Program Structure in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Compilation and C Program Structure safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Compilation and C Program Structure Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a small typed program using the module feature, compile with warnings enabled, test a boundary input, and explain one compiler or runtime diagnostic.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Compilation and C Program Structure Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Compilation and C Program Structure, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Safe

Guided Lab: Compilation and C Program Structure in C Programming Fundamentals

C Programming Fundamentals — Compilation and C Program Structure lab: Build a small typed program using the module feature, compile with warnings enabled, test a boundary input, and explain one compiler or runtime diagnostic.

Not started

02Variables, Types, and OperatorsBuild practical skill in variables, types, and operators and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Variables, Types, and Operators: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Variables, Types, and Operators in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Variables, Types, and Operators in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Variables, Types, and Operators safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Variables, Types, and Operators Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a small typed program using the module feature, compile with warnings enabled, test a boundary input, and explain one compiler or runtime diagnostic.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Variables, Types, and Operators Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Variables, Types, and Operators, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Variables, Types, and Operators in C Programming Fundamentals

C Programming Fundamentals — Variables, Types, and Operators lab: Build a small typed program using the module feature, compile with warnings enabled, test a boundary input, and explain one compiler or runtime diagnostic.

Not started

03Conditions, Loops, and FunctionsBuild practical skill in conditions, loops, and functions and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Conditions, Loops, and Functions: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Conditions, Loops, and Functions in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Conditions, Loops, and Functions in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Conditions, Loops, and Functions safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Conditions, Loops, and Functions Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Conditions, Loops, and Functions Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Conditions, Loops, and Functions, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Conditions, Loops, and Functions in C Programming Fundamentals

C Programming Fundamentals — Conditions, Loops, and Functions lab: Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

Not started

04Arrays, Strings, and PointersBuild practical skill in arrays, strings, and pointers and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Arrays, Strings, and Pointers: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Arrays, Strings, and Pointers in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Arrays, Strings, and Pointers in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Arrays, Strings, and Pointers safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Arrays, Strings, and Pointers Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Store a small dataset in an appropriate collection, update it, search it, and explain why the chosen structure fits.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Arrays, Strings, and Pointers Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Arrays, Strings, and Pointers, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Arrays, Strings, and Pointers in C Programming Fundamentals

C Programming Fundamentals — Arrays, Strings, and Pointers lab: Store a small dataset in an appropriate collection, update it, search it, and explain why the chosen structure fits.

Not started

05Structures and Data OrganizationBuild practical skill in structures and data organization and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Structures and Data Organization: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Structures and Data Organization in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Structures and Data Organization in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Structures and Data Organization safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Structures and Data Organization Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a small typed program using the module feature, compile with warnings enabled, test a boundary input, and explain one compiler or runtime diagnostic.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Structures and Data Organization Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Structures and Data Organization, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Structures and Data Organization in C Programming Fundamentals

C Programming Fundamentals — Structures and Data Organization lab: Build a small typed program using the module feature, compile with warnings enabled, test a boundary input, and explain one compiler or runtime diagnostic.

Not started

06Dynamic Memory ManagementBuild practical skill in dynamic memory management and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Dynamic Memory Management: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Dynamic Memory Management in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Dynamic Memory Management in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Dynamic Memory Management safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Dynamic Memory Management Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Create a small program that allocates or owns a resource, passes access safely, and releases it without leaks or dangling access.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Dynamic Memory Management Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Dynamic Memory Management, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

07Files, Errors, and Defensive InputBuild practical skill in files, errors, and defensive input and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Files, Errors, and Defensive Input: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Files, Errors, and Defensive Input in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Files, Errors, and Defensive Input in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Files, Errors, and Defensive Input safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Files, Errors, and Defensive Input Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Read a small text or JSON file, transform one value, write a new output file, and handle a missing input.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Files, Errors, and Defensive Input Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Files, Errors, and Defensive Input, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

08Debugging, Testing, and Build ToolsBuild practical skill in debugging, testing, and build tools and connect it to the outcomes of C Programming Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools in C Programming Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools in C Programming Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Write a small test suite for one function, service, route, or component with success and failure cases.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Portfolio integration

Capstone Project

Build a File-Based C Record Manager

Combine the path skills in a portfolio-ready project with clear functional requirements, tests, verification evidence, and operating notes.

GuidedIndependentPortfolio

Acceptance criteria

The core workflow works from start to finish.
Invalid input or failure states are handled clearly.
The result is tested and documented.
A reviewer can reproduce the setup and verification.

Continue in Programming

Related Programming

Skill assessment

C Programming Fundamentals

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Prerequisites

Tools

What you need

Learning modules

Compilation and C Program Structure: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Compilation and C Program Structure in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Compilation and C Program Structure Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Compilation and C Program Structure Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Compilation and C Program Structure in C Programming Fundamentals

Variables, Types, and Operators: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Variables, Types, and Operators in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Variables, Types, and Operators Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Variables, Types, and Operators Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Variables, Types, and Operators in C Programming Fundamentals

Conditions, Loops, and Functions: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Conditions, Loops, and Functions in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Conditions, Loops, and Functions Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Conditions, Loops, and Functions Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Conditions, Loops, and Functions in C Programming Fundamentals

Arrays, Strings, and Pointers: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Arrays, Strings, and Pointers in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Arrays, Strings, and Pointers Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Arrays, Strings, and Pointers Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Arrays, Strings, and Pointers in C Programming Fundamentals

Structures and Data Organization: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Structures and Data Organization in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Structures and Data Organization Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Structures and Data Organization Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Structures and Data Organization in C Programming Fundamentals

Dynamic Memory Management: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Dynamic Memory Management in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Dynamic Memory Management Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Dynamic Memory Management Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Files, Errors, and Defensive Input: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Files, Errors, and Defensive Input in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Files, Errors, and Defensive Input Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Files, Errors, and Defensive Input Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools: Core Concepts for C Programming Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools in C Programming Fundamentals

Build a Practical Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools Example in C Programming Fundamentals

Debug Common Debugging, Testing, and Build Tools Problems in C Programming Fundamentals

Capstone Project

Build a File-Based C Record Manager

Acceptance criteria

Test your understanding

Related Programming

Check your starting point

Plan the capstone

Explore related paths