Thread: C Book Recommendations

C: A Software Engineering Approach
~Sven

I actually took out K&R 2nd Edition from my library when I first started. It had an appendix in the back that listed all of the headers in the standard library and then in each of those sections it prototyped and explained all of the functions declared in the header.
~Sven

EDIT~ Also not on that topic I highly recommend "C An All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies" for beginners.

I've only just started learning C. Our "class" text is "C Programming" by Larry Ullman and Marc Liyanage (ISBN: 0-321-28763-0).


PROS

1) I really like the way it is laid out. It starts with the basic concepts and code and builds slowly so you can not only use it as a reference book, but also as a tutorial. I like that concept. I think the publishers (Peachpit Press) call this layout a "Visual Quickstart Guide".

2) It gives example programs that illustrate certain concepts then they go over the code, line by line, explaining what each bit does in detail. I find that this helps me a great deal.

3) Unlike some of the books I have seen, it doesn't automatically assume that you use a Windows machine. All the code has been checked out on Windows, MacOSX and Linux and they even include some basic info about IDEs on all 3 platforms and how to use them. If there is any platform specific information given, it is clearly marked as such.

CONS

1) The only thing I don't like about this book is that it is possibly a bit too basic for me. Even though I am a begginer, I am finding that I am flying through it. I'd probably prefer a slightly steeper learning curve but this is perhaps just a personal preference. You might argue that this book is too good at making C easy to understand so perhaps this isn't even a con.

In short, this book is excellent for begginers on all platforms and regardless of IDE but it may be a little bit basic for a faster learner or someone who is already familiar with the basic concepts of programming (eg. loops, variables, etc).

I'd highly recommend it for anyone who is new to C in particular and programming in general.

ANSI C Programming by E Balagurusamy is quite good.

I found this book:

"C Programming," by Mike McGrath, for $10 at Barnes & Noble. While I have several other C books, I find myself finding quick answers to those little questions that pop up. It certainly isn't as comprehensive as many of the aforementioned texts but for ten bucks a guy can't go wrong...

And it does have several ANSI IO libraries as well as the ASCII characters in it--and it only takes a second to find everything. Great addition to the C library.

TB

C Programming, A Modern Approach
by K.N. King

it's a big book (660 pgs) but really good for the beginner. i reference this book all the time because i find the explainations easy to understand. uses the 'spiral approach to learning'. very complete--also includes an intro to C++.

ISBN 0-393-96945-2

http://www.comeaucomputing.com/booklist/

I like Prata's C Primer Plus 5/ed. Pretty comprehensive.

Expert C Programming - Deep C Secrets by Peter Van der Linden is a very good book but not for beginners.

Can look complicated sometimes but very useful in getting a solid understanding...

Originally Posted by hzmonte

I like Prata's C Primer Plus 5/ed. Pretty comprehensive.

I'm surprised it took so long for someone to recommend this book.

It's got a great reference section, it covers the topics really well and the thing I liked the most was the practice exercises at the end of each chapter which I didn't really find in many other books.

C Programming: A modern approach by K.N. King
An excellent and easy to understand introduction to intermediate level of C. I ve been using it since my Bachelors whenever I want to have a clear understanding of something basic.

These two are best book on C and Data Structures

1. C In Depth 2nd edition
BPB Publication
Deepali Srivastava

This is best book I have ever seen. Each chapter of this book is unique and ultimate.
Each chapters like control statement, functions, array, pointer, structure, file handling, Bit manipulation, preprocessors and others are so simple as well as given in detail and also how it has been used while doing system software development.

I have never seen Pointers and File handling in this wonderful way. As well as got how to develop one project in C and code optimization in this book in very easy way.

I really got good knowledge and confidence after studing this book.

And I am really agree with autor words who claim that this book make students from learner to developer.

2. Data Structures Through C In Depth
BPB Publication
Deepali Srivastava

This book has most of the data structures explained in very easy way as well as implementation is also given in way that anyone can understand easily.

I went trough 4-5 books but was able to understand the data structures from this only as most of the books have not given implementation.

Unfortunately author has written the book only on these two topics and I have seen lot of people asking her to write on other topic as well.

As I was also searching book C++ In Depth by her but came to know that it has not been written and have requested her in mail that we need on this as well.

First, I think its impotant to remember that all
books can have errors. I've wasted hours assuming
some code from a book is perfect, just to discover
it had logic errors I did not expect, so wasn't looking
for. The same for code you find on the Internet.
Everyone makes mistakes. I make a lot of them.
These books have been useful for me. I hope
they are some use to you.

Beginning Linux Programming
WROX Press by N.Matthew & R.Stones
ISBN 1-874416-68-0
all except the chapter on shells is in C.
Great for learning to program with Linux
using C. It does not teach you how to program
in C. You should know some of that already.

SAMS Teach Yourself Linux Programming in
24 Hours. ISBN 0-672-31582-3
Great for learning to program with Linux
using C. You have to know how to program
in C already for this book to be useful.

SAMS Teach Yourself C in 24 Hours
ISBN 0-672-31861-x
A basic C tutorial for learning the basics of C.
A fine book for starting.

POSIX Programmer's Guide
Writing Portable UNIX Programs
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc
D.A.Lewine ISBN 0-937175-73-0
This is an old book and might not be in print
anymore.

Originally Posted by nappaji

Expert C Programming - Deep C Secrets by Peter Van der Linden is a very good book but not for beginners.

Can look complicated sometimes but very useful in getting a solid understanding...

Useful and funny, that's one of the best technique book I've ever seen!

Another book, C Traps and Pitfalls by Andrew Koenig.
Abstract of this book,
"The C language is like a carving knife: simple, sharp, and extremely useful in skilled hands. Like any sharp tool, C can injure people who don’t know how to handle it. This paper shows some of the ways C can injure the unwary, and how to avoid injury."