C Programming: Pointers and Memory Management

In this course, we will examine a key concept, foundational to any programming language: the usage of memory.

This course builds upon the basic concept of pointers, discussed in C Programming: Modular Programming and Memory Management, and introduces the more advanced usage of pointers and pointer arithmetic. Arrays of pointers and multidimensional arrays are addressed, and you will learn how to allocate memory for your own data during program execution. This is called dynamic memory allocation at runtime using pointers.

Within moments you will be coding hands-on in a browser tool developed for this course, receiving instant feedback on your code. No need to install anything!

Why learn C and not another programming language? Did you know that smartphones, your car’s navigation system, robots, drones, trains, and almost all electronic devices have some C-code running under the hood? C is used in any circumstance where speed and flexibility are important, such as in embedded systems or high-performance computing.

In this course, you will also gain experience with programming concepts that are foundational to any programming language.

At the end of this course, you will reach the fourth milestone in the C Programming with Linux Specialization, unlocking the door to a career in computer engineering.

Your job Outlook:

- Programmers, developers, engineers, managers, and related industries within scientific computing and data science;

- Embedded systems such as transportation, utility networks, and aerospace;

- Robotics industry and manufacturing;

- IoT (Internet of Things) used in smart homes, automation, and wearables.

- IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology, ranks C as third of the top programming languages of 2021 in demand by employers. (Source: IEEE Spectrum)

This course has received financial support from the Patrick & Lina Drahi Foundation.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome

Let's start coding! You will get familiar with the leaning tools our team has developed to make learning code easier.

Week 1: Memory and pointers

By the end of Week 1, you will be able to both visualize the concept of a pointer in memory and use pointers in functions with simple pointer arithmetic. You will also demonstrate that an array name is a pointer performing pointer arithmetic and will create functions that accept and modify arrays.

Week 2: Multidimensional arrays

By the end of Week 2, you will be able to deference pointers using array notation and star notation. You will also be able to store multiple strings in an array and manipulate matrices.

Week 3: Dynamic memory allocation

By the end of Week 3, you will be able to distinguish between the stack and the heap memory spaces. You will also be able to allocate and deallocate memory programmatically in the heap for arrays.

Concluding the course

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by instructors recognized for their expertise in programming

Provides a comprehensive foundation in C programming, which is highly relevant in many industries

Reinforces essential concepts in C programming, such as memory management, pointers, and arrays

Recommended for individuals looking to strengthen their foundation in C programming or prepare for a career in computer engineering

Requires prior knowledge of C programming concepts and proficiency in using a command-line interface

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in C Programming: Pointers and Memory Management - 4 with these activities:

Find a mentor who can provide guidance on C programming

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A mentor can provide valuable guidance and support throughout your learning journey.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Identify potential mentors who have experience in C programming
Reach out to your identified mentors and request their guidance

Review basic data structures and algorithms

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A solid understanding of data structures and algorithms is essential for working with pointers. Reviewing these concepts will strengthen your foundation.

Browse courses on Data Structures

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Review notes or online resources on data structures and algorithms
Practice implementing basic data structures and algorithms in C

Read 'Pointers in C' by Yashavant Kanetkar

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of pointers in C. Reading it will supplement the concepts taught in this course.

View Let Us C Solutions - 17th Edition: Authenticate... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Complete the exercises and examples provided in the book

Five other activities

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Try coding out the examples from the course

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The examples shown in the course are small and typically do not account for edge cases. Repetition of these examples with different values for input will help you gain a stronger grasp of the concept being taught.

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Identify an example shown in the course
Change values of inputs and try to predict the outcomes
Test your predictions and compare to the actual outcome
Attempt to make the example more robust by accounting for more edge cases and conditions

Explore other tutorials on the same topics

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This course focuses on the foundational concepts of pointers in C. Digging deeper into the topic with additional resources will expose you to various approaches and perspectives on the subject matter.

