Programming in C (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Stephen G. Kochan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0672326663 | ISBN-13: 978-0672326660 | Edition: 3

Learn the C programming language from one of the best. Stephen Kochan's Programming in C is thorough with easy-to-follow instructions that are sure to benefit beginning programmers. This book provides readers with practical examples of how the C programming language can be used with small, fast programs, similar to the programming used by large game developers such as Nintendo. If you want a one-stop-source for C programming, this book is it.The book is appropriate for all introductory-to-intermediate courses on programming in the C language, including courses covering C programming for games and small-device platforms.

Programming in C, Third Edition is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of Steven Kochan's classic C programming tutorial: a book that has helped thousands of students master C over the past twenty years. This edition fully reflects the latest C standard and contains current source code. It has been crafted to help students master C regardless of the platform they intend to use or the applications they intend to create -- including small-device and gaming applications, where C's elegance and speed make it especially valuable.

Kochan begins with the fundamentals, then covers every facet of C language programming: variables, data types, arithmetic expressions, program looping, making decisions, arrays, functions, structures, character strings, pointers, operations on bits, the preprocessors, I/O, and more. Coverage also includes chapters on working with larger programs; debugging programs; and the fundamentals of object-oriented programming. Appendices include a complete language summary, an introduction to the Standard C Library, coverage of compiling and running programs using gcc, common programming mistakes, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Over two hundred thousand readers agree that Stephen Kochan is among the elite of programming book authors.

The powerful and easy-to-learn C language is still among the most popular programming languages available, especially among game and small device programmers.

Programming in C, Third Edition has been thoroughly updated to the most recent C standard with current source code examples.

Programming in C, Third Edition is a revised edition of a classic programming title. Author Stephen Kochan's style and thorough explanations have earned him a place among the most respected of computer book authors. Although the C programming language hasn't undergone any major changes, it's enjoying new life among game programmers and small device programmers, where its simple elegance makes it the ideal choice for small fast programs. Large game developers, such as Nintendo, use C almost exclusively. This edition combines the time-tested instructional style of Stephen Kochan with updated and relevant examples.

About the Author

Stephen Kochan has been developing software with the C programming language for over 20 years. He is the author and coauthor of several bestselling titles on the C language, including Programming in C, Programming in ANSI C, Topics in C Programming and several Unix titles, including Exploring the Unix System, Unix Shell Programming and Unix System Security. Mr. Kochan's most recent title, Programming in Objective-C, is a tutorial on an object-oriented programming language that is based on C.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Sams; 3 edition (July 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672326663
• ISBN-13: 978-0672326660
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > C & C++ Windows Programming

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, March 23, 2005

By 

Nuey (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Programming in C (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

I was still left scratching my head after having read twice and attempting the problems in K&R. Literally, I was excited as I read Kochan's book. His presentation is so clear, with the right balance of explanation and examples without being too wordy/vague/simplistic? (SAMS C in 21 Days) or too terse (K&R).

This book is an excellent introduction to C language (covering all the fundamentals and then some) with some consideration on good programming practices. I'm happy to see they've released a new edition.

After Kochan definitely consider any or all of the following:

C Traps and Pitfalls, Expert C Programming, C Companion, C Puzzle Book, and Memory as a Programming Concept in C/C++. Cheers!

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Programming page turner, August 28, 2004

By 

Todd Wilder "Serious Student" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming in C (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

As someone who is very familiar with programming logic using VBA but who has never stepped foot near C or C++, i found this book to be a great book. Technical books can quickly turn into fire kindling if there details that are not fully explained, but so far I have not found a single character of code that is not explained in the book. The book also manages to not be a "Bible" on C, it only presents key programming tools and common, practical programs. An awesome book for both beginners and those who are familiar with programming and simply need the C vocabulary

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise Crystal Clear -- 5 Big Shiny Stars, March 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Programming in C (Hayden books C library) (Paperback)

I found this book indispensable both to learn C and to learn a way of thinking about C. The author uses a well selected and deliberately sequenced set of program examples to thoroughly demonstrate what's going on. These programs are developed and modified from one chapter to the next to show different features of the language. I even have better insight, now, into a few mathematics concepts that I've always had trouble with because of the author's excellent presentation of these concepts using C language -- truly amazing. The writing style is logical, well-paced and consistent -- I never found myself trying to guess what the author meant -- which is pretty incredible with most computer books these days. And after reading the book in its entirety, I was able to see that the whole work was planned to succeed by the thoughtful cohesion of supporting elements (like a good program) rather than thrown together to succeed by sheer force of volume (like, say, a Microsoft product?). The best chapter on C functions that I've read anywhere. Possibly the best introductory book on C in my opinion.