目次
- 1 1. Introduction
- 2 2. Reasons C Is Considered Obsolete
- 3 3. Reasons Why C Language Continues to Be Used Actively
- 4 4. Evolution and Current Trends of the C Language
- 5 5. Benefits and Drawbacks of Learning C
- 6 6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Introduction
“Is C language outdated?” This question is frequently debated among people who are just starting to learn programming as well as active engineers. C was created in 1972 and has supported the foundations of software development for many years. However, in recent years, new programming languages such as Python, Rust, and Go have emerged, making development more user‑friendly and efficient. As a result, voices saying “Isn’t C no longer needed?” have been on the rise. But is C really outdated? This article will examine the reasons why C is called outdated, the background that it continues to be used, and the latest trends in detail.2. Reasons C Is Considered Obsolete
The background for C being called “obsolete” includes the following factors.2.1 Difficulty of Memory Management and Security Risks
C requires manual memory management, which presents a high barrier for beginners. For example, you usemalloc() for dynamic memory allocation and free() to release it. If this is not done properly, memory leaks (unused memory that isn’t freed and accumulates) can occur, leading to performance degradation and crashes. In addition, buffer overflows (bugs that write data beyond an array’s bounds) and other C‑specific vulnerabilities are also a concern. Modern programming languages (Python, Rust, Go, etc.) provide automatic memory management (garbage collection) and safer memory‑handling mechanisms, and are considered to have significantly greater security advantages compared to C.2.2 Comparison with Modern Languages
Recently, the following programming languages have spread rapidly.| Language | Features |
|---|---|
| C | Allows low‑level control but securing safety is difficult |
| Python | Easy to learn, dominant in data analysis and AI |
| Rust | Provides memory safety guarantees and is gaining attention as a C alternative |
| Go | Excels at concurrency and is used in Google’s development environment |
2.3 Decline in Adoption in Education and Industry
It used to be common to learn C as an introduction to programming. However, nowadays languages that are easier to learn such as Python or Java dominate in educational settings. Moreover, in web and mobile app development, JavaScript, Swift, Kotlin, and others are more commonly used than C. Consequently, for people new to programming, C is no longer a mandatory skill.
3. Reasons Why C Language Continues to Be Used Actively
On the other hand, there are many reasons to consider that C is not outdated. C is still used in many fields today, and its importance has not waned.3.1 Essential for Embedded Systems and OS Development
C is widely used for developing microcontrollers (MCUs) and embedded systems. For example, appliances, automotive control systems, IoT devices, etc., programs that run at a hardware‑close level are still often written in C. Also, because the OS kernels of Windows and Linux are largely developed in C, it remains an indispensable language for OS development and system programming.3.2 Scenarios Requiring High-Speed Processing and Performance
C is a compiled language with very high execution speed. Therefore, it is used in scenarios such as the following.- Game engines (Unreal Engine)
- Finance and high‑performance computing
- Database development (MySQL, SQLite)
3.3 Maintenance and Operation of Existing Systems
Many companies continue to use systems that have been developed in C for many years. Even when new languages appear, it is common to “not bother rewriting something that already works”. Therefore, engineers who understand C and can maintain and operate such systems will continue to be needed.4. Evolution and Current Trends of the C Language
The C language is often perceived as an “old language,” but it continues to evolve even today. In particular, the C language’s standard specifications (ISO standards) are updated regularly, adding new features. This section explains the latest trends in C and its future outlook.4.1 Evolution of C Language Standard Specifications
Since its inception, the C language has undergone various improvements, with new versions released regularly. Below is a list of the major C language standard specifications.| Standard | Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| C89/C90 | 1989/1990 | ANSI standardization. Established the foundation of the C language. |
| C99 | 1999 | inline, long long, and introduction of variable-length arrays |
| C11 | 2011 | Multithreading support and addition of the _Atomic type |
| C17 | 2017 | Bug fixes for C11 (almost no new features) |
| C23 | 2023 | Further feature improvements are planned |
4.2 C11 (2011) – The Beginning of Modern C
C11 (ISO/IEC 9899:2011) represents the most significant update since C99 in 1999.Key New Features
- Multithreading Support
- With the addition of the
stdatomic.hheader, atomic operations in multithreaded environments are possible. - The addition of the
thread_localkeyword makes managing thread‑local variables easier.
