What is the difference between const pointer and pointer to const in C ?

In C programming, pointers are fundamental tools that allow direct manipulation of memory. However, when combined with the const qualifier, they can introduce subtle distinctions that often confuse both beginners and seasoned developers. At first glance, the terms const pointer and pointer to const might seem interchangeable, but they serve different purposes. This article explores […]

Optimizing Enum Storage in C with -fshor-enum flag

When working with C, efficiency in memory usage can be a critical factor, especially in embedded systems or low-level programming. One lesser-known yet powerful GCC compiler flag that can help optimize storage is -fshort-enums. This flag changes the way the compiler allocates memory for enumerations (enum), potentially reducing the size of compiled code. In this […]

Function Prototype in C

This article delves into the concept of function prototypes in C, exploring their syntax, purpose, and benefits. Whether you’re a beginner learning the fundamentals or an experienced programmer looking to refine your understanding, mastering function prototypes is a foundational step toward writing efficient and maintainable C programs. In the C programming language, a function prototype […]

Include guards in C

Include guards are a mechanism used in C and C++ programming to prevent multiple inclusions of the same header file. They help avoid issues such as redefinition errors, which can occur when the same header file is included multiple times in a program.

Single point of exit

Using a single point of exit in C (or other programming languages) is often considered good practice because it improves code readability and maintainability, and reduces the likelihood of bugs. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into this topic to see if it’s really true.

Why C strlen function is considered as not safe

n the world of programming, writing secure and efficient code is a constant challenge, especially when working with low-level languages like C. C provides developers with powerful tools, but with great power comes great responsibility. Among these tools is the strlen function, a staple of string manipulation in C. While seemingly simple and straightforward, improper use of strlen can lead to unexpected behavior, performance issues, and even critical security vulnerabilities. This article explores the potential pitfalls of using strlen, why it’s considered unsafe in certain situations, and how developers can adopt safer practices to protect their applications.

Stack, heap and memory management in microcontrollers

In this article I’ll do my best to explain as simply as possible how memory management in microcontrollers works, what are „stack” and „heap” areas, and what’s the difference between them. Let’s start with a general diagram presenting how „uC” RAM memory is divided into diffrent arreas: Starting from the bottom, which is the beginning […]

What is function prototype in C

In C language function prototype is just information for the compiler about the existence of a function. It also provides basic information about its name, returning type, and list of accepted arguments. Let’s see it in an example: #include <stdio.h>void print_hello_msg(void); // This is prototype for the print_hello_msg functionint main(){ print_hello_msg(); return 0;}void print_hello_msg(void){ printf(„Hello […]

Declaration vs Definition

In this article, I will explain two most important concepts in C language that are very often confused by beginner embedded developers. I will explain what each of them means and what is the key difference, so from now on you won’t confuse them