Which computer scientist developed the high level programming language C, widely used for system software and application development?

Introduction / Context:
The C programming language is one of the most influential high level languages in computer science. It has been used to implement operating systems, compilers, utilities and many other applications. Knowing who created C is a standard general knowledge question in computer awareness exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks who invented or developed the C language.
• Options include Dennis M. Ritchie, Donald Knuth, Niklaus Wirth, Seymour Papert and Bjarne Stroustrup.
• We assume familiarity with names of key computer scientists and their languages or contributions.

Concept / Approach:
Dennis M. Ritchie, working at Bell Labs in the early 1970s, designed and implemented the C programming language. C was closely tied to the development of the UNIX operating system. Donald Knuth is known for the TeX typesetting system and the multi volume work The Art of Computer Programming. Niklaus Wirth developed languages such as Pascal and Modula. Seymour Papert is known for the Logo language and educational computing. Bjarne Stroustrup created C Plus Plus, which extends C with object oriented features.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that C was created at Bell Labs in conjunction with the UNIX operating system project. Step 2: Dennis M. Ritchie led this effort and authored early references on the C language together with Brian Kernighan. Step 3: Donald Knuth contributed heavily to algorithms and TeX but is not associated with C. Step 4: Niklaus Wirth created Pascal, a language used widely in teaching, and later Modula and Oberon. Step 5: Seymour Papert promoted Logo, a language designed for children and educational use, rather than systems programming. Step 6: Bjarne Stroustrup built on C to create C Plus Plus, but the base language C already existed and was Ritchie's work. Step 7: Therefore, the correct answer is Dennis M. Ritchie.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical summaries of programming language development and official documentation for C consistently credit Dennis M. Ritchie as the designer of C. The well known book "The C Programming Language" lists Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie as authors, further linking his name with the language. Biographical notes from Bell Labs mention his role in both UNIX and C, confirming his central contribution.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Donald Knuth, Niklaus Wirth, Seymour Papert and Bjarne Stroustrup are all important figures in computing, but each is associated with different languages or fields. Knuth with TeX and algorithm analysis, Wirth with Pascal and related languages, Papert with Logo and educational theory and Stroustrup with C Plus Plus. None of them originated the C language itself, which makes their names incorrect answers for this specific question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse C and C Plus Plus and may incorrectly select Bjarne Stroustrup as the creator of C. To avoid this, remember that C came first and C Plus Plus extends it. Linking Ritchie with C and Stroustrup with C Plus Plus will help you answer questions about the history of these languages accurately.

Final Answer:
The C programming language was developed by Dennis M. Ritchie.