Thread: Best resource for intro to C?

Well, aside from asking questions on here (which is always a great idea, provided you try to solve the problem yourself too), there's books online. A good place to start is informit.com - they have a bunch of free books online to check out. Also, http://www.ty.sx.cn/wenxue/diannao/lci21/index.html has all of Learn C in 21 Days. There's other boards similar to (but not nearly as good as... *g*) this one at programmerheaven.com. That help a little?

I recommend you buy a good book or two rather than relying on online tutorials. Online tutorials are helpful but they rarely go into depth on any particular subject but are more likely to skim over things.

for beginning c something like c for dummies or the c primer would be ideal.Neither of these are too expensive.

You can't get a book that explains everything. If you want the definition of C than you can get it in a .pdf format, but this is a technical document, it's called ANSI ISO/IEC 9899.

The #include means that the compiler will include definitions from the specified libraries. Some libraries are essential such as 'standard input/output'. In order to get a technical understanding you might want to reference 9899 but you would also need to understand the internals of your operating system.

There are many good books that teach 'C'. Start by reading one of them. Go to this website: www.accu.org and look under the book reviews for information.

Btw, the links I posted (for Learn C in 21 Days and informit.com) aren't online tutorials. They're copies of actual books that you can buy, except they've been transferred onto the web.

C for dummies is great as a first step. The two books will guide you through loads of usefull things that youreally do need to progress with the language. IE

Structures
Arrays
Pointers (oh yeah - pay attention to this)
File IO.........

The books are very "hand holding" - which is why many are turned off by them. But I thought they were good. And Gookin's site carrys extra lessons - link lists, system calls..... He also answers emailed questions - as long as you dont p#ss him off!

A C++ book would be okay if he was taking C++ but that is not the case. I know lots of good C++ books but what is the point?

>>The teach yourself c++ by Jessy Liberty (c# traitor!) is better and does not
assume any programming expeirence

I've bought that in an effort to wean me off straight C and onto C++. It is quite a good book I must admit, but I have only managed to do a few chapters (other things coming up and stealing my attention - Java, Delphi, Winsock.....)

Herb Schildt's book "C - the complete reference" is also good. Loads of functions, intro to Winapi (well a very bare one at least), linked lists, search & sort techniques....... My only problem with the book is its binding - the damn thing is held together with sticky tape and elastic bands!

I have been using C: How to Program by Deitel and Deitel to teach myself and its not a bad book (but i have no college tutoring to back me up) - it has lots of very good programming exercises to do. However as it is primarily used as a college textbook it contains no answers (i created a fuss with the publishers in the US and UK and managed to get a copy of the instructors answers though - i swear i answer the questions first and only use these to check my results off)... it also comes with chapters on introducing java and c++

i started programming with C++.
i do not understand, why bother to learn C first?
learn C++ and you will know C.
am i mistaken?