C Standard Library

C Standard Library

C standard headers, common types, macros, and the main families of C library functions.

How to use this reference page

Use reference pages to confirm names, categories, nearby facilities, and the constraints that matter before writing or reviewing code.

  • Scan the top of the page first to identify the primary types, functions, or algorithm families involved.
  • Use the nearby-page links when your question is really about a companion header, related algorithm family, or broader subsystem.
  • Validate tricky behavior with a small compileable example before relying on memory for details like invalidation, ordering, allocation, or lifetime rules.

C Standard Library

If you want the headers grouped as a fast index first, use C standard headers index.

Language-support and utility headers

<assert.h>

<errno.h>

<stddef.h>

<stdint.h>

<stdbool.h>

<stdalign.h> and <stdnoreturn.h>

Memory, allocation, and process headers

<stdlib.h>

<string.h>

<ctype.h>

I/O headers

<stdio.h>

<stdarg.h>

Time, math, locale, and signal headers

<time.h>

<math.h>

<locale.h>

<signal.h>

Newer or specialized headers

<stdatomic.h>

<threads.h>

<uchar.h>

Practical note

The C standard library is defined by headers, macros, types, and function families. In real code, always confirm exact signatures and platform-specific behavior before relying on edge-case semantics.

Nearby reference pages

Example in practice

#include <vector>
#include <algorithm>

int main() {
    std::vector<int> values{4, 1, 3, 2};
    std::sort(values.begin(), values.end());
}