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Beginning C: From Novice to Professional
C is the programming language of choice when speed and reliability are required. It is used for many low-level tasks, such as device drivers and operating-system programming. For example, much of Windows and Linux is based on C programming. The updated 4th edition of Beginning C builds on the strengths of its predecessors to offer an essential guide for anyone who wants to learn C or desires a ‘brush-up’ in this compact, fundamental language. This classic from author, lecturer and respected academic Ivor Horton is the essential guide for anyone looking to learn the C language from the ground up.
- GenresProgramming
639 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1994
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41 people want to read
About the author
Ivor Horton
63 books18 followersIvor Horton is self-employed in consultancy and writes programming tutorials. He started out as a mathematician, but shortly after graduating, he was lured into messing about with computers by a well-known manufacturer. Horton's experience at IBM includes programming in most languages (like assembler and high-level languages on a variety of machines), real-time programming, and designing and implementing real-time closed loop industrial control systems. He has extensive experience teaching programming to engineers and scientists (Fortran, PL/1, APL, etc.). Horton is an expert in mechanical, process, and electronic CAD systems; mechanical CAM systems; and DNC/CNC systems. He has spent many happy years programming occasionally useful applications in a variety of languages as well as teaching mainly scientists and engineers to do likewise. He has extensive experience in applying computers to problems in engineering design and to manufacturing operations in a wide range of industries. He is the author of a number of tutorial books on programming in C, C++, and Java. When not writing programming books or providing advice to others, he leads a life of leisure.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 12, 2014
This book is the worst book to learn about C, the author doesn not specify what compiler he uses. This is very detrimental, because different compilers have different ways to interpret a piece of code.
At first, he used the GNU GCC compiler, but later, switched to using functions such as scanf_s, printf_s. These are from the microsoft compiler. However, the examples do not have any microsoft header file, so simply cutting and pasting the code into a regular compiler doesn't work.
Moreover, the author does not mention when he switched to using microsoft compiler until near the end of the book. It took me too much time to figure out this and I had to keep changing to code and not learning anything about C coding.
It seems that using microsoft C/C++ compiler is fine. However, some of this code do not work in this environment either.
The codes also have very bad style, and some really really dumb algorithms. This does not teach me good coding for beginner, which is very important.
Keep note that if your code is badly written, when you submit your code to your company, you will not get paid.
Having useless examples, the end of chapter exercises really would not help.
I did not learn anything from this book.
At first, he used the GNU GCC compiler, but later, switched to using functions such as scanf_s, printf_s. These are from the microsoft compiler. However, the examples do not have any microsoft header file, so simply cutting and pasting the code into a regular compiler doesn't work.
Moreover, the author does not mention when he switched to using microsoft compiler until near the end of the book. It took me too much time to figure out this and I had to keep changing to code and not learning anything about C coding.
It seems that using microsoft C/C++ compiler is fine. However, some of this code do not work in this environment either.
The codes also have very bad style, and some really really dumb algorithms. This does not teach me good coding for beginner, which is very important.
Keep note that if your code is badly written, when you submit your code to your company, you will not get paid.
Having useless examples, the end of chapter exercises really would not help.
I did not learn anything from this book.
January 12, 2014
This is a worst book in C. The author wrote his code out of thin air, did not compile it, and just sold his book. He did not specify what compiler he used, some of his codes wouldn't work on Microsoft compiler although he does use some microsoft input/output functions. They also wouldn't work on other compilers as they don't use the above functions. I had to modify them to test the result.
The section about bitwise operators are too confusing and are too unhelpful. This book wasted my time too much.
The section about bitwise operators are too confusing and are too unhelpful. This book wasted my time too much.
December 20, 2016
This book about the C programming language covers almost everything starters in the computer sciences need to introduce themselves in the computer science's universe.
Mr. Horton's unique and siple tone guides you through the complexities of the topic with interesting examples, keeping your atention and interest troughout the chapters in a way few authors achieve when dealing with beginner material.
A highly recommended reading if you're interested in learning C.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews