C All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies (Paperback)

by Dan Gookin (Author) "Learning a programming language is like trying to eat an entire banquet in one bite: You have so much to swallow at once, even to..." (more)
Key Phrases: void peasoup, folder folderol, void dashes, Going Numb, Creating Your Own Functions, Sing of Strings (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
* Covers everything users need to get up to speed on C programming, including advanced topics to take their programming skill to the next level
* Walks C programmers through the entire development cycle of a C program-designing and developing the program, writing source code, compiling the code, linking the code to create the executable programs, debugging, and deployment
* Provides thorough coverage of keywords, program flow, conditional statements, constants and variables, numeric values, arrays, strings, functions, pointers, debugging, prototyping, and much more
* Addresses some advanced programming topics such as graphics and game programming as well as Windows and Linux programming
* Includes dozens of sample programs that readers can adapt and modify for their own uses
* Written by the author of the first-ever For Dummies book-a man known for his ability to take complex material and present it in a way that makes it simple and fun

From the Back Cover
6 books in 1 -- plus sample code on our companion Web site

From basics to advanced techniques, here’s your key to C programming!

No need to sing the blues -- every important note about C programming is in this handy desk reference! From keywords, functions, and operators to strings and random access files, one of these six minibooks has it covered. And, you’ll find that this book remains a handy reference long after you’ve become a virtuoso in C.

The Dummies Way

• Coverage of the essentials and beyond
• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Thumbtabs and other navigation aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Understand the C skeleton and source code
• Use conditional statements, constants and variables, strings, arrays, and functions
• Debug your code
• Program games and graphics
• Develop programs in Windows® and Linux®

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 840 pages
• Publisher: Wiley Publishing, Inc.; illustrated edition edition (September 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764570692
• ISBN-13: 978-0764570698
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #116,564 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #17 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > C > Language
  #80 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Introductory & Beginning > For Dummies - Programming

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great, great book about C, December 17, 2004

By	Ari Constancio "arifilipe" (Vila Nova de Gaia Portugal) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be a true learning experience. I had bought the "C for Dummies, 2nd ed." book before and needed a fast hands-on experience with the C language. Though I'm not a computer newbie (chemical engineering major), this book has made, I believe, as a smooth transition to C software development as it is possible with any book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a tad bit false advertised......, March 15, 2006

By	Tom Jenkins (Tennessee) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book and I learned a lot about programming with it. Dan seems to be a good author, and he takes you through it one step at a time.

On the back of the book it says:

1.Understand the C skeleton and source code
2.Use conditional statements, constants and variables, strings,
arrays, and functions
3.Debug your code
4.Program games and graphics
5.Develop programs in Windows® and Linux®


Umm... litle problem on number 4...

This book has some sample game source code, which is pretty decent, but it barely even touches on graphics! I have a little programming experience, so I got this book to strenghthen my knowledge of C and to get into some graphics programming... and I didn't find any!

Overall, this is a great book to begin learning, and/or solidifing your knowledge of, the C programming language.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent intro or review, October 17, 2006

By	David T. Perkins "mandodawg" (Columbia, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are a newcomer to C, buy this book. If you are a rusty veteran, like I was -- out of practice with C but wanting to get back in -- buy this book. Start at the beginning, work thru the exercises, and you'll get to a respectable level of sophistication very shortly. Gookin is methodical, thorough, and humorous (without being silly), and covers all the main issues in C including pointers (several good chapters on this one point :-), functions, structures, and linked lists. The examples he gives you to help you thru the coding exercises are clear and easy to follow, and should serve as handy models for you own coding in the future.

It doesn't hurt to have a copy of Kernigan & Richie to review the standard functions and header files as he covers them, and to ensure that you become familiar with the KR writ.