C All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies

NOTE ABOUT WINDOWS VISTA/WINDOWS 7: There are many FREE compiler's that work with this book available to download! Before I type my review I realize that it is highly possible that some people may be contemplating purchasing this book, but wondering if they can find a compiler to use with this book on modern Windows Vista/Windows 7 computers. The answer is yes there are many FREE compilers my personal favorite is listed at the end of this review.If you use Linux you will most probably already have the gcc compiler installed on your system!C is my favorited programming language. C came before C++ and in my opinion gets less attention these days than it should! I also know some C++ and BASIC(QBASIC, yabasic, and Liberty BASIC)-I don't recomend learning basic these days. I use C and sometimes C++ on both Windows and Linux(Ubuntu) systems and in the past have used Red Hat and Mandrake Linux with C++.This is a great book for learning C if you have little or no programming experience, and even if you have some experience with another programming language. I have never read the "C for Dummies" by the same author, but if you have any trouble following this book the other is supposed to be slower paced and explain things in a more understandable way.The author does an amazing job at balancing hummor and information. I hope this author, the author of the first for Dummies book, publishes some more C books and hopefully a couple books on Intel and AMD assemly.If you know how to use a computer and maybe have programmed a little in C++ or another language this book, "C All-In-One Desk Reference" will probably be easy for you to follow.In my opinion this is a great book and any college student about to take C or anyone interested in learning programming will probably find this book extreamly helpful.A FEW NOTES: (If you are new to C you can skip these two notes and goto the HELP and then the RECOMENDED IDE and COMPILER NOTE BELLOW!1. fflush and fpurge are not to be used to clear the input stream in the context mentioned in the book. The authors website offers a better solution in his FAQ page.2. gets is an EXTREAMLY DANGEROUS INSECURE function. It is ok when you are learning C, but for proffessional code it needs to be replaced by a more secure function. The authors website offers a fix for this problem the fgets function.fgets sets a limit on the number of characters it can read in and is thus not dangerous. You can write a simple find and replace algorythm to remove the automatically inserted newline character.HELP!If you type a program exactly as it is written in the book and it wont compile goto the authors website listed in the book and click on errata it could be a typo. There are a few of these typos, but they are all very well documented on the authors website. I went through the errors on the authors page and marked them down in my two coppies of this book. They are not major errors only small typos.RECOMENDED IDE and COMPILER for Windows Vista/Windows 7:My favorited IDE and Compiler for the Windows Vista and Windows 7 platform is Code::Blocks with the included MinGW compiler.I highly recomend this FREE IDE/Compiler bundle. This package works with C and also with C++.For beginners, I believe this package is perfect, after downloading the approximately 70 MB file that includes both CodeBlocks and MinGW you can install it simply like installing any oter applications.TO DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL CODE::BLOCKS:1. Go to the Codeblocks website and click downloads, then click binaries, and finally select Windows.2. There should be two downloads a smaller one and a larger one. The larger one approximately 70 MB is the one that contains the compiler! So if you don't already have a compiler download this package.3. Install by just following the directions.4. Then you are readdy to go!;

Very good book for learning the C programming language. I would, however, suggest that before delving into learning ANY programming language that you develop a foundation in the Logic and Design Principles that are the very essence of coding. Learning a programming language and learning how to code are two separate things. If you are interested in learning to program, but have no prior experience, I would recommend that you first pick up a copy of "Programming Logic and Design, Introductory" by Joyce Farrell. This book introduces, on a basic (but precise and succinct) level, the universal fundamentals of structured programming. It is the book that I used in my CIS-115 class, which was "Introduction to Programming and Logic."Farrell's book does not deal with any specific programming language, although it briefly mentions some. It is well worth it to pickup a copy; even an older copy, which I am sure you can find for a few bucks; the principles will be the same.Never-the-less, I would highly recommend this book for individuals interested in learning the C programming language and about the history of the language in general. I would also recommend that if you are going to program in C that you do so in a Unix/Unix Like environment, such as Mac OS X, FreeBSD, or any respectable Linux distribution such as Ubuntu.Peace be with you,- Jacob

This is an excellent book for beginners or for those just curious about the C language and how it differs from C++ and others.The author takes things step by step which is an excellent platform for beginners. Experienced programmers will probably be bored by this book. He uses easy to follow examples and analogies for different programming concepts such as pointers.Even though C isn't as widely used anymore (except for kernels and drivers)the concepts you learn are easily applied to other programming languages such as C#, Java, and of course C++.Once you read this book you'll have a much easier time transitioning to other languages.My only gripe is that it goes a bit too slow for me.

A+:I am learning and enjoying myself at the same time. This book is written well. I don't know if it is something that I appreciate because I am older but it is laid out in a logical order. Small bites are much better when presented this way.############################################################################// Now for the F. Amazon kindle is unkind to the format... and my eyes!!. Here is why:############################################################################1. The "type this in your editor" code used to have a slightly shaded background to distinguish itself from theory and other information. So you knew THIS STUFF IS WHAT DOES IN YOUR EDITOR and the other parts are explaining why.// ----> NOT ANYMORE!! <-------- and its sad.2. All the fonts are the SAME in my kindle dx. So trying to tell where code begins and ends is more difficult.** I had to go to google play and buy this book again to have the PDF version. The fonts are much better this way. But in the revised version, the shaded background behind the code is also gone. Maybe I was too hard on Amazon. But the font problem is at least an Amazon thing!!!In summery, I bought this book two times. Once through Amazon and once on google play. It is worth it. I am not angry because I dont mind supporting good people and good work. Just wish the code was easier to read with shaded background behind it.

The author does a job like I have never seen before. He brings things down to a layman’s level. It more so.. digs into the concepts and relates them well. He stays away from catchwords like we see in computer science books especialllly textbooks. Amazing! Job! Thank you so much. I added C to my belt in less than a month.

Bel libro, facile da comprendere e leggero

This is by far my favourite introductory programming book of all time, giving an excellent introduction to the world of C programming. C may not be a popular choice of programming language for newbies by today's standards, but I can't recommend it enough. This gives you a proper foundation for how more advanced languages operate, while giving you massive low-level control and compact efficiency.Dan Gookin's sense of humour definitely helped keep me going while learning the complexities of computer programming, and I often recommend this book to my friends for his brilliant explanations, and silliness he brings to the experience. I owe him many thanks for getting me started in my programming career, and I revisit this reference quite frequently. Cheers, Dan!

Well written...the puns and joke are actually useful tips to highlight some dos and donts..

The best I really love this book.Makes the stuff simple and fun.It gives important points and most importantly doesn't make c complicated

If you really want to learn C from begging, then this book is what i recommend. To advance deeper into C this book is not that much of help but very good for beginners and acts as a very good guide for moderate programmers.Thank you Dan Gookin for writing such a wonderful book. :)