The basic structure of a C program is divided into 6 parts which makes it easy to read, modify, document, and understand in a particular format. C program must follow the below-mentioned outline in order to successfully compile and execute. Debugging is easier in a well-structured C program.
Sections of the C ProgramThere are 6 basic sections responsible for the proper execution of a program. Sections are mentioned below:
DocumentationPreprocessor SectionDefinitionGlobal DeclarationMain() FunctionSub Programs1. DocumentationThis section consists of the description of the program, the name of the program, and the creation date and time of the program. It is specified at the start of the program in the form of comments. Documentation can be represented as:
// description, name of the program, programmer name, date, time etc.or
/*description, name of the program, programmer name, date, time etc.*/Anything written as comments will be treated as documentation of the program and this will not interfere with the given code. Basically, it gives an overview to the reader of the program.
2. Preprocessor SectionAll the header files of the program will be declared in the preprocessor section of the program. Header files help us to access other’s improved code into our code. A copy of these multiple files is inserted into our program before the process of compilation.
Example:
#include#include3. DefinitionPreprocessors are the programs that process our source code before the process of compilation. There are multiple steps which are involved in the writing and execution of the program. Preprocessor directives start with the ‘#’ symbol. The #define preprocessor is used to create a constant throughout the program. Whenever this name is encountered by the compiler, it is replaced by the actual piece of defined code.
Example:
#define long long ll4. Global DeclarationThe global declaration section contains global variables, function declaration, and static variables. Variables and functions which are declared in this scope can be used anywhere in the program.
Example:
int num = 18;5. Main() FunctionEvery C program must have a main function. The main() function of the program is written in this section. Operations like declaration and execution are performed inside the curly braces of the main program. The return type of the main() function can be int as well as void too. void() main tells the compiler that the program will not return any value. The int main() tells the compiler that the program will return an integer value.
Example:
void main()or
int main()6. Sub ProgramsUser-defined functions are called in this section of the program. The control of the program is shifted to the called function whenever they are called from the main or outside the main() function. These are specified as per the requirements of the programmer.
Example:
int sum(int x, int y){return x+y;}Structure of C Program with exampleExample: Below C program to find the sum of 2 numbers:
C// Documentation/*** file: sum.c * author: you * description: program to find sum. */// Link#include// Definition#define X 20 // Global Declarationint sum(int y);// Main() Functionint main(void){ int y = 55; printf("Sum: %d", sum(y)); return 0;}// Subprogramint sum(int y) { return y + X;}OutputSum: 75Explanation of the above ProgramBelow is the explanation of the above program. With a description explaining the program’s meaning and use.
SectionsDescription/** * file: sum.c* author: you* description: program to find sum.*/It is the comment section and is part of the description section of the code. #includeHeader file which is used for standard input-output. This is the preprocessor section.#define X 20This is the definition section. It allows the use of constant X in the code.int sum(int y)This is the Global declaration section includes the function declaration that can be used anywhere in the program.int main()main() is the first function that is executed in the C program.{…}These curly braces mark the beginning and end of the main function. printf(“Sum: %d”, sum(y));printf() function is used to print the sum on the screen.return 0;We have used int as the return type so we have to return 0 which states that the given program is free from the error and it can be exited successfully.int sum(int y) { return y + X;}This is the subprogram section. It includes the user-defined functions that are called in the main() function.Steps involved in the Compilation and execution of a C program:Program CreationCompilation of the programExecution of the programThe output of the programRead more about Compiling a C Program Compilation – Behind the Scenes
ConclusionIn this article points we learned about the structure of the C Program are mentioned below:
The basic structure of a C program is divided into 6 parts which makes it easy to read, modify, document, and understand in a particular format.Debugging is easier in a well-structured C program.There are 6 sections in a C Program that are Documentation, Preprocessor Section, Definition, Global Declaration, Main() Function, and Sub Programs.There are certain steps while compilation and executing of C program as mentioned below:Creation of ProgramCompilation of the programExecution of the programOutput of the programStructure of the C Program – FAQsWhat is meant by the structure of a program?The structure of a program is defined by its control flow, as structures are built up of blocks of codes. These blocks have a single entry and exit in the control flow.
What is the structure of C program syntax?Any C Program can be divided into header, main() function, variable declaration, body, and return type of the program.
Why C is a structured program?C is a structured programming language because it divides the programs into small modules called functions which makes the execution easier.
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