BCA / B.Tech 12 min read

C Interface with Linux

C Interface with Linux:


The Linux operating system and the C programming language have a deep connection because most of Linux is written in C. C is a high-level programming language that is highly suitable for system programming. It is possible to interface with C to use the features of the Linux operating system. This process is called the C Interface with Linux, where we can use C programs to control Linux system calls, file systems, memory management, process management, and other system-related tasks.

Essential Components for C Programming in Linux:
  • System Calls: All important tasks in Linux, such as opening, reading, and writing files, memory allocation, and process creation, are done through system calls.
  • glibc: The GNU C Library that provides C programs with access to Linux system calls.
  • GCC (GNU Compiler Collection): Used to compile C and other languages. It is the most popular tool for compiling C programs on Linux.
  • POSIX API: A standard API that helps in writing portable code between Linux and other operating systems.

How to interface with C in Linux:
  • File Operations: C uses system calls like `open()`, `read()`, `write()`, and `close()` for file operations on a Linux system.
  • Process Management: For process management, C programs use system calls like `fork()`, `exec()`, and `wait()`.
  • Memory Management: C uses `malloc()`, `calloc()`, and `free()` for dynamic memory allocation in Linux.
  • Signal Handling: In Linux, the `signal()` function is used in C programs for signal handling to control exceptional events.

Benefits of interfacing between C and Linux:
  • System-Level Control: Through C, programmers can work at a low level of the Linux OS using system calls.
  • Speed and Performance: Programs written in C are mostly high-performance.
  • Portability: C programs can be easily ported to various Unix-based operating systems.
  • Multiprocessing Support: C programs have excellent support for multiprocessing and multithreading.

Disadvantages of C and Linux interfaces:
  • Code Complexity: System-level programming can be very complex, and debugging can be difficult.
  • Low Security: Security-related problems can arise in C programs, such as buffer overflows.
  • Memory Management Burden: C programmers have to manage memory manually, which can lead to memory leaks.

In this Chapter

C Interface with Linux
Distributed System in Operating System
Real-Time System in Operating System
System Calls in Operating System
System Programs in Operating System
Structure of an Operating System
Layered Design of an Operating System Structure
UNIX in Operating System
Virtual Machine in Operating System
Kernel-Based Operating System
Process Concept in Operating System
Interacting Processes in Operating System
Threads in Operating System
Fundamentals of Scheduling in Operating System
Scheduling Criteria in Operating System
Long, Medium, and Short-Term Scheduling
Scheduling Algorithms in Operating System
Structure of a Concurrent System
Critical Region in Operating System
Critical Section in Operating System
Inter-process Communication (IPC) in Operating System
Monitors in Operating System
Semaphores in Operating System
Semaphore Implementation & Uses in Operating System
Logical and Physical Address in Operating System
Swapping in Operating System
Contiguous Allocation in Operating System
Segmentation in Operating System
Paging in Operating System
Virtual Memory using Segmentation in Operating System
Interprocess Communication Protocol in Operating System
Network Operating System
Design Issues in Distributed File System
Network Structure in Operating System
Structure of a Distributed System
File System and Coordination in Operating System
History of Linux in Operating System
Linux Commands
Programmer Interface & File Manipulation in Linux
Process Control in Linux
Kernel & Signals in Linux
File System in Linux
Blocks and Inodes in Linux
System Editors in Linux
Character Transliteration in Linux
The `ed` Line Editor in Linux
The `vi` Editor and Its Commands
Shell Scripting in Linux
Looping & Decision Making in Linux Shell Scripting
Variables & File Name Expansion in Linux
Arrays in Linux Shell Scripting
Subprograms (Functions) in Linux Shell Scripting
Simple Shell Programs in Linux
BCA Part-1 | Operating Systems | Semester-I | MDSU Exam Paper 2023 (Held in 2024)
What is an Operating System (OS)
Operating System (OS) All Important Questions and Answers in English (MDSU)
BCA || Operating System 2025 Paper || MDSU Exam Paper
BCA | OS(Operating System) 2023 Paper | MDSU Exam Paper
Types of Operating Systems
Goals of an Operating System
Operations of an Operating System
Resource Allocation & Functions in an Operating System
Classes of Operating System
Batch Processing in Operating System
Multiprocessing in Operating System
Time-Sharing in Operating System