Ubuntu

How To Use the C Programming Language in Ubuntu 22.04

Want to step into the programming world and confused about selecting your first programming language? If yes, No worries! We are here for your assistance.

For new learners, the C Programming language is proven as the most popular and easy-to-use programming language. Its simple syntax can assist in understanding the architecture of a computer. Moreover, after mastering the C Programming Language, you can employ its logical concepts in other programming languages.

This write-up will discuss the procedure for using the C Programming Language on Ubuntu 22.04. So, let’s start!

How to install C Programming Language on Ubuntu 22.04

Before jumping right into the usage of C Programming Language, you are required to install it first on your Ubuntu 22.04 system.

To use the C Programming Language, it is required to install the “build-essential” package. It is also known as a “meta-package” that comprises everything needed for the compilation of the application based on C++ or C programming language.

Here is the procedure for installing the C Programming Language on Ubuntu 22.04:

Step 1: Update system repositories
Press “CTRL+ALT+T” to open the terminal of Ubuntu 22.04 and run the below-given commands to update system repositories:

$ sudo apt update

Step 2: Install build-essential package
After updating the system repositories, execute the following command for the installation of the “build-essential” package:

$ sudo apt install build-essential

The error-free output indicates that the “build-essential” package successfully installed the collection of libraries and compiler for the C Programming Language:

Step 3: Check the C Compiler version
To check the version of the installed C Compiler on your Ubuntu 22.04, utilize the “gcc” command with the “–version” option:

$ gcc --version

As you can see from the output, GCC version “11.2.0” now exists on our system:

Now, we will move ahead towards the usage of the C Programming Language on Ubuntu 22.04.

How to use the C Programming Language on Ubuntu 22.04

After the successful installation of the C language compiler, open up your favorite text editor and write out the following simple C program in it:

#include
int main() {    

    int n1, n2, sum;
    printf("Kindly, Enter two integers: ");
    scanf("%d %d", &n1, &n2);
    sum = n1 + n2;      
    printf("%d + %d = %d", n1, n2, sum);
    return 0;
}

After adding the code, click on the “Save” button and save this opened file as “testfile.c”:

Your “testfile.c” will somehow look like this:

In the next step, we will compile “testfile.c” with the help of the GCC compiler:

$ gcc -o testfile testfile.c

To check the output of your C program, run the executable “testfile” and input two numbers:

$ ./testfile

For instance, we will enter “1” and “2” numbers, and our “testfile” C program will print out their sum on the terminal window:

We have compiled the most basic method to install and use the C Programming Language on Ubuntu 22.04.

Conclusion

To use the C Programming Language on Ubuntu 22.04, first, update the system repositories and run the “$ sudo apt install build-essential” command. The “build-essential” package will install all of the required libraries and compilers related to the C Programming language. You can then use it to write and execute C programs with the “GCC” compiler. This write-up discussed the method of using the C Programming Language in Ubuntu 22.04.

About the author

Sharqa Hameed

I am a Linux enthusiast, I love to read Every Linux blog on the internet. I hold masters degree in computer science and am passionate about learning and teaching.