C by Example (Cambridge Computer Science Texts) [Paperback]

Noel Kalicharan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521456509 | ISBN-13: 978-0521456500 | Publication Date: November 25, 1994

At present, C is one of the most popular programming languages. It is not only flexible, but efficient and highly portable, and is now used for writing many different kinds of programs, from compilers and assemblers to spreadsheets and games. Assuming only familiarity with basic programming concepts such as variables and looping, this book covers all aspects of the C language, including a detailed look at file handling and pointers. The text is self-contained and contains a wealth of examples and exercises that test the understanding of the concepts developed in each chapter. Anybody who wishes to come to grips with the art of programming in C will find this a most valuable book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...provides a good introduction to programming in C." Michael Marcotty, Computing Reviews

Book Description

The popular programming language is now used for writing many different kinds of programs, from compilers and assemblers to spreadsheets and games. Assuming only familiarity with basic programming concepts such as variables and looping, this text covers all aspects of the C language.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 25, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521456509
• ISBN-13: 978-0521456500
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,698,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive text for learning the C language, May 30, 1999

By 

D. Stewart ([e-mail]) (Central Coast, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C by Example (Cambridge Computer Science Texts) (Paperback)

At first glance you may easily dismiss this book; featuring a rather dull cover; size that is dwarfed by the more "popular" C books - do not be fooled! This is an excellent text for learning about the C language.

Admittedly, if you're new to programming in general, then this book may seem a little difficult. For instance the first chapter launches straight into a discussion of C idioms: keywords, variables, operators etc. If these are foreign to you I would recommend you also buy an introductory programming text, then return to this book when you understand these concepts.

These assumptions aside, Kalicharan clearly and concisely discusses control structures and arrays, functions, character handling, data types, input/output and more. The concepts of each chapter are thoroughly explained and incorporated into numerous programming examples.

Indeed this is one of the strongest points of the book. In particular I liked the way Kalicharan introduces the three programming constructs; conditional execution, looping and iteration first, BEFORE discussing for example, the printf statement like most other C books do - which can be highly confusing to the novice C programmer. (Kalicharan leaves it until chapter 9). Thus a strong grounding in the fundamentals of programming is emphasised from the very start and is a consistent theme revisted throughout the book.

Unlike other C books, Kalicharan gives a brilliant discussion of pointers. What is dismissed as "too hard" in other texts is covered with ease and again, numerous examples to illustrate. For this chapter alone, one should buy this book.

Following the chapter on pointers is a good introduction to "advanced" data structures, linked lists and binary trees. These are left out of most other C books, bar those dealing with data structures specifically (university texts etc) but it is here that the power of the C language becomes apparent.

Topping off the book is a chapter in file handling. Text and binary files are discussed.

The range of topics, clarity of expression and *working* examples (I compiled every program in the book without error...) makes this book an essential addition to any C programmer's library. I hope another book from this talented author is on the way soon! (How about Java or C++?)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to the C programming language., July 16, 1998

By 

Stewart C. Russell ([e-mail]) (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C by Example (Cambridge Computer Science Texts) (Paperback)

This book gets the C beginner understanding complex data structures quickly. It has the best description of pointers (one of the pitfalls for C beginners) I have ever read.

If I'd bought this C book first, I probably wouldn't have bought any of the others. A very good book; strongly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good reference for new programmers, June 6, 2002

By 

Mokhtar M. Khorshid "Mokhtar M. Khorshid" - See all my reviews

This review is from: C by Example (Cambridge Computer Science Texts) (Hardcover)

This book is one of the best books explaining ANSI C. It starts from the newbie level and delivers the knowledge needed for any good C programmer to survive.

The writing style is very nice, the author has done some fine efforts in keeping his threads of thought clear and easy to follow.

For people who already know C, this is also good as a quick reference and is something concise to quickly refer to, in small issues. They could also just use it to quickly refresh their knowledge of C every once in a while.

It doesn't cover any advanced topics, but it does what it promises to do, so there's nothing serious to put this book down.

This book could have helped me greatly when I was just starting to learn C programming, but it didn't... Just because I only bought it too late, at the end of my C programming days!

-Mokhtar M. Khorshid