The C Programming Language (2nd Edition)

[Saint Nick]

The C Programming Language (2nd Edition)

Long story short:

I want to learn some C/C++ before I actually have my classes on it next semester. Is this a good book to go for? Thanks!

 

[Red and black]

C/C++ is not a language. C is a language (with many variants). C++ is a language (with even more variants), which is mostly backward compatible with C. The book above is a book on C. It's a fine book, as long as you already know how to program.

 

[icelazer]

Sitting in front of me at work right now. I concur, it's an excellent C reference on what the functions do, prototypes, usage, and some examples. It's best if you know C++ or C first, don't use this as a teaching tool if you have no C/C++ knowledge.

 

[Markbnj]

That's a great reference that nearly every C programmer has sitting nearby, but I wouldn't get it for the purpose of learning C++. C++ does inherit many C style and syntactic conventions, but almost all of its compexity is in the things it adds to C. I learned the language back in 1987 or so, and haven't kept up with entry-level materials and what is available. When I was doing it there were a couple of standards:

C++ Primer, 2nd Ed., Lippman
Thinking in C++, Eckel
Programming C++, Dewhurst/Stark
The Annotated C++ Reference Manual ("The ARM"), Ellis/Stroustrup

If you are new to lower level languages like C, I would also suggest:

Algorithms in C, Sedgwick

 

[Spydermag68]

You can download Bruce Eckel's books for free.

Books

I like his books, so I also books so well that I went to B&N an got the paperback copies.

 

[xtknight]

I can get all I need to know and more on the Internet.

 

[Markbnj]

I can get all I need to know and more on the Internet.

Yeah, that's really true these days. I confess that I haven't resorted to my bookshelf much in the last five years.

 

[Red and black]

Another great C++ book ( not intro level, though ) is "C++ Strategies and Tactics" by Robert Murray.

 

[Spacecomber]

I don't know anything about programming, but if you are planning to take courses on the subject and want a head start, why not buy the books that you are going to use in the course, now?

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Try Accelerated C++ for a good c++ book. It teaches c++ the "modern" way, without starting by learning C.

Also, C++ Primer is ow up to the 4th edition, and is a good book as well.

 

[xtknight]

www.cplusplus.com is great for C++.

 

[Saint Nick]

well... i know how to program (i only learned pascal in HS).

so what would be some good teaching books?

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: Spacecomber
I don't know anything about programming, but if you are planning to take courses on the subject and want a head start, why not buy the books that you are going to use in the course, now?

Brilliant!

 

[kamper]

Isn't K&R C a dated standard now? I mean, I'm sure most of it's still right on, but wouldn't you be picking up some bad habits?

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: kamper
Isn't K&R C a dated standard now? I mean, I'm sure most of it's still right on, but wouldn't you be picking up some bad habits?

As I was taught, K&R should always be the last word as far as standard C goes...



C++ From the Ground Up was a fairly good learning textbook for C++...

 

[kamper]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: kamper
Isn't K&R C a dated standard now? I mean, I'm sure most of it's still right on, but wouldn't you be picking up some bad habits?

As I was taught, K&R should always be the last word as far as standard C goes...

But k&r is way older than ansi To be honest, the only thing I really know about it is that all the BSDs seem to be trying to get rid of it in favour of ansi. What are the linux kernel and gnu libs written with?

 

[AznMaverick]

This is a great reference, for c++ the strousop (sp?) book is good

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: AznMaverick
This is a great reference, for c++ the strousop (sp?) book is good

As a reference, yes, but not as a learning tool, IMO.

FYI, the K&R book in the OP is in its third edition now.