C Programming: Modular Programming and Memory Management

Enhance your coding skills along your path to becoming a proficient C programmer with the essential concepts of functions and pointers.

In this course you will be introduced to the concept of modular programming: that is, dividing up more complex tasks into manageable pieces.

You will learn how to write your own functions (just like functions in mathematics for example). You will also gain insight into a computer's architecture and learn how its memory is organized.

Given the vast amount of memory computers have these days, how does your program remember where a certain variable is stored? This brings about the important topic of how memory is efficiently addressed inside a computer, and with it, the topic of pointers.

Pointers are often considered the most difficult part and main struggle for C program developers. We will introduce you to this central topic with our novel and innovative visualization tools and show you precisely how pointers work. No need to struggle! You will receive instant feedback on your code right within your browser.

The programming concepts you will gain in this course are foundational to any programming language. C is a foundational programming language taught at engineering schools around the world, and represents one of the building blocks of modern computer information technology. Invented in the 1970’s. It is still one of the most stable and popular programming languages in the world.

By the end of this course, you will have reached the third mile stone in the C Programming with Linux Specialization program, 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: Functions and recursion

This week, you will to decompose a more complex program into various functions. To do this, you will learn to create functions, write function calls and prototypes, call on functions, and have functions return specific values.

Week 2: Memory and the scope of variables

This week you will know more of the Von Neumann architecture model. You will recall how computer memory is organized and addressed, use the sizeof() functions with variables of different types, recognize overflow and roundoff errors, and identify the scope of a variable.

Week 3: Pointers

This week, you will visualize, describe, and utilize points using simple pointer arithmetic. You will be able to create functions to which arrays can be passed and that can modify arrays.

Concluding the course

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops foundational programming skills in C, a core building block of computer science

Taught by instructors with proven expertise in C programming

Provides insights into computer memory architecture and pointer usage, critical concepts in C programming

Emphasizes modular programming techniques, essential for handling complex tasks in software development

May require previous programming experience or familiarity with C syntax

Uses innovative visualization tools to simplify the understanding of pointers, a challenging topic for many learners

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: Modular Programming and Memory Management - 3 with these activities:

Review the C Programming Language by Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie

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Reinforce your understanding of C programming fundamentals by reviewing a foundational text.

View C Programming Language, 2nd Edition on Amazon

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Read the first two chapters of the book.
Summarize the key concepts introduced in those chapters.
Identify any areas where you need additional clarification.

LeetCode Practice Problems

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Enhance your problem-solving skills and solidify your understanding of C programming concepts through regular practice.

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Solve at least one LeetCode problem each day.
Review the solutions to the problems you solved.
Identify areas for improvement in your problem-solving approach.

Join a Study Group for C Programming

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Collaborate with fellow learners to enhance your understanding, improve retention, and gain different perspectives.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Find or create a study group with other students taking the course.
Meet regularly to discuss course material.
Work together on practice problems.

Two other activities

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Contribute to Open Source C Projects

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Gain practical experience and showcase your skills by contributing to real-world C programming projects.

Browse courses on Open Source Projects

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Identify open source C projects that align with your interests.
Find a suitable issue or feature to work on.
Contribute your code and participate in code reviews.

Build a Simple Text Editor

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Apply your knowledge of C programming to create a practical project that demonstrates your skills.

Browse courses on Text Editor

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Design the architecture of your text editor.
Implement the core functionality of the text editor, such as opening, saving, and editing text.
Add additional features, such as syntax highlighting or line numbering.
Test and debug your text editor.

Career center

Learners who complete C Programming: Modular Programming and Memory Management - 3 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers will benefit from this course as it provides a deep dive into C programming, memory management, pointers, and functions. These concepts are essential for developing efficient and reliable embedded systems that meet the constraints of resource-constrained devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers who are interested in developing their C programming skills and gaining a comprehensive understanding of memory management, pointers, and functions will find this course highly beneficial. It provides a solid foundation for building complex and efficient software solutions.

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Computer Programmer

This course will provide a strong foundation for Computer Programmers who wish to develop their C programming skills. It covers essential concepts such as functions, pointers, and memory management, enabling them to create efficient and reliable software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Software Developer

As this course will provide a strong base in functions and modular programming, Software Developers can benefit from the knowledge offered. This course can aid in navigating the complexity of software development and build upon the foundational concepts used in developing software programs, making it easier to manage and maintain large-scale software projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Web Developer

Web Developers can benefit from this course as it delves into the core concepts of C programming, including functions, pointers, and memory management. Understanding these concepts is crucial for developing robust and efficient web applications, providing a competitive advantage in the field.

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Systems Administrator

This course is recommended for Systems Administrators who are responsible for deploying and maintaining C-based software systems. By gaining a deep understanding of memory management, pointers, and functions, they can optimize system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure smooth system operations.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers who wish to develop their C programming skills and gain a thorough understanding of memory management, pointers, and functions will find this course highly valuable. These concepts are crucial for developing sophisticated and autonomous robotic systems.

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Computer Network Architect

For Computer Network Architects, this course offers insights into the underlying mechanisms and protocols of computer networks. By understanding C programming, memory management, pointers, and functions, they can design, implement, and optimize network architectures that meet the demands of modern computing environments.

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Information Security Analyst

This course can be useful for Information Security Analysts who wish to develop their skills in C programming and gain a deeper understanding of memory management, pointers, and functions. These concepts are essential for understanding the inner workings of computer systems and securing them against threats.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

To succeed in the role of Quality Assurance Analyst, a solid understanding of programming concepts is important. This course offers a deep dive into C programming, memory management, pointers, and functions. By gaining proficiency in these areas, a Quality Assurance Analyst can effectively evaluate and improve software quality.

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Computer Systems Analyst

This course could prove useful to those who wish to enter the field of Computer Systems Analysis, and who wish to develop their skills in software development and programming. The course will help build a strong foundation that will be necessary to succeed in this field, and may provide a competitive edge for those seeking to enter it.

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Technical Writer

This course would be helpful for a Technical Writer who covers computer science or programming topics. It can aid in translating complex technical concepts into understandable language, enabling the creation of clear and accurate documentation and training materials.

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Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers will find this course to be helpful as they develop the computer architecture and structure within which their hardware will be used. By understanding the memory of a computer and how to use pointers, those in this field will be able to develop more advanced hardware systems.

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Database Administrator

This course could be useful for Database Administrators who wish to improve their understanding of memory management and pointers. These concepts are essential for optimizing database performance and ensuring data integrity, making this course relevant to those who wish to succeed in this field.

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Data Scientist

This course may be helpful for Data Scientists who wish to develop their programming skills in C, as well as their understanding of memory management, pointers, and functions. These concepts are foundational to working with data and can help Data Scientists improve their efficiency.

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