- Introduction of New Types
- The addition of the
_Atomictype makes writing thread‑safe programs easier.
- Bug Fixes and Stabilization
- Fixes issues from C99, resulting in a more stable language specification.
4.3 C17 (2017) – Minor Update
C17 (ISO/IEC 9899:2017) was released as a minor version of C11.Key Changes
- Bug fixes for C11 are the main focus (almost no new features).
- Removal of deprecated features
- For example, the
gets()function was removed due to the risk of buffer overflows.
4.4 C23 (2023) – Further Improvements
C23 (ISO/IEC 9899:2023) has been established as the latest C language standard.Anticipated New Features
- Improved Readability
- Improvements to format specifiers (e.g.,
printf) - Discussions are ongoing about introducing more intuitive syntax.
- Improved Error Handling
- C’s error handling typically uses
returnanderrno, but more explicit mechanisms may be added.
- Strengthened Type System
- Type inference (similar to an
autokeyword) might be introduced.
4.5 Future Outlook for the C Language
The C language has been used for over 40 years, and its role is expected to continue.Anticipated Application Areas
- Embedded Systems
- C remains dominant in IoT devices and microcontroller domains.
- OS Development
- Operating systems like Windows and Linux are developed in C, and this position is unlikely to change.
- High‑Performance Computing
- Used in scientific computing, game engines, financial systems, and other performance‑critical areas.
Challenges
- The emergence of safer languages (e.g., Rust) could limit C’s use cases
- If new developers stop learning C, there is a risk of a shrinking engineer supply
4.6 Summary
- C is an “old language,” but it continues to evolve with C11, C17, and C23
- Multithreading support, type system improvements, and other modern features have been added
- Embedded systems, OS development, financial and scientific computing will continue to require C
5. Benefits and Drawbacks of Learning C
C is sometimes considered outdated, but it still plays a crucial role in many fields. Here we organize the benefits and drawbacks of learning C and consider when you should study it.5.1 Benefits of Learning C
Learning C offers the following advantages.Deepens Understanding of Other Programming Languages
C is the foundation of many programming languages. Python, Java, C++, Rust and other languages have evolved from C. Therefore, learning C helps you grasp fundamental programming concepts (memory management, pointers, data structures, etc.) more deeply. In particular, you gain knowledge that is essential for understanding low‑level programming (OS development and embedded systems).Enables Close‑to‑Hardware Control
C allows direct manipulation of memory and hardware resources, making it indispensable for embedded systems and OS development. For example, C is widely used in IoT devices, consumer electronics, and automotive control systems. It is also useful in scenarios that require system optimization (speed) and low power consumption.Can Produce High‑Performance Programs
C is a compiled language, which typically runs faster than interpreted languages (such as Python or JavaScript). As a result, it is employed in areas like game engines, financial systems, and scientific computing.Demand for C Engineers Will Continue
Although the number of engineers who can work with C is declining, maintenance of embedded and legacy systems still requires C. Thus, mastering C gives you a career advantage in specific domains.5.2 Drawbacks of Learning C
On the other hand, C has several disadvantages, and beginners need to be cautious.High Learning Cost
C is not a beginner‑friendly language, so it takes time to master. In particular, the following concepts make C uniquely challenging:- The concept of pointers (direct manipulation of memory addresses)
- Manual memory management (you must use
malloc()/free()correctly) - Strict syntax (unlike the easy syntax of Python)
High Security Risks
Since the programmer must handle all memory management in C, the following problems are common:- Buffer overflows (writing data outside allocated memory)
- Memory leaks (failing to release allocated memory can destabilize the system)
- Null‑pointer dereferences (using an uninitialized pointer can cause crashes)
Not Suited for Modern Development Trends
C is rarely used for web or mobile app development. For the following purposes, other languages are more appropriate than C:| Purpose | Suitable Language |
|---|---|
| Web development | JavaScript, Python, PHP |
| Mobile apps | Swift, Kotlin, Flutter |
| AI & data analysis | Python, R |
5.3 Who Should Consider Learning C
If you’re unsure whether to learn C, use the following points as a guide. ✅ People Who Should Learn C- Want to learn embedded development or microcontroller programming
- Interested in OS or system programming
- Want to create programs that require high‑speed processing
- Want a deep understanding of core programming concepts
- Want to do web development (→ JavaScript, Python are more suitable)
- Want to learn AI or machine learning (→ Python is optimal)
- Want to build a practical app quickly (→ Python, Java, Swift, etc. are more efficient)
5.4 Summary
- C is high‑cost to learn and not beginner‑friendly, but ideal for deepening low‑level understanding
- Still a required skill in embedded development, OS development, and high‑performance computing
- Not suited for web development or AI, so decide based on your goals
6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
C regarding the C language, many questions are raised such as “Is it outdated?” and “Is it still worth learning?” In this section, we pick up common questions and answer each in detail.6.1 Why is the C language said to be “outdated”?
