C by Dissection: The Essentials of C Programming (4th Edition) [Paperback]

Al Kelley (Author), Ira Pohl (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201713748 | ISBN-13: 978-0201713749 | Publication Date: November 9, 2000 | Edition: 4

C by Dissection presents a thorough introduction to the programming process by carefully developing working programs to illuminate key features of the C programming language. This book presents the concepts of the programming process using the "dissection" method. Dissection is a unique tool first developed by the authors to point out key features of program code. It is similar to a structured walk-through of the code, with the intention of explaining newly encountered programming elements and idioms as found in working code. Each chapter presents a number of carefully explained programs, which lead the reader in a holistic manner to ever-improving programming skills. Right from the start, the reader is introduced to complete programs, and at an early point in the book is introduced to writing functions as a major feature of structured programming. This edition features expanded treatment of pointers, memory management, and recursion. It also takes into account the fact that many people are learning Java as a first language and then going to C, or vice-versa, and calls out those topics that present a challenge when making such transitions (e.g. i/o, data types). This book assumes no programming background and can be used by first-time computer users or by experienced programmers who are transitioning to C.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

C by Dissection presents a thorough introduction to the programming process by carefully developing working programs to illuminate key features of the C programming language. This book presents the concepts of the programming process using the "dissection" method. Dissection is a unique tool first developed by the authors to point out key features of program code. It is similar to a structured walk-through of the code, with the intention of explaining newly encountered programming elements and idioms as found in working code. Each chapter presents a number of carefully explained programs, which lead the reader in a holistic manner to ever-improving programming skills. Right from the start, the reader is introduced to complete programs, and at an early point in the book is introduced to writing functions as a major feature of structured programming. This edition features expanded treatment of pointers, memory management, and recursion. It also takes into account the fact that many people are learning Java as a first language and then going to C, or vice-versa, and calls out those topics that present a challenge when making such transitions (e.g. i/o, data types). This book assumes no programming background and can be used by first-time computer users or by experienced programmers who are transitioning to C.

About the Author

Ira Pohl is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz and holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University. His research interests include artificial intelligence, the C and C++ programming languages, practical complexity problems, heuristic search methods, deductive algorithms, and educational and social issues. He originated error analysis in heuristic search methods and deductive algorithms. Professor Pohl was formerly a Mackay professor at University of California- Berkeley and a ZWO fellow in the Netherlands. He is the author or co-author of Object-Oriented Programming Using C++, C++ Distilled: A Concise Ansi/Iso Reference and Style Guide, C by Dissection: The Essentials of C Programming, A Book on C: Programming in C, C++ for C Programmers, C++ for Fortran Programmers, C++ for Pascal Programmers, and Turbo C: The Essentials of C Programming, all published by Addison-Wesley. 0805331492AB04062001 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 641 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 4 edition (November 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201713748
• ISBN-13: 978-0201713749
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > C & C++ Windows Programming

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and easy to follow., August 14, 1999

By 

DVS01 ([e-mail]) (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C by Dissection: The Essentials of C Programming (Paperback)

C by Dissection, Third Edition is a great book. It is very easy to understand and provides a lot of information. The dissections of programs and explanations of the various features of the C language are very informative, clear, and consistent, which makes things very understandable and easy to follow. After explaining major features and terms in the chapters, the exercises that follow them let the reader put their newly learned knowledge to practice and further strengthen their coding skills.

This book can be useful for both beginners and experienced programmers. Things such as advice on coding style and structured programming, system considerations for code portability, and forewarnings of common programming errors to avoid, help the programmer develop good coding habits and increasing skills. For those who want to learn C++, there is a "Moving to C++" section available at the end of each chapter and near the end of the book, which describe the new features of C++ and how to use them. The appendixes at the very end of the book provide a complete reference of functions and macros in the standard library, communicating with the preprocessor, explanations on bitwise operations, a comparison of ANSI C to Traditional C, and other useful guides.

I've had a great learning experience reading this book, and recommend it to anyone who wants to learn C and C++.

-DVS01

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read for Knowledge, March 16, 2000

By 

susi draper (El Paso, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C by Dissection: The Essentials of C Programming (Paperback)

I have read all of the reviews above. People either hate this book or love it. I teach C programming at a state university and use this book in a series of C class from beginning to advanced.

This book is not for the type of person that enjoys the "learn X in 21 days" concept. This is for those who wish to learn the subject in its entirety and understand WHY things work like they do. This book not only gives explainations in detail (such as short circuit evaluations) but it also gives several other options for coding the same solution.

This is a book to be studied not skimmed. It can be used a book for beginners and can be carried through advanced topics. If used correctly, it is a GREAT book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Use the Source, Luke!, April 9, 1998

By 

Steven J. Owens - See all my reviews

This review is from: C by Dissection: The Essentials of C Programming (Paperback)

One of the best intro C books I've seen.

Any hardcore programmer will tell you: the best way to learn is to look at somebody else's code. It helps if the source code is clearly designed, clearly written, commented, well documented.

C by Dissection does just that, by describing a concept, showing you example source for a program that puts that concept into practice, THEN, unlike so many other books, going over the example almost line-by-line, to explain what's going on, and why. Too many programming books briefly describe the concept, list a hundred or more lines of source code, then move on. This book walks you through the code and shows you both theory and practice.

The only regret I have about C by Dissection is that there isn't a companion volume, Advanced C by Dissection, or perhaps Data Structures and Algorithms (in C) by Dissection.

Note that two of the worst reviews above are from an experienced C/C++ programmer and from a Cobol programmer (presumably very experienced; I don't know many young Cobol programmers coming into the industry these days). I'm not surprised they didn't like the way C by Dissection approaches the topic. I'm not a beginner anymore (I read this book in 1992) but I still like this approach best - I came across this book on Amazon because I was hoping to find "Java by Dissection" by Kelly and Pohl! :-)