Teach Yourself C [Paperback]

Herbert Schildt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0078823110 | ISBN-13: 978-0078823114 | Publication Date: April 1, 1997 | Edition: 3

The first two editions of "Teach Yourself C" were Osborne best-sellers, together selling over 100,000 copes. "Teach Yourself C" uses a proven "mastery" learning approach to one of the most difficult languages to learn. The book is structured in such a way that it provides objectives, followed by minimal discussion, and concise examples; it tests the reader's understanding with multiple exercises (answers provided in the back of the book). The book first tests understanding of individual concepts and then tests understanding of a given topic in a larger setting. If the reader goes through this process, he/she will gain mastery of the fundamentals of the C language. Some readers will pick up concepts by simply reading the sections and occasionally pouring over examples; others will closely study all examples. Some will try the exercises. Others will learn by reading through the answer section and some will do all of the exercises. The reader is given different options to learn the material, and thus control how they learn C.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Single Easiest Way to Learn C.

Best-selling programmer Herb Schildt has taught millions to program in today's most popular languages. Now in this third edition of the best-selling Teach Yourself C, his proven plan for success has been updated, expanded, and enhanced. There truly is no better way to learn C.

Written with Herb's uncompromising clarity and attention to detail, Teach Yourself C begins with the fundamentals, covers all the essentials, and concludes with a look at some of C's most advanced features. Along the way are plenty of practical examples, self-evaluation skill checks, and exercises. Answers to all exercises are at the back of the book, so you can easily check your progress.

Inside you will:

• Learn the structure of a C program
• Understand each of C's program control statements
• Examine data types, variables, and expressions
• Explore arrays and strings
• Learn about pointers
• Discover the power of functions
• Use console and file I/O
• Work with structures and unions
• Explore advanced data types and operators
• Gain insights into C's preprocessor
• Learn how C can be used to create Windows programs

Best of all, you'll learn with Schildt's proven "mastery" method: the highly effective yet versatile approach that has helped millions become skilled programmers. This approach lets you work at your own pace, in your own way. Even if you have found C confusing in the past, Schildt's clear, paced presentation will make even advanced topics easy to understand.

Because C forms the basis of C++, after completing Teach Yourself C, you will have the necessary foundation to advance to C++. When it comes to teaching C, Herb Schildt has it down to a science. And in this revised and updated bestseller, he reveals the formula that will make you a C programmer -- the quickest, easiest, and most effective way possible.

About the Author

Herbert Schildt is a world leading programming author. He is an authority on the C, C++, Java, and C# programming languages, and a master Windows programmer. His programming books have sold more than three million copies worldwide and have been translated into all major foreign languages. He is the author of numerous best sellers including C: The Complete Reference, Java 2: The Complete Reference, Java 2: A Beginner's Guide, C#: A Beginner's Guide, and many more. Schildt holds a master's degree in computer science from the University of Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 3 edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0078823110
• ISBN-13: 978-0078823114
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > C > Tutorials

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I ever found to learn C., July 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Teach Yourself C (Paperback)

I originally picked up the second edition of this book in early 1996. I was coming from Turbo Pascal, and needed an introductory too on C. Before this book I checked out a number of other C books from the library, and every one of them shared the same thing: they threw you right into a C program with little explanation. They did not start off basic. Every author expected you to know too much. Apparently they didn't realize they were writing a beginners book.

Herb did it in a very unique way. He started by showing you how to use printf, then showed you a VERY basic (but complete) program structure. He keeps building on that, showing numerous examples, and giving you practices. The best part of that is that the entire code for the tests is in the back of the book. No other author I've seen gives you the source for everything.

If it hadn't been for this book, I know I would not have learned C. I had given up on C because other authors did not explain things this clear. This book was the last one I read before I was ready to give up, and this is what got me started.

Of course, everyone has their favorites, some like Teach Yourself, Absolutely Beginners Guide, etc, but this is the only book I've ever found that lives up to its name.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for beginners, December 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Teach Yourself C (Paperback)

I have only started the first few chapters of this book, and I love it already! I had some minimal experience with Qbasic from high school, and after that nothing except "trying" to dabble in Perl, Javascript and Java without any success. After reading all the online tutorials I could find, I got frustrated and bought this book. In one evening's reading I have already tripled what I could gather from all other sources combined. I would also like to add that I like this approach better than the "C for Dummies" books - it doesn't assume you are stupid, just inexperienced.

One negative comment - he uses the phrase "Don't Worry" all the time. I keep saying to myself "Be happy" in my best Bobby McFerrin voice all the time in response. :-)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book for non programmers, October 14, 1998

By 

Sam Carleton (Cincinnati, OH, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teach Yourself C (Paperback)

This was the book that introduced me to programming. I have read though others since this one, but this was by far the best book for those that don't know how to program. It does only one thing, teach you the language of C. It does NOT teach you how to really put it to use. But if you don't fully understand the tool you are using, how can you put it to use. This book WILL teach you the language of C, after reading this book move onto the books that teach you how to use the language in the environment of your choice. This book will give you the foundation to allow you to focus on the concepts of programming discussed in other books rather then trying to learn both a language and how to use it.