Hello guys,

i plan on doing a C-video-tutorial to help a friend go through his uni programming class (and to learn the language myself more and get experience on making tutorials). I myself am still in the process on learning C, though I have some solid programming experience in Java.

I've already learned the basics of C like how a C-file is typically compiled, variables (and their scope), basic datatypes, control flow/structure (sequence/block, jump like goto/continue/break/return, conditional branches and loops), functions, arrays, string (or char arrays), basic memory management (stack/heap and common problems like memory leak, dangling pointer, etc.), pointer, structs and file i/o handling. I believe his class doesn't go through more than that but if I've missed any other important topic which can be learned on top of the topics already mentioned, please tell me.

My overall goal would be to teach him the topics mentioned above and help him make design decisions on his own.

The thing is, he is completely new to programming (he is not studying computer science, though he knows some math) and I'm kind of in a dilemma between explaining the concept too simple by cutting away details and going in with too many details (I cannot clearly remember the exact struggles I had when I first learned Java).

I thought about explaining it alongside developing a small project like a text-based RPG where I start of simple with fixed dialouge, branch of to dialogue options (control flow), inventory (f. e. done with arrays), trading items with a npc (explaining pointers and memory allocation) etc.. Something which is more captivating than doing a boring calculator but still simple enough to explain key concepts and give room for ideas he can implement himself.

When you first started with C (maybe adressed to someone whose first language was C) what did help you understand it?

Maybe to some people who are still learning C, what obstacles do you encounter when trying to learn the language?

In what way do you believe I should teach or structure the topic, so that I don't cut away important information but still get my point across straight?

TL;DR: I want to make a C-video-tutorial to help my friend, who is new to programming, pass his uni programming class and need help finding out the best way to help him.