Why Do We Still Use C in 2026?

C++ is only 2.7% more popular than C, yet C is used in many important fields due to its low-level access to hardware, which is crucial for systems requiring direct control and efficiency.

C is predominantly used in election vote-counting machines. While many robots use specialized languages, these often share syntax similar to C, indicating its foundational influence.

The C language is used in the medical industry. Blackberry QNX, an operating system for microkernels, is built using C and C++, and applications for this OS are also coded in C or C++. This highlights its importance in critical medical devices and systems.

Major operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS have significant parts written in C. Furthermore, NASA has utilized C for the Mars Curiosity Rover's flight software, and the European Space Agency's Rosetta Mission software is also written in C.

C controls traffic lights, indicating its role in civic infrastructure. In the automotive industry, C is used in anti-lock braking systems and engine control units. In aerospace, flight control software for aircraft like the F-22 Raptor is written in C, and maritime navigation software also relies on C, demonstrating its pervasive control across various modes of transportation.