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C: complete course

Understand C from memory and machine-level fundamentals through pointers, data structures, files, dynamic memory and larger programs. Every chapter ends with practical projects so you build while you learn.

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1C, compilation and program structure~10 min

What you are learning

1 C, compilation and program structure ~10 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { printf("Orbit Code\n"); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
2Types, variables and operators~12 min

What you are learning

2 Types, variables and operators ~12 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { int score = 82; printf("%d\n", score); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
3Input and output~14 min

What you are learning

3 Input and output ~14 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { int n; scanf("%d", &n); printf("%d\n", n); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
4Conditions and loops~16 min

What you are learning

4 Conditions and loops ~16 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { for (int i=1; i<=3; i++) printf("%d\n", i); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
5Functions and program decomposition~18 min

What you are learning

5 Functions and program decomposition ~18 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
int add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }
int main(void) { return add(2,3) != 5; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
6Arrays and strings~20 min

What you are learning

6 Arrays and strings ~20 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { int a[] = {10,20,30}; printf("%d\n", a[1]); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
7Pointers fundamentals~22 min

What you are learning

7 Pointers fundamentals ~22 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { int n=10; int *p=&n; printf("%d\n", *p); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
8Pointers and functions~24 min

What you are learning

8 Pointers and functions ~24 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
void inc(int *x) { (*x)++; }
int main(void) { int n=1; inc(&n); printf("%d\n", n); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
9Structures, unions and enums~26 min

What you are learning

9 Structures, unions and enums ~26 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
struct Course { int id; char title[20]; };
int main(void) { struct Course c={1,"HTML"}; printf("%s\n", c.title); }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
10Dynamic memory~28 min

What you are learning

10 Dynamic memory ~28 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main(void) { int *p=malloc(3*sizeof *p); if(!p) return 1; p[0]=42; printf("%d\n",p[0]); free(p); }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
11Linked lists and data structures~30 min

What you are learning

11 Linked lists and data structures ~30 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
struct Node { int value; struct Node *next; };

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
12Stacks, queues and searching~32 min

What you are learning

12 Stacks, queues and searching ~32 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { int a[]={3,1,2}; int n=3; for(int i=0;i<n;i++) for(int j=i+1;j<n;j++) if(a[j]<a[i]) {int t=a[i];a[i]=a[j];a[j]=t;} for(int i=0;i<n;i++) printf("%d ",a[i]); }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
13Files and persistent data~34 min

What you are learning

13 Files and persistent data ~34 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { FILE *f=fopen("notes.txt","w"); if(!f) return 1; fputs("Orbit Code",f); fclose(f); }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
14Preprocessor and multi-file programs~36 min

What you are learning

14 Preprocessor and multi-file programs ~36 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#ifndef COURSE_H
#define COURSE_H
int add(int,int);
#endif

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
15Debugging and undefined behavior~38 min

What you are learning

15 Debugging and undefined behavior ~38 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { int a=1; printf("%d\n", a); /* inspect bounds and lifetimes when debugging */ return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
16Systems-style C patterns~40 min

What you are learning

16 Systems-style C patterns ~40 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { unsigned char byte=255; printf("%u\n", byte); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topNext chapter
17Capstone: complete C application~42 min

What you are learning

17 Capstone: complete C application ~42 min is a core part of C. Learn the vocabulary, syntax, execution or data model, why the feature exists, how it interacts with earlier concepts, and the mistakes that cause real programs to fail.

How it works

Practice the smallest useful version first, then change inputs, combine it with earlier concepts, and inspect what happens when assumptions are wrong. Production code favors clear, testable solutions over clever tricks.

Practical example

c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) { puts("C capstone: course tracker"); return 0; }

Practice: Change one part of the example, predict the result, run it when supported, then deliberately make one small mistake and fix it.

Projects

Do these after the explanation. Do not copy the example unchanged; build the projects from memory and use the reference only when stuck.

  1. Build a focused C mini-project
  2. Build a second project combining this chapter with earlier concepts
  3. Rebuild the project without copying the example
Back to topFinish course
Orbit Code · Detailed programming course · Progress can be synced when signed in · · Contact: xyroworkonly@gmail.com
Curriculum note: This course is written as original instructional material informed by current official documentation and reference material. It is not a copy of any documentation.