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C language documentation

Learn to use C and the C runtime library.

Get started with C in Visual Studio

Download

  • Download Visual Studio for Windows
  • Install C/C++ support in Visual Studio
  • Download only the command-line build tools

Tutorial

  • Compile a C program on the command line

Use the compiler and tools

Reference

  • C/C++ build reference
  • Projects and build systems
  • Compiler reference
  • Linker reference
  • Additional build tools
  • Errors and warnings

C language

Reference

  • C language reference
  • Elements of C
  • Program structure
  • Declarations and types
  • Expressions and assignments
  • Statements
  • Functions
  • C language syntax summary
  • Implementation-defined behavior
  • C/C++ preprocessor reference

C runtime library (CRT)

Reference

  • CRT library features
  • Alphabetical function reference
  • C runtime routines by category
  • Global variables and standard types
  • Global constants
  • Global state
  • Generic-text mappings
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  • Trademarks
  • © Microsoft 2025
Your Privacy Choices
  • Previous Versions
  • Blog
  • Contribute
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Trademarks
  • © Microsoft 2025