C

ABSTRACT

This repository is a comprehensive guide to C Programming, ranging from basic syntax to low-level Systems Programming. It covers memory management, bitwise manipulation, network communication, and the implementation of core system utilities.

Foundational Toolkits

These core modules provide the essential rules and conceptual frameworks needed before tackling complex system implementations:

• Syntax and Basics: The entry point for C. Covers data types, arrays, control flow, and standard I/O.
• Lecture Examples: Conceptual deep dives into how the Operating System manages processes, pointers, and memory headers.

Curriculum Map

Memory Management

Focuses on the lifecycle of data in memory and the mechanics of the stack and heap.

• Explores manual memory allocation, the implementation of custom allocators, and the prevention of resource leaks.
• Covers the structural layout of data using Structs and the abstraction of Virtual Memory.

Strings and Data

Examines how high-level information is translated into binary representations.

• Bridges the gap between Signed/Unsigned numbers and character encodings like UTF-8.
• Focuses on the low-level manipulation of data through bitwise operators and string buffers.

Digital Communication

Introduction to how isolated systems exchange data across networks.

• Covers the basics of the HTTP protocol and local socket communication.
• Introduces data integrity and security through Cryptographic Hashing.

Knowledge Map (Problem Sets)

Problem Set 1: Bits and Encodings

• Focuses on low-level bit manipulation and the mechanics of the UTF-8 variable-width encoding standard.
• Essential for understanding how Unicode characters are serialized into byte streams and manipulated via bitmasks.

O and Hashing

• Focuses on command line arguments, stream processing, and data integrity.
• Involves building utilities that interact with standard input/output and implement cryptographic hashing for security.

Problem Set 3: Processes and Shells

• Focuses on System Calls and the fundamentals of building a command-line interface.
• Explores process creation, execution of external commands, and the parsing of user input into executable arguments.

Problem Set 4: The Heap Allocator

• Focuses on the internals of manual memory management and the implementation of a custom malloc library.
• Covers block metadata, fragmentation strategies like splitting/coalescing, and the use of double pointers for heap navigation.

Problem Set 5: Web Servers

• Focuses on Socket Programming and the implementation of the HTTP protocol.
• Covers the creation of network listeners, parsing request paths, and serving dynamic content over TCP/IP connections.

Program Assessments

Final projects that integrate all learned concepts into functional systems.

• UTF-8: A robust encoder and decoder for Unicode characters.
• Hashing and Passwords: Implementing secure data verification and password storage logic using SHA256.
• The Pioneer Shell: A custom-built Unix shell featuring process control and command parsing.
• Malloc: A custom heap memory manager implementing dynamic allocation and freeing logic.
• Web Server: A multi-functional HTTP server capable of handling network requests and serving content.