# Compilation Steps 1. Preprocessing: The preprocessor obeys commands that begin with #, also known as directives Commands for the preprocessor are called directives. Directives begin with a pound sign, and they do not end with a semicolon. Example: ```c #include ``` 2. Compiling. A compiler translates then translates the program into machine instructions. 3. Linking: The generated objects are combined to create a complete executable. The preprocessor is typically integrated with the compiler. # Types ## Strings A string literal is characters enclosed in double quotation marks. A newline can be inserted using `\n`. ## Integers An integer is a way to store a whole number. In C, integers are signed by default. ## Floats A float is a decimal value. Slower arithmetic and inexact values are both drawbacks of using floats. ## Variables A variable must be declared before it is assigned. # Formatting specifiers | Specifier | Function | | --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `%d` | Display an integer | | `%f` | Display a float. Specify the number of places to round to by adding a decimal and a number, eg `%.2f` would round to two decimal places. |