Top Interview Questions for C Programming

Proficiency in the C programming language holds great value in today’s world. C language is widely regarded as the foundation for many modern programming languages and opens the door to exciting career opportunities after a B.Tech course in Computer Science. 

Technical interviews are one of the many interviews that a student has to go through to secure a desired position in top-tier companies and organisations. These interviews aim to evaluate a candidate's knowledge, problem-solving skills, and ability to apply programming concepts in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, when it comes to C programming, interviewers frequently ask questions in depth related to the language, testing candidates on their command of its fundamental concepts and best practices.

What is C Programming Language?

• C language is one of the high-level programming languages that create the basis for many other programming languages such as C++, JAVA, and OOPs.
• C is a procedural language, which means that programs are composed of functions or procedures that perform specific tasks. 
• C programming language is the first programming language taught to first-year students of B.Tech in CSE.
• C language has functions and procedures to perform specific tasks. This increases the code's efficiency while also providing its simplicity.
• Over the years, C has become the language of choice for many software developers, and it has been used to build a wide range of applications, including operating systems, compilers, databases, game engines, and much more. 

Common Interview Questions for C Programming Language

Given below are some of the interview questions for C programming divided into three categories: Easy, Intermediate, and Tough. This will give an idea of what kind of questions are generally asked during interviews.

Easy C Programming interview questions

• Do you know about the features of the C programming language?
• Why is C called a mid-level programming language?
• What is the #line used for in C programming language?
• Difference between printf() and scanf() functions.
• Describe the built-in function in C
• How can a string be converted to a number?
• Why doesn’t C language support function overloading?
• What is a pointer in C language?

Intermediate C Programming interview questions

• What is the difference I-value and R-value?
• What do you understand by header files?
• How can you avoid memory leaks?
• What is the difference between C and C++ programming languages?
• Explain the concept of recursion.
• What is the use of ‘static’ keyword in C language?
• What is the use of ‘volatile’ keyword in C language?
• How can you sort an array in C language?

Tough C Programming interview questions

• How can you implement a function in C to reverse a linked list?
• How can you remove duplicates in an array?
• How to call a function before main()?
• Implement a merge sort algorithm in C without using recursion.
• Why header files are needed in the C programming language?
• What do you understand by dynamic data structure?
• How can you merge two sorted linked list?
• What do you understand by function pointers as arguments in C?

Tips to prepare for C Programming Interview 

• Go through the core concepts of C programming language and have a solid understanding of the topics, including variables, data types, control structures (if-else, loops), functions, arrays, pointers, and structures. 
• Solve coding exercises and practice problems using online platforms such as online c compiler to enhance your programming skills. Focus on implementing algorithms and data structures using C. 
• Familiarise yourself with commonly asked C programming interview questions on the major topics. 
• Gain a thorough understanding of memory management in C and prepare topics to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
• Practice solving coding challenges and puzzles specific to C programming to improve your problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and ability to write clean and optimised code.
• Simulate interview scenarios by participating in mock interviews or coding sessions with a friend or mentor. 
• Stay updated with the latest developments and trends in C programming, to stay ahead during group discussions and personal interviews.

Conclusion

Mastering C programming language is important for students who are aspiring to become successful engineers. By familiarising yourself with the top interview questions for C programming, you can gain a competitive edge and increase your chances of success in job interviews. 

At Sunstone, you can get the chance to unlock numerous benefits which include 70+ training sessions from expert guest faculty (ex-IIMs, IITs). Along with this, students can get hands-on experience from capstone projects, which can be helpful in securing job offers. 

FAQ-Top Interview Questions for C Programming

Can I use C for coding interviews?

Yes, many companies allow you to use C programming language for technical interviews.

Is C programming language hard to study?

No programming language is easy to learn at first, but with continuous practice, you can gain expertise in the same.

Is C programming an important language in programming?

Among many, it is also one of the important languages in programming. C language is an easy, portable, and efficient programming language.

What is the first programming language  I will learn during my B.Tech in CSE course? 

In the first semester of B.Tech CSE, students begin to build their basics with C programming language, followed by C++, JAVA, and Python in later semesters.

Can I do B.Tech in CSE from colleges powered by Sunstone?

Yes, you can pursue B.Tech in CSE from colleges powered by Sunstone. Some of the colleges are:

• Sage University, Indore
• IIMT University
• GRD Institue to Technology and Management
• Impact College of Engineering and Applied Sciences