Customer Reviews

Learn C on the Macintosh (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is a new (February 2005) edition of this book available as a PDF from Spiderworks. It's an update for OS X, using the XCode software that comes free with OS X. Otherwise, the book is unchanged, including a few minor errors carried through from the 1995 edition. I don't know of any other resource for learning C on the Mac, but I don't hesitate to recommend it. It could use more programming exercises; I recommend supplementing it with Oualline's "Practical C Programming". After you've done this, read the ObjectiveC primer that comes with XCode and use a Cocoa programming book by Hillegas or Anguish.

I have to admit, this book was very good at teaching me the concepts of programming (structures, pointers, variables, algorithm design, etc) but for learning the C language it was terrible. Very little Macintosh programming is covered at all, it's just the dry ANSI C. Needless to say, I did not know how to program after using this book. However, it was a useful guide (albeit a bit confusing at times) to learning the basics of programming.

This book is an excellent source to begin learning the C language on the Macintosh. I wholly recommend pairing this book up with Metrowerks Codewarrior Discover Programming Edition and Macintosh Programming for Dummies to get the most out of it. When you finish this book you'll be begging for more and you'll find it in his other books: Learn C++ on the Macintosh and Macintosh C Programming Primer: Inside the Toolbox Vol 1. Excellent teacher.

First, I have the greatest admiration for Dave Mark; his "Mac Programming Primer" books are THE way to learn the Mac Toolbox. The problem with THIS book is that, like other programming geniuses, Dave has forgotten what it's like to know NOTHING about programming. He moves very rapidly and arbitrarily (e.g, he covers pointers BEFORE scanf !) and doesn't bother to explain many things that are second nature to him, but opaque to most people who have not programmed before.

C is a terrible first programming language to learn anyway; it's far better to learn Basic, Pascal, or one of the visual object languages, and switch to C later. My perspective comes from teaching programming for over a dozen years to liberal arts students with little experience, 90% of whom would be hopelessly lost using this book alone.

It's also true that a small percentage of "computer-science-major-type" people have a natural talent for programming, and for them this book is excellent. If you're that kind of person, definitely get this book. If not, be warned. If you already bought this book and wonder what's wrong with you because most reviews say it's easy but you're stumped, take heart; try some Basic or Pascal first, and go through it again SLOWLY. Most of those reviews are from programming geniuses !-)

If you don't have any programming experience and you would like to learn the C language on your Macintosh, this is the best book to get. The second edition includes a CD-ROM with all of the source code in the book, and a 'light' version of Codewarrior for 68K and PowerPC Macs. Dave Mark does an excellent job of teaching you everything you need to know, including the basic concepts of programming. To get the most out of the book, read through it carefully and then read through it again, so that you begin to piece together C concepts as a whole. I would also suggest getting "The C Programming Language" and/or "C: A Reference Manual" since Dave's book doesn't pretend to be a reference manual.

Now this is what a programming book for the mac is supposed to be! From the beginning this book takes you on a tour introducing you to the mac and how to program it, with useful source code and good exsamples.

The only minor about this book is the fact it`s nearly 6 years old, but it`s not a big problem. It`s well written, and I can absolutely recommend it to everyone.

Many people have complained about Dave Mark's inability to think like a begginer. This is all wrong. I did NOT know anything about the C language, nor Perl, Basic, or any other language. If it was not for Dave Mark's encouraging manner, I could not have learned these basic skills (I know this because other books/web matterial felt like I was listning to a brick). The book comes with a CD that is packed with game demos, source code, and other apps you can find usefull.

Buy this book if you know nothing of the C language. But, if you know the very basics (like creating functions, poiters, globals ect.) buy something else because this book does not cover anything like creating windows or menues.

This book can teach you C in about twenty days. Dave makes it real easy for you to learn C, and goes over things several times, just to make sure you understand every thing he went over. In a casual pace -without hurrying- Dave takes you over the basics of C. The book also comes with a lot of example coads, that he goes through, step by step, in the book. If you have the will to learn C, and have a Macintosh, this books for you!

For all those people that wonder how computer applications work, and how those big companies actually create them, this will solve your endevours. Throught comprehensive and reader-friendly writing, Dave Mark delivers the most complete basics for easy Macintosh programming available. The book/CD-Rom package contains all the needed material and information to begin creating your own Macintosh platform applications.

Even better, since the C language core is the same thing on all major computer platforms, learning this language will give you a competitive edge on UNIX, DOS, and other computer platforms.

If you have no idea what programming is, wan't to know how to ultimately utilize your computer's abilities, and like a good laugh, buy this book!

I've been a mainframe programmer for more than 13 years and this book has been a great inspiration for me to learn Mac/PC programming! Dave Mark's relaxed writing style makes it easy to read and understand. If you don't understand any particular part, it is very easy to browse through the chapters and find the section that you need to re-read. I recommend this book to all beginning C programmers