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Petra Bonfert-Taylor and Rémi Sharrock

In this course, part of the C Programming with Linux Professional Certificate program, you will define your own data types in C, and use the newly created types to more efficiently store and process your data.

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In this course, part of the C Programming with Linux Professional Certificate program, you will define your own data types in C, and use the newly created types to more efficiently store and process your data.

Many programming languages provide a number of built-in data types to store things such as integers, decimals, and characters in variables, but what if you wanted to store more complex data?

Defining your own data types in C allows you to more efficiently store and process data such as a customer's name, age and other relevant data, all in one single variable!

This course will provide a hands-on coding experience in a new browser tool developed for this course that will allow you to receive instant feedback on your code. No need to install anything! You will also gain experience with programming concepts that are foundational to any programming language.

At the end of this short course, you will reach the fifth milestone of the C Programming with Linux Professional Certificate program, unlocking the door to a career in computer engineering.

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

Three deals to help you save

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Define new data types (structures) to store multiple data items in one variable and create, initialize and modify variables of these new types
  • Find and explain the memory usage of a structure and use pointers to structures and the direct and indirect member selection operators to access members of structures
  • Create linked lists of structures with dynamic memory allocation at runtime
  • Sort or search lined lists of structures

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Helps create more efficient programs by teaching about custom data types in C
Course offers a hands-on coding experience with a browser tool designed for this course, eliminating the need to install anything, making it accessible to more students
Provides essential C programming foundations that are applicable to other programming languages
Offers a stepping stone toward a career in computer engineering through its completion of the fifth milestone in the C Programming with Linux Professional Certificate program

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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: Advanced Data Types with these activities:
Review C Basic Concepts
Refresh your memory on essential C programming concepts like data types, operators, and control flow.
Browse courses on C Programming
Show steps
  • Review your notes or a textbook
  • Complete practice exercises
  • Take a quiz or mock test
Read 'The C Programming Language'
Gain a solid foundation in C programming by studying from the seminal work by the language's creators.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of the book
  • Read the book thoroughly
  • Complete the exercises and examples
Organize Course Materials
Improve your learning efficiency by organizing and reviewing your notes, assignments, and other course materials.
Show steps
  • Gather all relevant materials
  • Create a filing system
  • Review and summarize materials periodically
Six other activities
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Attend C Programming Meetup
Expand your knowledge and connect with fellow C programming enthusiasts at a local meetup.
Browse courses on C Programming
Show steps
  • Find a relevant meetup group
  • Attend the meetup
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions
Implement Linked List with Pointers
Reinforce your understanding of linked lists, particularly memory usage, by implementing them in C.
Browse courses on Linked Lists
Show steps
  • Review the theory behind linked lists
  • Implement a node struct
  • Implement a linked list struct
  • Test your implementation
Expert C Programming Tutorial
Advance your C programming skills by following a comprehensive tutorial designed for experienced programmers.
Browse courses on C Programming
Show steps
  • Identify your areas for improvement
  • Find a reputable C programming tutorial
  • Follow the tutorial diligently
Build a Simple Calculator
Apply your C programming skills to create a functional calculator, reinforcing concepts like data types, operators, and flow control.
Browse courses on C Programming
Show steps
  • Plan the calculator's functionality
  • Implement basic arithmetic operations
  • Handle user input and output
  • Test and refine your calculator
Write a Summary Blog Post
Enhance your understanding of the course concepts by creating a blog post that summarizes and explains them.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic from the course
  • Research and gather information
  • Write your blog post
  • Share and promote your post
Develop a C Code Library
Consolidate your learning by creating a reusable library of C code that demonstrates your proficiency in various concepts.
Browse courses on C Programming
Show steps
  • Identify the purpose and scope of your library
  • Design and implement the library's functions
  • Test and debug your library
  • Document and package your library

Career center

Learners who complete C Programming: Advanced Data Types will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Developer
Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications ensuring they run efficiently. In this course, you will learn how to define new data types in C which will help you become a more proficient Software Developer! Defining your own data types allows you to more efficiently store and process complex data, which is a key skill for any Software Developer to have.
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers write, modify, and test computer software. In this course, you will gain experience with programming concepts that are essential for all Computer Programmers. You will learn how to define new data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Computer Programmer to have.
Web Developer
Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Web Developer to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and user-friendly websites.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and repair of database management systems. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Database Administrator to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and reliable databases.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Data Analyst to have, as it can help you to more efficiently analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Systems Analyst to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and reliable systems.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Information Security Analyst to have, as it can help you to create more secure systems.
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analysts study an organization's current computer systems and procedures, and design, implement, and maintain improvements. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Computer Systems Analyst to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and reliable systems.
Network Administrator
Network Administrators manage an organization's computer networks and systems. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Network Administrator to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and reliable networks.
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists research, design, and develop computer systems and applications. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Computer Scientist to have, as it can help you to develop more efficient and reliable software.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Software Engineer to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and reliable software.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design, build, and maintain the data infrastructure that supports an organization's data needs. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Data Engineer to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and reliable data pipelines.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers design and build machine learning models. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Machine Learning Engineer to have, as it can help you to create more efficient and reliable models.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Data Scientist to have, as it can help you to more efficiently analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help organizations improve their business processes. In this course, you will learn how to define your own data types in C, which will help you to more efficiently store and process data. This is a valuable skill for any Business Analyst to have, as it can help you to more efficiently analyze data and make better recommendations.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in C Programming: Advanced Data Types.
Is the original and definitive guide to the C programming language. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn or teach C.
Is the primary textbook for many college-level introductory C courses. It is widely regarded as a good reference for students and experienced programmers alike. It provides a comprehensive overview of the C programming language, including advanced concepts like data structures.
Comprehensive guide to C programming. It good resource for both beginners and experienced programmers.
Reference manual for the GNU C Library. It good resource for experienced programmers who want to learn more about the library.
Provides a comprehensive overview of data structures and algorithms, implemented in C. It valuable reference for anyone interested in learning more about these topics.
Reference manual for C programming. It good resource for experienced programmers who want to learn more about the language.
Complete reference for C programming. It good resource for experienced programmers who want to learn more about the language.
Concise overview of C programming. It good resource for people who want to learn the basics of the language.
Provides a thorough overview of advanced C programming techniques. It useful reference for experienced programmers who want to learn more about the language.
Beginner's guide to C programming. It good resource for people who have no prior programming experience.
Beginner's guide to C programming. It good resource for people who have no prior programming experience.
Beginner's guide to C programming. It good resource for people who have no prior programming experience.

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