1. To write a C program, the programmer opens an edit window in an IDE to write code. They must then save the file, which the editor assigns a default name by default or the programmer can specify a name and location. 2. The programmer then compiles the code, which converts it into an object file. If there are no errors, it is successfully compiled. Otherwise, errors are reported. 3. The object file is then linked with library files by a linker, which produces an executable file. 4. Finally, the programmer executes the program by running the executable file, which loads it into memory.