Although there are many programming languages, for most computer science students, the required course is often C Language, why is that?
The fundamental reason is that C Language has characteristics of both low-level and high-level languages. It can be used to write everyday software while also delving into the computer’s underlying levels, directly interacting with the hardware.
This capability makes C Language very suitable for writing system software and embedded systems that require high performance.
The dual characteristics of C Language give it a bridging role in the computer science curriculum.
On one hand, C Language helps you understand how computers work, such as CPU operations, memory management, and input/output operations, while providing opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in practice.
On the other hand, it lays a solid foundation for students to learn subsequent advanced courses, such as data structures, algorithms, operating systems, and network programming.
There is an old saying in the programming industry: “Don’t reinvent the wheel.” As computer science students, we cannot just use others’ wheels.
Building wheels with C Language is relatively easy to get started.
Through C Language, students can learn how to build programs from scratch, including algorithm implementation, data structure design, and program optimization. These practical skills are crucial for students to become software engineers in the future.
Whether in university or in the job market, the prevalence of C Language makes it a de facto standard in the field of computer science.
From the development of operating systems (like Linux) to the design of embedded systems, from high-performance computing to the development of networking devices, C Language plays a core role.
For the above reasons, despite the emergence of new languages, they are not well-suited to replace the position of C Language in the computer science curriculum.
Of course, some university courses now use Python or Java as introductory courses, depending on the course design and objectives.
