awesome-c

This repository is a curated directory of open-source C programming resources: libraries, tools, frameworks, and learning materials. It covers only pure C, not C++, and every entry listed must be open source under a recognized license. The project itself is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license, meaning you can share and adapt the list as long as you credit the source and use the same license.

The list is organized into dozens of categories, each covering a different area of software development. Categories include AI and machine learning, build systems, compilers, compression, data structures, databases, cryptography, networking, graphics, testing, and many more. Each entry gives the library name, a one-sentence description, and the license it uses. This makes it straightforward to check whether a given tool fits your legal requirements before adopting it.

The intended audience is C programmers who need to find a reliable library or tool for a specific task rather than writing everything from scratch. Instead of searching the web and sifting through irrelevant results, a developer can come here and scan a focused list maintained by contributors who have already vetted the options. The learning section adds value for beginners or people transitioning into C, pointing toward books and tutorials at different skill levels.

Contributions are welcome, but the README points to a CONTRIBUTING.md file with guidelines that must be read first. The list excludes anything that is not purely open source or that relates to C++ rather than C. The full README is longer than what was shown.