Answer
The C language is considered outdated mainly for the following three reasons.- Manual memory management is difficult
- If
malloc()andfree()are not managed properly, memory leaks occur. - Newer languages such as Rust and Go have automatic memory management (garbage collection), which can avoid such problems.
- It does not support object-oriented programming
- C does not natively support object-oriented programming (OOP).
- Languages such as C++, Java, and Python support OOP as a standard, offering high code reusability.
- It is less used in modern development environments
- Web development → JavaScript, Python, PHP
- AI & data analysis → Python, R
- Mobile apps → Swift, Kotlin
- C’s use is limited to embedded development and OS development, and it is not suited for general application development.
6.2 Is the C language still worth learning?
Answer
People who have value in learning- Want to develop embedded systems / IoT
- Want to be involved in OS or kernel development
- Want to develop high-performance software
- Want to deeply understand low-level languages such as C++ or Rust
- Want web development → JavaScript, Python
- Want to learn data science / AI → Python, R
- Want to create mobile apps → Swift, Kotlin
6.3 What is the latest C language standard?
Answer
As of 2023, “C23 (ISO/IEC 9899:2023)” is the latest.| Standard | Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| C99 | 1999 | long long type added, variable-length arrays introduced |
| C11 | 2011 | Multithreading support, atomic type (_Atomic) added |
| C17 | 2017 | Bug fixes (no new features) |
| C23 | 2023 | Improved format specifiers, strengthened type system |
6.4 What are the differences between C and C++?
Answer
C++ extends the C language and incorporates object-oriented features.| Comparison Item | C | C++ |
|---|---|---|
| Programming paradigm | Procedural | Object-oriented (OOP) support |
| Memory management | Manual (malloc/free) | new/delete (easier to manage with RAII) |
| Standard library | Standard library is simple | Rich STL (Standard Template Library) |
| Use cases | Embedded systems, OS development | Game development, general software |
6.5 Could the C language disappear in the future?
Answer
It is unlikely that the C language will disappear entirely. Reasons why C will continue to survive- Demand in embedded and OS development will continue
- IoT devices, automotive ECUs, aircraft control systems, etc., have software closely tied to hardware written in C.
- Maintenance and operation of legacy systems
- Replacing existing C‑written systems incurs huge costs, so C will be used for a long time.
- Fields that require high performance
- OS kernels (Linux, Windows), databases (MySQL, SQLite), game engines (Unreal Engine), etc., have many software written in C.
- Fewer choices for new development
- “Safe low‑level languages” like Rust are gaining popularity
- For example, Mozilla recommends “Rust as a replacement for C/C++”
6.6 Summary
- C certainly has usability challenges compared to newer languages (Python, Rust, Go), but it still plays an important role.
- Especially embedded systems, OS development, and scientific/technical computing will continue to need it.
- Whether you should learn C depends on your goals. If you’re into web development or AI it’s unnecessary, but for system development or hardware control it’s essential.
- C continues to evolve, with further improvements added in C23 (2023).
