C programming language was developed by which computer scientist?

Introduction / Context:
C is one of the most influential programming languages in computer science history. It has greatly influenced the design of many later languages and is still widely used for systems programming, operating systems, embedded devices and performance critical applications. Knowing who created C is part of basic computer awareness and history. This question asks you to identify the computer scientist who developed the C language.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the origin of the C programming language.
• The options list several notable figures: Charles Babbage, Larry Wall, James Gosling, Dennis Ritchie and Bjarne Stroustrup.
• Only one of these is correctly associated with the creation of C.

Concept / Approach:
C was developed in the early 1970s at Bell Labs by Dennis Ritchie. It evolved from an earlier language called B and was used to implement the Unix operating system. Other names in the options are connected with different achievements. Charles Babbage is known as a pioneer of mechanical computing. Larry Wall created the Perl language. James Gosling designed Java. Bjarne Stroustrup created C++. Matching each person with their contribution helps identify the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that C originated at Bell Labs.Step 2: Remember that Dennis Ritchie worked there and led the development of both C and parts of Unix.Step 3: Recognize that Charles Babbage lived in the nineteenth century and was not involved with modern programming languages.Step 4: Identify Larry Wall as the creator of Perl and James Gosling as the creator of Java.Step 5: Associate Bjarne Stroustrup with C++, an extension of C, not with the original C itself.Step 6: Conclude that Dennis Ritchie is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Many programming textbooks and histories of Unix state that C was developed by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs in order to rewrite the Unix operating system in a higher level language. The close link between C and Unix is often mentioned in exam preparation material. The biographies of Larry Wall, James Gosling and Bjarne Stroustrup clearly associate them with Perl, Java and C++ respectively, not with C. This consistent information across sources confirms that Dennis Ritchie is the creator of C.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A, Charles Babbage, is known as an early computing pioneer who designed mechanical engines, long before modern languages existed.
• Option B, Larry Wall, created the Perl scripting language in the late twentieth century.
• Option C, James Gosling, is the lead designer of the Java programming language.
• Option E, Bjarne Stroustrup, developed C++ as an extension to C but did not create C itself.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse C and C++ due to their similar names and syntax, leading some learners to choose Bjarne Stroustrup by accident. Another pitfall is to select famous names like Charles Babbage without linking them to the correct era and technology. To avoid errors, always connect each person with their specific achievement and timeline.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Dennis Ritchie.