The Elements of C Programming Style (Paperback)

~ (Author), Alan Nash (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Elements of C Programming Style can serve as a foundation for producing C code that is readable (by humans), computationally efficient, and bug-free. This book offers the reader a large set of rules that cover every facet of C programming from flow control to "visual organization." While most programmers will not agree with every rule, they will still find value in these suggestions.

Product Description

Write lean, mean C code that screams. Give yourself a competitive edge with over 100 tested rules of thumb for producing clear, concise, elegantly coded C programs. In The Elements of C Programming Style, by Jay Ranade and Alan Nash, you get savvy insider programming techniques and shortcuts seasoned pros use to unify coding practices, enforce high-quality standards and keep development teams focused. Regardless of your experience, you'll see how to exploit: little-known coding tricks to save days of programming time; powerful C Libary features to help you work more effectively; key design rules even the most experienced programmers overlook; often neglected testing routines that catch bugs before they hatch; foolproof debugging methods; master-programmer techniques for optimizing speed, memory and readability; best ways to utilize comments, data objects, numbers and I/O; expert guidelines for maximizing expressions, statements, functions, parameters, arrays, pointers and the preprocessor; much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Computing Mcgraw-Hill (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070512787
• ISBN-13: 978-0070512788
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,682,905 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really liked this book..., February 20, 1998

By	James Moliere (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was very readable and concise. It gave small sample code throughout the book and included helpful macros for debugging. I recommend this book to anyone who understands C code but is unsatisfied with how readable thier code is. This book is like a grammar book for those who want to write more concise and clear code.

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential guidance for C/C++/Java programming, August 25, 1998

By	Conrad H. Weisert (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Many of the short articles in this book could form the basis for C programming standards of a project team or a whole organization. 95% of the authors' recommended techniques are beyond controversy. The perceptive reader will notice a few, however, that conflict with modern practice in C++ and Java (e.g. mixing boolean and integer expressions).

Every programmer using C, C++, or Java should be acquainted with everything in this book and either comply with it or have a good reason for not doing so.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, balanced look at the topic. Excellent tips., February 19, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews

This book goes beyond simple rules and gives sound reasons (and drawbacks) for each element of style it show.