Beginning Programming With C For Dummies [Dummies1337]

❂   Beginning Programming With C For Dummies   ❂
by Dan Gookin  (Author)

Learn the basics of programming with C with this fun and friendly guide!

C offers a reliable, strong foundation for programming and serves as a stepping stone upon which to expand your knowledge and learn additional programming languages. Written by veteran For Dummies author Dan Gookin, this straightforward-but-fun beginner's guide covers the fundamentals of using C and gradually walks you through more advanced topics including pointers, linked lists, file I/O, and debugging. With a special focus on the subject of an Integrated Development Environment, it gives you a solid understanding of computer programming in general as you learn to program with C.

Encourages you to gradually increase your knowledge and understanding of C, with each chapter building off the previous one
Provides you with a solid foundation of understanding the C language so you can take on larger programming projects, learn new popular programming languages, and tackle new topics with confidence
Includes more than 100 sample programs with code that are adaptable to your own projects
Beginning Programming with C For Dummies assumes no previous programming language experience and helps you become competent and comfortable with the fundamentals of C in no time.



This tutorial leads you by the hand all the way, but in contrast to Perry's C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide, it is more detailed and expects readers to exert some effort. The tone is light and friendly as befits a Dummies book and the pace never drags. The author does a good job of not using concepts without explanation or at least some warning.

He gives complete instructions for installing the Code::Blocks IDE and uses it throughout, so it is equally convenient for Windows, Linux, and Mac users. While C11 is assumed, he doesn't actually get into specific C99/11 features. I found the explanations very polished and clear, though longer than in Perry, so gratification is less immediate. There were a few things that raised an eyebrow, such as when he said that enums are an old-fashioned feature you should just ignore (p. 225).

Some people don't like the glib style of the Dummies books. Horton's Beginning C is written in a matter-of-fact tone. For a very gentle and detailed approach without the glibness, try Kochan's Programming in C. Although both target the beginner, neither holds your hand to the degree that Gookin does.

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