The C programming language is one of the most used computer languages in the world. C is a general-purpose programming language used for creating operating systems, embedded devices, scientific applications, and other high-performance applications. C is a sophisticated programming language that allows the user complete control over the machine, making it an excellent choice for system-level programming.
C includes a large number of libraries that can be used to do a variety of tasks and also helps students to complete their programming assignments. These libraries contain prewritten code that the programmer can utilize to execute a variety of tasks without having to write the code from scratch. This post will go through the top ten C programming libraries that every C programmer should be aware of.
The C Standard Library
One of the most essential libraries in C programming is the Standard C Library. It is a collection of C Standard Library-defined functions that can be utilized by any C program without the requirement for other libraries. The Standard C Library supports input/output operations, string processing, memory management, and a variety of other features.
The Standard C Library is organized into header files, each of which contains a collection of related functions. Stdio.h, string.h, and stdlib.h are some of the most often used header files in the Standard C Library.
Mathematical Library
Another essential component in C programming is the Math component. It supports a wide range of mathematical operations, including trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, and exponential functions. The Math Library includes functions that can be used to conduct sophisticated mathematical computations without having to develop new code.
The Math Library's most regularly used functions include sin(), cos(), tan(), log(), exp(), and pow(). Any C programmer who works with complex mathematical calculations should be familiar with the Math Library.
String Library
The String Library is a collection of functions used in C programming to manipulate strings. String operations such as string concatenation, string comparison, and string copying are supported by the String Library. The String Library includes functions that can be used to execute various string operations without having to develop new code.
Strcat(), strcmp(), strcpy(), and strlen() are some of the most widely used functions in the String Library. The String Library is required reading for any C programmer who works with strings.
The Time Library
The Time Library is a C programming library that supports time and date operations. The Time Library includes functions for obtaining the current time, converting time between different formats, and performing various time-related tasks.
Time(), local time (), and strftime() are some of the most widely used functions in the Time Library. The Time Library is a must-have library for any C programmer who works with time and date.
Input/Output Library
The Input/Output Library is a C programming library that supports input and output activities. The Input/Output Library comprises routines for reading keyboard input, writing output to the screen, and performing various file-related activities.
The Input/Output Library's most widely used functions include printf(), scanf(), getchar(), putchar(), fopen(), fclose(), and fread(). For any C programmer who works with input/output operations, the Input/Output Library is a must-have library.
Graphics Library
The Graphics Library is a library that provides graphical operations support in C programming. The Graphics Library includes utilities for drawing lines, circles, rectangles, and other shapes on the screen.
Line(), circle(), rectangle(), and setcolor() are some of the most widely used functions in the Graphics Library. The Graphics Library is a must-have library for any C programmer who works with graphics.
Networking Library
A networking library contains functions for networking programming in C such as connecting to distant servers, sending and receiving data across network sockets, and managing network protocols and setups. Building networked applications that connect via the Internet or other network infrastructure requires the use of networking libraries.
The Berkeley Sockets API, generally known as the BSD sockets API, is a popular networking library in C programming. The BSD sockets API is a standardized interface for generating and managing network sockets on various operating systems such as Unix, macOS, and Windows.
The BSD sockets API comprises functions for generating, opening, and closing sockets, as well as transmitting and receiving data through sockets via various network protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, and ICMP. The API also includes functions for configuring network settings and resolving network addresses using DNS search.
The libcurl library is another prominent networking library in C programming. The libcurl library is a client-side networking library that provides a straightforward interface for making HTTP and other network requests from C programs.
The libcurl library supports a variety of network protocols, including HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, and IMAP, and includes features such as SSL/TLS encryption, HTTP authentication, and proxy servers. A multi-threaded interface is also included in the library for making concurrent network queries and efficiently managing network resources.
The ZeroMQ library is another prominent networking library in C programming. The ZeroMQ library is a high-performance messaging framework that offers a straightforward interface for developing distributed applications that communicate over networks.
The ZeroMQ framework supports a variety of messaging patterns, including publish/subscribe, request/reply, and push/pull, as well as capabilities like message queuing, load balancing, and fault tolerance. The library also supports many network protocols, including TCP, PGM, and IPC, and includes bindings for several computer languages.
File System Library
A file system organizes and stores files on a computer or other digital device. A file system library is a collection of functions that can be used to interact with the file system, such as creating, removing, and updating files and directories, reading and writing data to files, and managing file permissions and ownership.
The standard C library's file I/O routines are one of the most common file system libraries in C programming. Among these are fopen(), fclose(), fread(), fwrite(), fseek(), and others. These routines enable developers to create, open, read, and write files in a portable and consistent manner across several operating systems.
To open a file, use the fopen() method, which provides a FILE pointer that can be used to execute additional actions on the file, such as reading or writing data. When a file is no longer required, the fclose() function is used to close it.
The functions fread() and fwrite() are used to read and write data to files, respectively. The fseek() function moves the file pointer to a given region inside the file, which is handy for random file access.
Many operating systems provide their file system libraries with additional features and functionality in addition to the standard C file I/O functions.
For example, on Unix-based operating systems, the file system library includes functions for working with directories such as opendir(), readdir(), and closedir(). Developers can use these functions to create, open, read, and close directories, as well as retrieve information about the files and directories included within them.
The file system library for Windows-based operating systems provides functions such as CreateFile(), ReadFile(), WriteFile(), and CloseHandle(). These routines are identical to ordinary C file I/O functions, but they include additional features such as named pipe support and file properties.
The Boost Filesystem library is another prominent file system library in C programming. The Boost Filesystem library is a collection of portable and simple functions for working with files and directories on various operating systems.
The Boost Filesystem library contains functions for generating, opening, reading, and writing files, as well as interacting with directories and file paths. File attributes, file permissions, and file ownership are also supported by the library.
Cryptography Library
The study of mechanisms for secure communication in the presence of third parties or adversaries is known as cryptography. Many applications use cryptography, such as secure communication, digital signatures, and data encryption. Cryptography libraries are collections of algorithms and tools used to encrypt and decode data, generate safe random numbers, and manage digital certificates.
OpenSSL is a well-known cryptography library in C programming. OpenSSL is a free and open-source library that implements cryptographic methods such as symmetric key encryption, public key encryption, and digital signatures. OpenSSL is widely used in a wide range of applications, such as web servers, email clients, and VPN software.
X.509 certificates, certificate signing requests, and certificate revocation lists are among the APIs provided by OpenSSL for issuing and managing digital certificates. OpenSSL also supports a variety of cryptographic protocols, such as SSL/TLS, which is used to secure web connections.
AES, DES, and Blowfish are among the encryption algorithms supported by OpenSSL. These techniques are used to securely encrypt and decode data. OpenSSL also supports RSA, Diffie-Hellman, and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) as public key encryption techniques.
OpenSSL also supports digital signature methods such as RSA, DSA, and the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). Digital signatures are used to authenticate and ensure the integrity of digital documents.
GnuPG is another prominent cryptography package in C programming. GnuPG is an open-source and free implementation of the OpenPGP standard. GnuPG includes tools for data encryption and decryption, key generation, and digital signature verification.
SQLite Library
The SQLite Library is a small, embeddable, open-source SQL database engine that is widely used in a variety of applications. It is a popular database for mobile and desktop applications. SQLite is a self-contained, serverless, transactional SQL database engine that requires no configuration.
SQLite's ease of use and high performance are two of its primary features. The library is intended to be simple to integrate into applications, with a basic and straightforward API for accessing the database. SQLite is also known for its high performance and minimal resource consumption, making it an excellent alternative for devices with limited resources.
The SQLite Library includes a comprehensive set of utilities that enable C programmers to construct and operate SQLite databases. SQLite Library functions that are often used include sqlite3_open(), sqlite3_prepare_v2(), sqlite3_step(), sqlite3_column_int(), and sqlite3_finalize().
To open an SQLite database file, use the sqlite3_open() function. This function accepts a filename and a pointer to a sqlite3 database object as arguments. To prepare a SQL statement for execution, use the sqlite3_prepare_v2() function. This function accepts a database connection, a SQL statement, its length, and a pointer to a sqlite3_stmt object. To run a prepared SQL statement, use the sqlite3_step() function. This function takes a pointer to a sqlite3_stmt object as an argument. To retrieve an integer value from a query result, use the sqlite3_column_int() function. This function accepts a pointer to a sqlite3_stmt object and the column index to get. Finally, the sqlite3_finalize() function is used to release resources associated with a SQL statement that has been prepared. This function takes a pointer to a sqlite3_stmt object as an argument.
SQLite supports a variety of data types, including INTEGER, REAL, TEXT, BLOB, and NULL. SQLite also supports a variety of constraints, including PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY, UNIQUE, CHECK, and NOT NULL. SQL commands such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, ALTER, and DROP are supported by the library.
Conclusion
C is a strong programming language that gives the programmer complete control over the system. C programming offers a diverse set of libraries for performing a variety of tasks. This article has reviewed the top ten C programming libraries that every C programmer should be familiar with. One of the most essential libraries in C programming is the Standard C Library. It supports input/output operations, string processing, memory management, and a variety of other features. The Math Library supports a wide range of mathematical operations, including trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, and exponential functions. Finally, knowing about these libraries can help a C programmer create efficient and effective programs. The programmer can save time and effort by utilizing these libraries and focusing on producing high-quality apps.