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Identify other resources and tutorials on the topic
Review these resources and compare them to the course material
Try out the exercises and examples provided in these resources

Create a presentation on pointers and their applications

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Creating a presentation will help you organize your thoughts and improve your communication skills.

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Gather information about pointers and their applications
Organize your information into a logical flow
Create visual aids and slides
Practice your presentation

Build a small program that uses pointers

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Using pointers in a real-world context will solidify your understanding of the concepts taught in this course.

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Identify a small problem that can be solved using pointers
Design and implement a solution using pointers
Test and debug your program
Refine and improve your program

Contribute to open source projects that use pointers

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Contributing to open source projects is a great way to not only practice your skills but also learn from others.

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Identify open source projects that use pointers
Review the codebase and identify areas where you can contribute
Make changes to the codebase and submit a pull request
Respond to feedback and iterate on your changes

Career center

Learners who complete C Programming: Pointers and Memory Management - 4 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain code for a variety of applications, from simple scripts to complex enterprise systems. C programming is a popular choice for developing high-performance applications due to its efficiency and low-level control. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in C programming, enabling you to write efficient and reliable code for various applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop electronic systems that are embedded in larger mechanical or electrical systems. C programming is widely used in embedded systems development due to its efficiency and low-level control. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of C programming concepts, enabling you to create embedded systems that meet performance and reliability requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and maintain robots. C programming is widely used in robotics for tasks such as developing robot control systems, navigation algorithms, and image processing algorithms. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of C programming concepts, enabling you to create efficient and reliable robotic systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software systems. This course will help you build a foundation in C programming, which is a popular language used in developing operating systems, embedded systems, and other performance-critical applications. The course covers concepts such as pointers, memory management, and dynamic memory allocation, which are essential for writing efficient and reliable software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks. C programming is used in network programming for tasks such as developing network protocols, network management tools, and embedded systems for network devices. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of C programming concepts, enabling you to create efficient and reliable network solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design computer systems, including hardware and software. They work closely with end-users to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course will help you develop a deep understanding of C programming, which is often used in systems programming and operating system development. The course covers topics such as memory management and dynamic memory allocation, which are crucial for building robust and efficient systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Game Developer

Game Developers design, develop, and maintain video games. C programming is a popular choice for developing high-performance games due to its efficiency and low-level control. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in C programming, enabling you to write efficient and reliable code for various game development tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data in various forms, both structured and unstructured. C programming is sometimes used in data science for tasks such as data cleaning, feature engineering, and model optimization. This course will provide you with a foundation in C programming, which can be beneficial for certain aspects of data science work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. C programming is sometimes used in security applications for tasks such as developing security protocols, encryption algorithms, and intrusion detection systems. This course will provide you with a foundation in C programming, which can be beneficial for certain aspects of security engineering work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites and web applications. While C programming is not commonly used in web development, understanding C programming concepts can be beneficial for certain tasks, such as developing high-performance web servers or optimizing code for embedded devices. This course will provide you with a foundation in C programming, which can complement your web development skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. While C programming is not commonly used in database administration, understanding C programming concepts can be beneficial for certain tasks, such as developing custom database tools or optimizing database performance. This course will provide you with a foundation in C programming, which can complement your database administration skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. C programming knowledge is not typically required for technical writers, but it can be beneficial for certain tasks, such as writing documentation for software developers or embedded systems engineers. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of C programming concepts, which may be helpful in certain technical writing roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. C programming knowledge is typically not required for project managers, but it can be beneficial in certain projects, such as those involving software development or embedded systems. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of C programming concepts, which may be helpful in certain project management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and develop solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. C programming knowledge is typically not required for business analysts, but it can be beneficial in certain roles, such as those involving data analysis or software development. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of C programming concepts, which may be helpful in certain business analyst roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. C programming knowledge is typically not required for marketing managers, but it can be beneficial in certain roles, such as those involving digital marketing or data analysis. This course can provide you with a basic understanding of C programming concepts, which may be helpful in certain marketing management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager