How do C and Unix relate to modern operating systems?

Answered in Dennis Ritchie's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

The principles forged in C and Unix are foundational to much of modern computing. The C language remains a cornerstone for system programming, embedded systems, and performance-critical applications. Unix-like operating systems, from Linux to macOS, have inherited its design paradigms. The emphasis on modularity, portable code, and command-line interfaces continues to shape how we develop and interact with software. The ideas of clarity and efficiency still resonate.

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