C Programming: Pointers, Control, Debugging

This unit advances students’ ability to write, read, and debug C programs by focusing on pointers, functions, control-flow constructs, input handling, and modular design. Students will apply best practices and debugging strategies to locate and correct common syntactic, logical, and runtime errors while preparing multi-file projects for further study.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze C source code to identify and explain common syntactic, logical, and runtime errors (e.g., pointer misuse, dangerous loop semicolons, missing breaks, operator precedence, and endless loops)
• Apply pointer and function concepts to design, implement, compile, and link multi-module programs that use pass-by-reference and proper function abstractions
• Demonstrate debugging and code-quality practices by resolving introduced defects, producing clearer error messages, addressing compiler warnings, and iteratively refining code (including whitespace and formatting strategies)
• Evaluate and correct control-flow and input-handling routines (including use of if-else vs switch, ternary operators, comma expressions in for-loops, scanf/stream restrictions, and assignment operator pitfalls) to ensure robust program behavior